Welcome to the pilot edition of What's Premiering On Streaming. This column discusses shows that are about to premiere on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max, Hulu, and/or Apple TV. each discussion concludes with a prediction for the show's first week performance on their respective streaming service's trending chart, including a reader poll. Final results can be found in our weekly What's Trending On Streaming column. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (Apple TV)Premieres: May 20
Genre: Comedic thriller
Starring: Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson
Synopsis: "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" follows newly divorced mom Paula (Maslany) as she falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder and youth soccer. Convinced she witnessed a crime - while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis - Paula begins her own investigation, one that could unravel a greater conspiracy while also holding the keys to rebuilding her family and sense of self.
Going For It
Apple will likely be giving Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed ample home page exposure upon its premiere. They previewed the series at their 2026 Apple TV Press Day in February, which was developed under a first-look deal from Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon.
Going Against It
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed carries a 1.1 Buzz Score on Television Stats, ranking 27th on Apple TV. The highest it's gone was a 2.8 on April 6, which would still put it below over a dozen Apple TV shows. While this doesn't have to translate to low viewing figures, it is worth noting the five Apple TV shows with the highest Buzz Scores all rank within the top 5 on Apple TV's trending chart.
The Precedent
It's notoriously tough to top Apple TV's trending chart; only five shows have done so between February 1 and May 9, 2026. Apple TV's latest series premiere, Widow's Bay, debuted at #6 and has since peaked at #2. Three days before its premiere, it had a 3.6 Buzz Score.
Day 1 Prediction: #8 on Apple TV
The Boroughs (Netflix)
Premieres: May 21
Premieres: May 21
Genre: Sci-fi
Starring: Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Bill Pullman, Clarke Peters, Denis O'Hare
Synopsis: In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a crew of unlikely heroes must stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don't have: time.
Going For It
The Boroughs is executive produced by The Duffer Brothers, best known as the creators of Stranger Things. As a sci-fi series, it's been hyped up in the media as a Stranger Things replacement. While The Boroughs is by no means guaranteed to be a hit, its ceiling is exceptionally high.
Going Against It
For those watching from the very beginning, Stranger Things was a nine-year investment. The Boroughs could suffer if the demand for a "next Stranger Things" is low.
The Precedent
The Duffer Brothers have produced one other show outside of the Stranger Things IP for Netflix: Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. The horror miniseries debuted at #4 on Netflix's trending chart in March, and spent 18 consecutive days on the chart including three days at #1. Its Buzz Score currently sits at a 1.9; Netflix's latest series premiere, Nemesis, had a 0.5 five days ahead of its premiere.
Day 1 Prediction: #2 on Netflix
Mating Season (Netflix)
Premieres: May 22
Premieres: May 22
Genre: Adult animation
Starring: June Diane Raphael, Nick Kroll, Sabrina Jalees, Zach Woods
Synopsis: From the twisted minds behind "Big Mouth" comes this wildly adult animated comedy series about love, sex and relationships set in the animal world.
Going For It
Big Mouth was somewhat of a surprise niche hit, so there's reason to believe the same could ring true for Mating Season. Seeing as Netflix can use the Big Mouth name to advertise Mating Season, its success could be more immediate than their previous adult animated successes.
Going Against It
Mating Season looks to be little more than a TV-MA version of FOX's short-lived adult animation series HouseBroken meets Big Mouth. That's arguably not a winning formula, seeing as HouseBroken never found an audience on Hulu.
The Precedent
Big Mouth, while one of the most recognizable adult animated series on Netflix, failed to peak in the top 10 on the weekly U.S. shows chart in its final two seasons. It most recently peaked at #8 during the release of its sixth season in fall 2022. A spinoff of Big Mouth, Human Resources, peaked at #9 for its first season in 2022 on the weekly U.S. shows chart. It did not crack the top 10 for its second and final season in 2023.
Day 1 Prediction: Below #10 on Netflix