In a week packed with Hollywood news, streaming shakeups, and a flurry of Emmy nominations, HBO Max has managed to keep its grip on pop culture with a slate of acclaimed series and headline-grabbing industry developments. As the entertainment world buzzes with speculation over a potential new mega-company, PSKYWBD, and beloved creators like Neil Druckmann clarify their roles in hit franchises, viewers are left wondering: is this the dawn of a new era for television, or just another twist in the ongoing saga of Hollywood reinvention?
On September 12, 2025, Sean McNulty reported a series of notable developments in the Hollywood and media landscape. Among the more nostalgic tidbits—like the NHL’s Washington Capitals bringing back paper tickets for the fall season—were signals of deeper shifts. The Hamptons Film Festival announced its full lineup, opening October 3 with A24’s much-anticipated Eternity, while SNL fans braced for the departure of Ego Nwodim, hoping for one last appearance from her beloved character Miss Eggy.
But the biggest tremors came from behind the scenes, as rumors swirled about the imminent arrival of PSKYWBD, a potential entertainment behemoth poised to reshape the global landscape of movies, streaming, news, and TV. According to McNulty, “this move, if it comes to fruition, would make our business rather unrecognizable from what it looked like just 5 to 7 years ago.” The implications for jobs across Hollywood’s many departments remain unclear, but one thing is certain: the late 2020s could mark an era of consolidation and reinvention that leaves little untouched.
Meanwhile, the appetite for premium content shows no signs of waning. HBO Max, in particular, continues to deliver a mix of new releases and enduring favorites that keep viewers glued to their screens. Among the latest standouts is Task, a limited series from Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby. The show stars Tom Pelphrey as a morally complex thief and Mark Ruffalo as the FBI agent determined to catch him. Critics have praised Task for its character-driven storytelling and tense, empathetic portraits, drawing comparisons to both Mare of Easttown and Michael Mann’s classic film Heat. As Liam Mathews put it, “Ingelsby keeps tension at a maximum while still finding room to sketch out empathetic portraits of just about every character.”
HBO Max’s lineup doesn’t stop there. The platform’s roster includes everything from the superhero satire Peacemaker—with John Cena reprising his role from The Suicide Squad—to the true crime documentary The Yogurt Shop Murders, which revisits a haunting 1991 case in Austin, Texas. There’s also the enduring appeal of Sex and the City and its sequel And Just Like That..., the reality challenge of Back to the Frontier, and the period intrigue of The Gilded Age.
Yet, perhaps no title looms larger on the HBO Max landscape than The Last of Us. Based on the acclaimed PlayStation games, the show has become a cultural phenomenon, lauded as both the best video game adaptation ever and one of the most acclaimed dramas on television. Season 1 followed Joel and Ellie’s harrowing journey through a post-apocalyptic America, while the recently Emmy-nominated Season 2 (with a staggering 16 nominations) introduced new characters and deeper emotional stakes.
As fans eagerly await the next chapter, series co-creator Neil Druckmann set the record straight on his involvement in the show’s future. Despite stepping down as co-showrunner before work began on Season 3, Druckmann confirmed to Variety that he will “still be involved at a high level.” Addressing concerns about creative fidelity, he stated, “My hope for season three, and what I’d like to think I can best contribute to it, is to make sure it’s as deeply faithful as season one was.” Druckmann explained his decision, noting, “It felt like I could better serve all of my responsibilities if I stayed at a higher level. It was quite challenging to be as involved as a co-showrunner on Season 1 and Season 2, while running a studio and working and directing and writing a game.”
While HBO has yet to officially announce the plot for Season 3, all signs point to a focus on the “Seattle Day One” segment of The Last of Us Part 2 game. This arc centers on Abby’s story and the conflict between the Washington Liberation Front and the Seraphites, promising new perspectives and emotional depth. Fans can expect explorations of Abby’s past, her relationship with her father, and her time within the WLF. For now, the official details remain under wraps, but anticipation is already sky-high.
Of course, HBO Max’s appeal extends far beyond a single hit. The platform’s ever-evolving library includes everything from the animated satire Common Side Effects to the period drama The Gilded Age, the action-packed Duster, and the travel antics of Conan O’Brien Must Go. There’s something for every taste and mood, whether you’re after the dark comedy of The Righteous Gemstones, the social experiment of The Rehearsal, or the superhero hijinks of Harley Quinn.
Not to be overlooked, the business side of entertainment is also in flux. The opening weekend of NFL games saw linear TV ad spending hit $357 million, according to ISPOT, with Verizon leading in impressions. Meanwhile, grocery prices surged by 0.6% in August—the highest jump since August 2022—driven by steep increases in staples like coffee (up 21%) and steak (up 16%). While these economic pressures may not directly impact what viewers watch, they form part of the broader context in which Hollywood’s latest moves are unfolding.
As the industry stands on the brink of possible upheaval—with PSKYWBD looming as a potential game-changer and beloved creators like Druckmann navigating new roles—the only certainty seems to be change itself. Yet, amid all the uncertainty, audiences can still count on HBO Max and its peers to deliver the stories, characters, and worlds that keep us coming back for more. Whether it’s a gritty crime drama, a post-apocalyptic odyssey, or a nostalgic return to New York’s high society, television in 2025 remains as vibrant and unpredictable as ever.
