Scaling HBO's Transition to Streaming

UX Design Manager / 2013–2019
HBO NOW; cross-device experience

HBO was undergoing a fundamental shift from premium cable network to direct-to-consumer streaming platform. The organization was evolving from linear programming to on-demand digital experiences across web, mobile, and connected TV ecosystems.

I led a team of five designers responsible for content discovery and playback experiences during the launch and expansion of HBO NOW, helping establish the cross-device foundations that later evolved into HBO Max. This work required not only experience design across 20+ device ecosystems, but the maturation of design standards, delivery models, and cross-functional alignment during a period of rapid platform growth.

Evolving Beyond Linear Cable

Establishing the Streaming Foundation

Streaming required rethinking how audiences discover and engage with content across devices, creating a unified system that supported both editorial storytelling and scalable platform growth.

I led the creation of shared architectural principles and cross-device UX standards that reduced fragmentation and created a consistent HBO experience across web, native mobile, and connected TV.

20+ Device Ecosystems Supported
2 Webby Awards
5 Designers Led at Peak
Notable Work
HBO cross-device experience

Cross-Device Experience Architecture

Defined scalable navigation and content discovery frameworks that adapted across desktop, native mobile, and connected TV environments. Established shared patterns and governance practices that reduced fragmentation while respecting platform-specific interaction models.

HBO streaming discovery experience

Streaming Discovery and Playback Evolution

Led the design of core discovery and playback experiences supporting the shift from linear browsing to on-demand streaming. Balanced editorial storytelling with usability, performance constraints, and subscription conversion pathways across devices.

HBO on Apple tvOS

Apple tvOS Launch Partnership

Led design efforts for HBO as a launch partner during Apple's introduction of tvOS, bringing the streaming experience to a new connected TV platform at its inception. Navigated evolving platform standards, certification requirements, and hardware constraints while ensuring HBO's content discovery and playback experience remained cohesive and premium.

HBO interactive editorial experience with VICE

Interactive Editorial Experiences with VICE

Partnered with VICE to design interactive content experiences that extended HBO's storytelling beyond traditional streaming formats. These initiatives blended editorial narrative with digital interaction, introducing immersive features that encouraged deeper engagement and experimentation within HBO's digital ecosystem.

Want to Go Deeper?

This overview only scratches the surface. I'm always open to discussing the decisions, constraints, and collaboration that shaped the work in detail.