HBO Case Study

February 28, 2023

  A popular show on HBO is Rick and Morty which was released on June 4, 2021. This show followed a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his timid grandson on dangerous adventures across the universe. Rick and Morty has received a large amount of positive reviews and grossed $154 million worldwide. Their budget was $24 million, beating Sausage Party’s record for the highest grossing R-rated film of all time. Each episode of the show was around $1.2-$1.5 million to make. Not only has the series received two Annie Awards, but also has several times been the most viewed television comedy of adults. The highest grossing show on HBO however was The White Lotus. This show follows various guests and employees of a resort chain whose stays become affected by their various dysfunctions. This show was almost all filmed inside due to Covid-19 and never exceeded a budget of $3 million per episode. The White Lotus saw an increase of 1.3 million viewers from the 1.5 million who watched the season 2 premiere in October. Currently, it is sitting in the No. 1 spot on HBO Max. Since much of the show was shot inside the Four Seasons hotel, the show did very well under the circumstances. While the first season premiered on July 11, 2021, a second more profitable season premiered on October 30, 2022. The American Film Institute even named it one of the ten best television programs of 2021 and 2022.