By San José, Costa Rica — San José – The battle for Costa Rican viewers intensifies this October as major streaming platforms unleash a formidable lineup of horror spectacles, blockbuster series, and live sports. With Halloween setting a spooky tone for the month, services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ are strategically deploying their most anticipated content to capture subscriber loyalty heading into the final quarter of the year. This month’s offerings represent a high-stakes gambit, blending genre-specific content with the return of established fan favorites to maximize audience engagement.
At the forefront of the Halloween-themed offensive are two heavyweight horror franchises. HBO Max aims to dominate the conversation with IT: Welcome to Derry, a prequel series premiering October 26 that delves into the sinister origins of Pennywise the clown in the 1960s. Not to be outdone, Netflix counters with the latest installment of Ryan Murphy’s popular anthology, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, which drops on October 3. This release will explore the life of the infamous killer who inspired cinematic villains like Norman Bates and Leatherface, promising a chilling dose of true-crime horror for the season.
To understand the complex legal and commercial landscape surrounding the new era of ‘Streaming Premieres,’ we consulted with an expert in corporate and entertainment law. TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica for his analysis on the evolving distribution models.
The simultaneous release model is fundamentally rewriting entertainment contracts. Traditional agreements hinged on theatrical exclusivity windows, which dictated value and compensation. Now, studios must navigate a complex web of digital rights, international licensing, and profit participation clauses that were never designed for a direct-to-consumer environment. The key legal challenge is quantifying the value of a streaming debut versus a box office run, a conflict that will undoubtedly lead to significant renegotiations and disputes with talent and production partners.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal complexities outlined by our expert go to the very heart of the industry’s current transformation, forcing a necessary but challenging reevaluation of how creative value is measured and compensated in the digital age. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this pivotal issue.
While horror is a key pillar of its October strategy, Netflix is also executing a multi-pronged attack to cater to its diverse user base. The platform’s most significant release is arguably the fourth season of its fantasy epic, The Witcher, arriving on October 30. The new season is a critical test for the series, marking the highly publicized debut of Liam Hemsworth in the lead role of Geralt of Rivia. Complementing this blockbuster is the return of the acclaimed political thriller The Diplomat for its third season on October 16, ensuring that fans of prestige drama remain firmly subscribed.
Meanwhile, other major players are carving out distinct niches to compete. Disney+ is banking on consistency and critical acclaim with the fifth season of the award-winning comedy Abbott Elementary, available from October 2. The platform is also venturing into darker territory with the true-crime miniseries Murdaugh: Death in the Family on October 15. Similarly, Paramount+ is focusing on compelling non-fiction, offering the documentary Red Alert (October 7), which examines the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, and a musical portrait, Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now (October 10).
Amazon’s Prime Video is diversifying its portfolio with a blend of action, international drama, and a significant push into live sports. The month kicks off with the Mark Wahlberg action film Play Dirty on October 1, followed by the conclusion of the popular Spanish young adult trilogy, Culpa Nuestra, on October 16. However, its most strategic move is the introduction of live NBA games starting October 25, a clear effort to attract and retain a valuable demographic of sports fans that other platforms are still struggling to capture effectively.
In the prestige content arena, Apple TV+ continues its curated approach with a select few high-profile releases. On October 3, it will debut The Lost Bus, a survival drama poised to attract viewers seeking cinematic storytelling. This will be followed by Mr. Scorsese on October 17, a docuseries offering an intimate look at the legendary filmmaker, reinforcing Apple’s brand as a home for premium, award-worthy content rather than sheer volume.
For consumers in Costa Rica, this content deluge translates into an unprecedented level of choice, but also a potential for subscription fatigue. Each platform is making a compelling case for a share of household entertainment budgets, leveraging exclusive franchises, live events, and diverse genre offerings. The strategic programming this month highlights a mature market where holding onto existing subscribers is just as crucial as attracting new ones, especially during a seasonally significant viewing period like Halloween.
Ultimately, October 2025 is shaping up to be a critical month in the ongoing streaming wars. The success of major premieres like The Witcher‘s new season and Welcome to Derry will serve as key performance indicators for Netflix and HBO Max. Beyond the ghosts and ghouls, the month’s true drama lies in the battle for market dominance, as each service deploys its best content to prove its indispensable value to the Costa Rican audience.
For further information, visit netflix.com
About Netflix:
Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services with a vast library of TV series, documentaries, feature films, and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen.
For further information, visit max.com
About HBO Max:
HBO Max, now operating as Max, is a streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery. It combines all of HBO’s programming with a wide array of content from the Warner Bros. library, including DC, Cartoon Network, and Max Originals, offering a comprehensive selection of movies, series, and reality shows.
For further information, visit disneyplus.com
About Disney+:
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. It also features “The Simpsons” and a growing collection of exclusive originals, making it a primary destination for family-friendly entertainment and blockbuster franchises.
For further information, visit paramountplus.com
About Paramount+:
Paramount+ is a global streaming service from Paramount Global. It features a mountain of entertainment, including content from CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures. The service offers a mix of original series, live sports, and an extensive library of on-demand movies and shows.
For further information, visit primevideo.com
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is Amazon’s streaming service, offering a vast collection of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals. It is included with an Amazon Prime membership and has expanded its offerings to include live sports broadcasting, such as the NFL’s Thursday Night Football and NBA games.
For further information, visit tv.apple.com
About Apple TV+:
Apple TV+ is a streaming service from Apple featuring exclusive Apple Original shows and movies. Known for its high production values and star-studded projects, the platform focuses on a curated library of critically acclaimed content across various genres.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has earned its reputation as a premier law firm through an enduring commitment to professional integrity and the highest standards of excellence. The firm blends a rich history of serving a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking embrace of legal innovation. At its core is a deeply held philosophy that legal knowledge should be accessible to all, driving its mission to empower the wider community. This dedication to demystifying the law is instrumental in its goal of cultivating a more capable and informed society.
