HBO Surprises Fans by Renewing 3 Hit Shows After Cutting 4 Last Year

HBO and HBO Max fans are starting 2026 with plenty of reasons to celebrate. Even though the year is just getting started, the network has already made several announcements about which shows will be coming back and which ones won’t.

Industry sources report that 2026 is shaping up much better than last year for the streaming service. In 2025, the network canceled four shows, including the comedy The Franchise after only one season. This year, however, the news is mostly positive, with three major renewals happening in the first few weeks.

On January 30, HBO confirmed that the late-night comedy It’s Florida, Man will return for a third season. The show has gained a following by taking bizarre real-life news stories from Florida and bringing them to life with actors performing based on interviews with the actual people involved.

Earlier in the month, the medical drama The Pitt, starring Noah Wyle, was renewed for a third season on January 7. This announcement came just as the second season was about to premiere, showing how much confidence the network has in the show.

Fans of the political talk show Real Time with Bill Maher also got some long-term good news. On January 7, HBO renewed the show for two more seasons, which means it will continue airing through 2028.

Looking back to the end of 2025, there were other exciting updates as well. The hockey drama Heated Rivalry was renewed for a second season in mid-December. The show tells the story of two rival players, Shane and Ilya, who unexpectedly fall in love while competing at the top level of professional hockey.

Another renewal came in early December for the drama Rage, which follows five women who each face high-pressure situations that bring them to a breaking point.

Big news for Game of Thrones fans came late last year. House of the Dragon will return for a fourth season, which the network confirmed will be the final chapter for the Targaryens. The newer spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, was also renewed for a second season even before its first season aired.

Other shows that recently got the green light include Mark Ruffalo’s crime drama Task and Tim Robinson’s dark comedy The Chair Company, both renewed for second seasons in November. Rachel Sennott’s comedy I Love LA, which follows a group of friends navigating life in Los Angeles, was also picked up for a second season around the same time.

Overall, it seems HBO is coming back stronger after a rough year of cancellations. With a mix of returning favorites and new projects on the horizon, fans can look forward to a busy 2026 filled with plenty of fresh content.

Do you think HBO is making the right choices with these renewals? Which shows are you most excited to see continue? Share your thoughts in the comments.