HBO Bumps ‘Industry’s Last 2 Episodes To 10 PM To Accommodate ‘The Penguin’; Should Fans Be Worried?

HBO‘s Industry is shifting from 9 PM to 10 PM on the linear network for the last two episodes of its current third season on Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. (The episodes will continue to drop at 9 PM on Max.)

Industry is moving to make room for new DC drama The Penguin, the first of several big-budget, IP-driven upcoming Max series that recently became HBO originals. Because of the unusual circumstances, The Penguin‘s run overlaps with that of Industry. Because of The Penguin‘s high profile, the drama starring Colin Farrell is getting HBO’s tentpole 9 PM slot, bumping the finance ensemble to 10 PM.

Back in the heyday of linear TV, if a show’s time slot is downgraded before the end of its run, that meant an almost certain death. Those days are long gone, and Industry‘s move is not a sign of HBO losing confidence in it. The HBO/BBC series, which has been discovered by new viewers as it draws increasing comparisons to the Emmy-winning Succession, continues to look good for a Season 4 renewal, I hear. Decision is expected soon.

Industry hit an audience record with the third episode of Season 3, raking in 370,000 cross-platform viewers, according to Nielsen and Warner Bros. Discovery internal viewing figures.

In a recent interview with Deadline, co-creator Mickey Down teased “massive” last two episodes and said that “we have a really good Season 4 idea.”