The Shocking Departure from Band of Brothers Tradition in Masters of the Air: A Disturbing Revelation
Masters of the Air deviates from a long-standing Band of Brothers tradition, raising concerns However, its unconventional move to Apple TV+ instead of HBO does not overshadow its potential for immense success
Summary
Masters of the Air, the sequel to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, will be streamed exclusively on Apple TV+, a departure from its predecessors that aired on HBO.
Despite potential platform differences, Masters of the Air boasts a dedicated fanbase and an esteemed team consisting of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman. The impact of the show's performance on Apple TV+ could be influenced by its airing on Fridays, as opposed to securing the highly sought-after Sunday night time slot on HBO.
The upcoming war drama series Masters of the Air, produced by Apple TV, will serve as a sequel to the beloved series Band of Brothers and The Pacific. However, there is a concerning difference between the new show and its predecessors. Masters of the Air will focus on the 100th Bombardment Group of the US Army Air Forces, which undertook over 300 combat missions across Europe during WWII. Like its predecessors, the series will boast an ensemble cast, with Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, and Callum Turner in leading roles.
Band of Brothers and The Pacific, both considered as benchmarks in WWII cinema/television, achieved great success when they originally aired on HBO in 2001 and 2010 respectively. These shows have maintained a dedicated following over the years due to their exceptional quality. Consequently, the announcement of a third series from the same creators has been met with enthusiastic anticipation. However, there is a noteworthy aspect of Masters of the Air that sets it apart and could potentially pose a challenge.
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Masters Of The Air Is On Apple TV+ (Despite Band Of Brothers & The Pacific Being HBO)
Both Band of Brothers and The Pacific were originally aired on HBO and can still be accessed on the same platform. These two series are often considered as the gold standard for HBO, as they have played a significant role in establishing its reputation as a leading producer of top-notch drama series. Considering the immense success of these shows, it is surprising that the third installment would find its way onto a different streaming platform. Yet, that is precisely what has happened – Masters of the Air will be exclusively available for streaming on Apple TV+.
Why Masters of the Air is taking so long is a complex issue. The show's journey began in 2013, when Spielberg, Hanks, and other significant figures were signed by Apple TV to elevate the platform with their immense talent. Furthermore, Masters of the Air serves as the inaugural in-house production for Apple TV's Masters production team. The convenience of the transition to Apple TV+ was expedited by the existing deal Playtone, Tom Hanks's production company, had in place with Apple TV. Therefore, this WWII war drama holds great significance for Apple TV's evolution.
Why Masters Of The Air Being On Apple Instead Of HBO Is Worrying
Concerns about the quality of Masters of the Air are likely unfounded, given that much of the same production team from Band of Brothers and The Pacific will be involved. Apple TV has demonstrated its willingness to invest significant resources into their TV productions, which was necessary for Masters of the Air. However, the question remains whether the show will achieve the same level of prestige on Apple TV+ as its predecessors did on HBO. While Apple TV+ has already delivered several highly successful TV shows, very few have reached the same level of popularity commonly associated with HBO dramas.
HBO's lineup of popular shows includes Band of Brothers, The Sopranos, and Game of Thrones. While Apple TV+ can be compared to Ted Lasso, a light-hearted comedy, it's a completely different story with Masters of the Air, which promises violence and tension. If Masters of the Air were to secure the highly coveted 9 PM Sunday night time slot on HBO, its success would be practically guaranteed. The impact of releasing the show on a typical Friday drop on Apple TV+ would not generate the same level of anticipation, discussion, and viewership as it airs.
Why Masters Of The Air Will Still Likely Be A Big Success
Apart from being available on a streaming platform, there are numerous factors that contribute to the excellence of Masters of the Air. Firstly, it benefits from a ready-made audience as it is a sequel to the highly acclaimed series Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Fans of these two shows, as well as WWII enthusiasts in general, will be immediately captivated by the series and are unlikely to let the difference in platform deter them from experiencing the content. Furthermore, the immensely talented team responsible for the success of Band of Brothers and The Pacific will also be involved in producing the new series, bringing their expertise and vision to the project.
Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman played a crucial role in the development of Band of Brothers and will continue their involvement as executive producers for Masters of the Air. The talented John Orloff, who wrote the screenplay for Band of Brothers, will also be joining to write Masters of the Air. Furthermore, the exciting addition of Cary Joji Fukunaga, renowned for his work on the exceptional first season of True Detective and acclaimed movies like No Time to Die and Beasts of No Nation, brings fresh perspectives as one of the directors.
