HBO has recently made a strategic decision regarding the popular show “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” The premium cable network is now delaying the posting of segments from the show on YouTube, opting to hold them back for a few days after the episodes premiere. This change is aimed at driving more viewership to HBO Max, the network’s streaming platform.
John Oliver, the host of “Last Week Tonight,” expressed his disappointment with the change in a post on X on Monday afternoon. He explained that HBO has decided to wait until Thursday to post the segments to YouTube, contrary to the previous practice of uploading the main story the morning after an episode aired. Despite his dissatisfaction, Oliver directed viewers to watch the show on HBO, on Max, and on YouTube in a few days.
HBO’s decision comes as the network aims to boost viewership on HBO Max, its streaming service. According to an HBO spokesperson, the delay in posting segments on YouTube is part of an effort to encourage fans to watch the entire show on Max. The spokesperson noted that when “Last Week Tonight” premiered on HBO, the convenience of watching on Max did not exist, so YouTube provided flexible viewing for the main story as well as promotional exposure. However, with the availability of Max, HBO is now focusing on directing viewers to the streaming platform.
The move to delay segments on YouTube marks a shift in strategy for HBO, which has previously utilized the platform to reach a broader audience. The Last Week Tonight YouTube channel boasts more than 9 million subscribers, and segments from the show posted there typically garner millions of views. As of Monday afternoon, the most recent video on the channel was a season 11 trailer from two weeks ago, indicating the new approach to segment uploads.
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While the delay in posting segments may disappoint some fans who are accustomed to watching on YouTube, HBO’s decision reflects a broader trend in the industry toward prioritizing streaming platforms. As the battle for viewership intensifies, networks are increasingly leveraging their streaming services to drive engagement and loyalty among viewers.