Global It: Welcome to Derry : Where It Streams + Episode Guide
Intro
In 2026, We don’t just see a horror prequel; I see the strategic alignment of a major studio’s IP, a cultural tentpole designed to drive subscriptions.
The holiday season is usually dominated by feel-good fluff, but Warner Bros. Discovery is throwing a massive, terrifying counter-program into the mix with Welcome to Derry.
Global IT: Welcome to Derry
This is not a Netflix drop. This is premium, high-octane horror, and the studio is treating it as an event-series to anchor their Max (or equivalent international partner) platform.
Platform & Availability
| Region | Primary Streaming Platform | TV Channel (if applicable) | Release Schedule |
| United States | Max (formerly HBO Max) | HBO (Sundays, 9 PM ET) | Weekly (Sundays: Oct 26 – Dec 14, 2025) |
| United Kingdom | NOW | Sky Atlantic | Weekly (Mondays: Next-day rollout) |
| Canada | Crave | N/A | Weekly (Mirrors US timing) |
| Australia | Max | N/A | Weekly (Next-day rollout) |
The Asset Release & Episode Guide (Season 1 – 8 Episodes)
The show is a prequel set in 1962, exploring Pennywise’s earlier cycle and diving deep into the Stephen King book lore (like the Black Spot and a young Dick Hallorann).
| Episode Title | US Release Date (Sunday) | The Strategic Value |
| 1. The Pilot | October 26, 2025 | The Hook: Establishes the new core cast and the 1962 dread. |
| 2. The Thing in the Dark | October 31, 2025 (Early Drop) | The Halloween Spike: Strategic early drop to dominate the holiday conversation. |
| 3. Now You See It | November 9, 2025 | The Build-Up: Moves past the pilot shock into deeper character fear. |
| 4. The Great Swirling Apparatus… | November 16, 2025 | Mid-Season Pivot: The mythology deepens; stakes are amplified. |
| 5. 29 Neibolt Street | November 23, 2025 | IP Crossover: A direct nod to the iconic location from the IT films. |
| 6. In the Name of the Father | November 30, 2025 | The Slow Burn: Focus on lore and Dick Hallorann’s descent. |
| 7. The Black Spot | December 7, 2025 | The Catastrophe: Unleashes long-dormant forces, setting up the finale. |
| 8. Winter Fire (Finale) | December 14, 2025 | The Payoff: Series finale. Feature-length experience to maximize December hype. |
Seasonal Catalog Deep Dive
The holiday season is not just about horror. You need to understand the platform-specific offerings to maximize your downtime.
A. Peacock’s Festive & Classic Catalogue
Peacock is using its Universal and NBC catalog to corner the market on comfort classics and unconventional holiday viewing.
- The Classics ($$$): The must-watch IP for nostalgia and cultural awareness.
- Die Hard (Yes, it’s a Christmas movie. Debate over.)
- Miracle on 34th Street (Both 1947 and 1994 versions).
- The Night Before (For the Seth Rogen crew).
- Black Nativity (Powerful, modern Christmas musical).
- Jingle All the Way (Pure Arnold-era comedy).
The Comfort TV:
The platform relies heavily on beloved sitcom holiday episodes from The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family. This is easy-access, high-re-watch value content.
B. Netflix: The Romantic Holiday Pipeline
Netflix has perfected the formula for the original holiday rom-com, focusing on a high volume of new, feel-good assets designed to be binged instantly.
- Top 2025 Original Romantic Picks:
- A Merry Little Ex-Mas: A classic “forced proximity” romance starring Alicia Silverstone. High-value IP for the millennial market.
- Champagne Problems: Workaholic executive finds romance in France while acquiring a champagne brand. An elevated, international setting.
- Jingle Bell Heist: A funny, high-stakes rom-com about down-on-their-luck workers robbing a lavish department store.
- My Secret Santa: The quirky “disguise” trope (single mum dresses as Santa). Pure, unadulterated holiday fluff for guaranteed stream time.
Apple TV+: The Prestige Play
Apple TV+ doesn’t do volume; they do quality. Their holiday strategy is anchored by high-budget originals and exclusive genre content.
The High-Velocity Drama:
- F1 The Movie (December 12, 2025): The ultimate prestige docu-drama. This is the must-watch for the high-end, global audience. Exclusive, sleek, and high-octane.
- The Seasonal IP:
- The First Snow of Fraggle Rock (December 5, 2025): The platform uses beloved IP like the Muppets to capture the family audience while maintaining brand safety.
- Holiday Movie Sequels: They continue to build on existing film IP like The Family Plan 2 (November 21, 2025), which mixes action, comedy, and a holiday setting in Europe.
The Continuing Prestige
Keep an eye on ongoing shows like the anticipated Slow Horses Season 5 and Loot Season 3, which maintain the platform’s high-tier profile through the year-end.
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