HBO's Casey Bloys on a Triumphant Emmys Night, 'The Pitt' Success, and the Future of Television Post-Merger

As the dust settles on this year's Emmy nominations, HBO's head honcho Casey Bloys couldn't be more thrilled. With a whopping 122 nods for HBO Max, including standout performances by 'The Pitt' and 'Hacks,' it seems the streaming giant has once again proven its dominance in the industry. But with Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery looming on the horizon, there's a sense of uncertainty about the future of HBO – and whether Bloys will continue to steer the ship next Emmys season. For now, though, the mastermind behind hits like 'Game of Thrones' is relishing in his team's victory. In an exclusive chat with us, Bloys discussed everything from the groundbreaking success of 'The Pitt,' record-breaking nominations for 'Hacks,' and the surprising surge of 'DTF St. Louis.' He also touched on the disappointing snub of 'Half Man' and the futures of nominees like 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' and 'It: Welcome to Derry.' And, of course, he addressed the rumors about his own future with the company. "It's been 10 years since I took over this position," Bloys shared. "And today, I'm celebrating a fantastic validation for our team, who have shown an incredible ability to develop, produce and collaborate. Emmys may not be the only measure of success, but they certainly are a great indicator of quality." Bloys went on to express his admiration for 'The Pitt' creators Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello, who managed to end their show after five seasons on a high note. "They've shown us how it's done," he praised. "And we are excited to see what they do next." But what exactly will that be? Bloys wouldn't spill the beans just yet, but he did share that he has some ideas about their future projects. "We're lucky to be in business with them, and I have no doubt that whatever they come up with will be equally impressive," he teased. While 'Heated Rivalry' may not have snagged as many nominations as some predicted, Bloys is still proud of the Canadian production's success at its equivalent Canadian Emmy awards. "We're thrilled to have it on our platform, and we're looking forward to Season 2," he confirmed. But perhaps one of the most exciting moments for Bloys was the recognition received by 'DTF St. Louis.' "It is an incredibly original show that goes deep into male friendship – something you don't see a lot of in television," he said. "Steve Conrad is an extremely talented writer, director, and thinker, and I couldn't be happier for him and the cast." Richard Gadd's nomination for his extraordinary performance in 'DTF' was another high point for Bloys, who expressed a desire to work with the actor again in the future. "He is an uncompromising talent, and I'm incredibly proud of the show," he said. Bloys also praised 'Half Man' for its originality, acknowledging that while the Emmy gods didn't smile upon it this year, he remains proud of the association with creator Steve Conrad and the BBC. There were a few snubs in the nominations, most notably Zendaya and Sam Levinson for 'Euphoria.' But Bloys took it in stride, expressing pride in the work they produced together. "Zendaya is an incredible talent, and we're thrilled she was recognized," he said. "But that's how Emmys go sometimes." Bloys expressed equal excitement for Lisa Kudrow's nomination for 'Hacks,' praising her portrayal of a comedian struggling to stay relevant in a changing industry as one of the most original characters on television. As for the future of HBO and Bloys' role within it, the executive remained tight-lipped, acknowledging that there's not much he can say about the upcoming merger with Paramount Skydance. But he did express pride in his team and their achievements over the past 10 years – something he plans to hold on to no matter what the future holds. "I couldn't be more proud of this team," Bloys said. "We've produced some truly groundbreaking shows, from 'Game of Thrones' to 'The Pitt' to 'Hacks.' I hope we can keep this group intact and continue creating the kind of television that challenges us, excites us, and pushes boundaries." Whatever lies ahead for HBO, one thing is clear: Casey Bloys will be leading the charge. And with a team like his, there's no doubt they'll continue to deliver must-watch television for years to come.