WBD Focusing on Franchises, Platform-Agnostic Content

At the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Upfront presentation, the group underscored its focus on expanding its global franchises and developing new shows that are platform-agnostic, with the aim of driving linear ratings and engagement on Max.

The company revealed that John Cena will host Discovery’s 36th annual Shark Week, set to kick off on July 7. Food Network is also developing a baking competition based on the Harry Potter franchise, entitled Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking.

The upcoming Shark Week event will include the next chapter in the hit show Belly of the Beast Pt. 2, as well as Monster Hammerhead: Species X and Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood. Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking will see pastry chefs create themed desserts.

TLC’s 90 Day: The Last Resort will be back for season two in a new location this winter.

The show Fatal Destination, narrated and executive produced by Jessica Biel, will debut in 2025. Also in 2025, the brand-new Chateau Impossible will bow on HGTV.

The Flip Off, featuring Flip or Flop‘s Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall, will see the former spouses and their new partners compete to see which pair can find, buy, renovate and flip a house for the biggest financial gain. The series is set to launch in early 2025.

The second season of OWN’s Love & Marriage: Detroit is set to premiere on July 27.

Bobby Flay and his titans Tiffany Derry, Michael Voltaggio and Brooke Williamson will return for a third season of Food Network’s Bobby’s Triple Threat on June 18, while on July 8, BBQ Brawl will come back with Flay, Sunny Anderson and series newcomer Voltaggio. Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown will premiere this November.

Rick and Morty: The Anime, a new series from the world of Rick and Morty, is also in development.

Additionally, The Batman, Dune and Black Adam are set to land soon on Big Ticket Movies on TNT.

“We are the most powerful creators of unscripted content across platforms and places,” said Kathleen Finch, chairman and CEO of U.S. networks at WBD. “We draw the biggest collective audience in cable and provide an unparalleled way to reach consumers in a trusted environment. Our shows, franchises and brands continue to deliver value to consumers and advertisers on linear and on Max. Regardless of how or where they watch, viewers come to WBD for our addictive content. Only at WBD could we bring one of the biggest action stars face-to-face with the ocean’s biggest predators as John Cena hosts this year’s Shark Week and also travel to Hogwarts in an innovative new way.”