The new horror series IT: Welcome to Derry has quickly become a major success for HBO Max. After just three episodes, the show’s viewership numbers have secured it a place in the platform’s history books, ranking among the most successful new series ever to debut on the service.
A Record-Breaking Debut Season
The first season of IT: Welcome to Derry is officially one of the top three freshman seasons in the history of HBO Max. The series is averaging 9.2 million viewers per episode in the United States. When looking at global audiences, the show is drawing close to 15 million viewers per episode. This strong performance places it in an elite group of HBO Max original series for a debut season.
The show’s success was clear from its very first episode. The premiere on October 26, 2025 attracted 5.7 million U.S. viewers across HBO’s linear channel and the HBO Max streaming platform within its first three days. This made it the third-biggest series premiere in the platform’s history, only behind the massive debuts of “House of the Dragon” and “The Last of Us.” The third episode, which aired in early November, maintained a very strong audience, drawing nearly 5 million viewers in the same three-day window.
The Creative Team Behind the Scares
IT: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the hit movies “It” (2017) and “It Chapter Two” (2019). The series was developed by Andy Muschietti, who directed the two films, and his sister Barbara Muschietti through their Double Dream production company. Andy Muschietti also directed multiple episodes of the series.
Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane worked as co-showrunners on the project. Fuchs also wrote the first episode. The series sees Bill Skarsgård return to his iconic, terrifying role as the shape-shifting clown Pennywise.
A Strong Night for HBO
The show is part of a powerful Sunday night lineup for HBO that has seen several new series find an audience. Alongside Welcome to Derry, the new comedy “The Chair Company” from Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin has become the top freshman comedy season ever on HBO Max, averaging 3 million U.S. viewers per episode.
Another comedy, “I Love L.A.” from Rachel Sennott and Emma Barrie, has also shown growth. Its second episode saw viewership increase by 12% compared to its premiere, with the season averaging 1.4 million U.S. viewers.
The Road Ahead for the Series
The first season of IT: Welcome to Derry consists of eight episodes. New episodes air on Sundays, with the season finale scheduled for December 14, 2025. The producers have previously mentioned a plan for a three-season story, though HBO has not yet officially announced a renewal for a second season. The exceptional early viewership provides a strong case for the series to continue.
The show expands on the world of Stephen King’s classic 1986 novel. Set in the 1960s, decades before the events of the popular films, it explores the darker history of the town of Derry and the ancient evil that lurks beneath it. The story introduces new characters, including the Hanlon family, who must confront the town’s nightmares when a child goes missing.
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