Line #15 Creator/Cinemax


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cinemax_yellow.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:''There's no other television like it!'']]
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4	Cinemax is a premium cable network launched in August 1980, which {{Creator/HBO}} owns as a "sister company", that specializes in airing movies. Much like HBO, it has a bouquet of multiplex networks (previously promoted under the name ''[=MultiMax=]''); these include [=ActionMax=], [=5StarMax=], etc. Unlike its rivals Creator/{{Showtime}} and Creator/{{Starz}}, Cinemax has not really focused on original programming throughout its history in MediaNotes/{{prime time}} outside of documentary programming, music programs and some shows picked up from other networks, including ''[[Series/MaxHeadroom The Max Headroom Show]]'' and the final season of ''Series/{{SCTV}}'' in the early 80s after {{Creator/NBC}} dropped it. The network was conceived as a "movie junkie's" service first, and accordingly in comparison to HBO has focused less on blockbusters and big films and more on older, cult, and foreign films, much like Creator/TheMovieChannel. In the 80s it maintained an image of basically being HBO's irreverent kid brother, with their music programs and the "Cinemax Comedy Experiment" contrasting with HBO's higher-profile lineup of specials. However, what it aired [[MediaNotes/SafeHarbor late at night]] turned it into the stuff of legend for a whole generation.
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6	You see, Cinemax had a block called ''Max After Dark'' that started after its last prime time movie had ended (usually between 11 and midnight). Max After Dark was one of the only places on American television that aired softcore pornographic films and original series, usually with such names as ''Erotic Confessions'', ''Co-Ed Confidential'', ''The Best Sex Ever'' and ''Zane's Sex Chronicles''. In TheNineties, this gave Cinemax a reputation as one of the edgiest and most risque networks on cable, earning it the FanNickname "Skinemax" -- a reputation that still holds, to some extent, even now that {{the internet\|IsForPorn}} provides much more explicit content and its premium cable rivals have started pushing the envelope of what's permissible in prime time. Back in the day, adolescent boys would frequently stay up late at night in order to catch the skin flicks that would air then -- telling your friends in school that you caught late-night Cinemax was an easy way to establish yourself as one of the "cool" kids. It was far from hardcore pornography, and much of it was {{Bowdlerise}}d compared to your average Jenna Jameson skin flick, but for most kids back then, [[WhenIWasYourAge just seeing naked ladies on TV was enough]]. (Sister network HBO Zone also aired some of this content, as did most of the [=MultiMax=] networks.)
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8	Cinemax was happy to cultivate this reputation. A quick glance at their website at the time showed heavy promotion for their late-night series, complete with cast interviews, behind-the-scenes stuff, and more, just as one would expect from any other TV series... except it was porn. The shows also usually made an attempt at actually looking like TV shows complete with [[PornWithPlot intricate plots]] for what they can do with NoBudget and lesser-known actors, instead of cheapo skin flicks, so you have to give them credit for that.
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10	After years of declining ratings, however, [[TheInternetIsForPorn the internet finally put]] ''[[TheInternetIsForPorn Max After Dark]]'' [[TheInternetIsForPorn out of business]]. The last such original program was broadcast in 2014, and the programming blocks were phased out over the next few years until Home Box Office, Inc. (the [=WarnerMedia=] subsidiary that operates Cinemax and HBO) dropped all softcore adult programming from its channels around the time of its 2018 acquisition by [=AT&T=]. Today there is no sign of Cinemax's infamous original programming, and it is essentially just another premium cable channel, though the old "Skinemax" nickname remains (mildly) in the public consciousness.
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12	Cinemax has seven sister channels:
13	* '''[=MoreMax=]''': Launched in 1991. This channel airs a movie schedule similar to that of the flagship Cinemax channel, and also airs independent, foreign, and art house films. Known as '''Cinemax 2''' until 1998.
14	* '''[=ActionMax=]''': Airs, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin action movies.]] Known as '''Cinemax 3''' from 1995 to 1998.
15	* '''[=ThrillerMax=]''': Launched in 1998. Airs suspense, horror, and mystery films.
16	* '''[=5StarMax=]''': Launched in 2001. Airs modern-day classics, including award-winning classics and timeless classics.
17	* '''Cinemáx''': A Spanish-language version of the flagship Cinemax channel.
18	* '''[=MovieMax=]''': Launched in 2001. Airs movie aimed at audiences aged 18-34. Formerly known as '''W-Max''' (focusing on female-oriented pictures) and, as Moviemax, was originally a family-oriented channel.
19	* '''[=OuterMax=]''': Launched in 2001. Airs science-fiction, fantasy, and horror films.
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21	In 2011, Cinemax would began airing more "mainstream" original programming to complement the shows on HBO. They began with action series, such as the British import ''Series/StrikeBack'' and ''Series/{{Banshee}}''. They've since ventured into more DarkerAndEdgier territory with shows like ''Series/TheKnick'', ''Series/{{Outcast}}'', and ''Quarry''.
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23	In 2020, Creator/WarnerMedia announced that Cinemax would stop commissioning originals altogether due to the upcoming launch of Creator/HBOMax; they further announced that Cinemax's originals would not be part of the HBO Max selection at launch. Cinemax had secured the US rights to the Sky drama ''Series/GangsOfLondon'', but the series [[ChannelHop changed hands]] to another new service, Creator/{{AMC}}+, after the news broke. In January 2021, ''Series/{{Warrior\|2019}}'' became the first Cinemax show to migrate to HBO and Max, shortly after its second season concluded, with ''Banshee'' following.
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25	!!Shows that air or have aired on Cinemax
26	[[index]]
27	* ''Series/{{Banshee}}'' (2013-16)
28	* ''Series/TheKnick'' (2014-15)
29	* ''[[Series/MaxHeadroom The Max Headroom Show]]'' (1985-86) [[note]]US broadcaster, it originally aired on Creator/Channel4[[/note]]
30	* ''Series/{{Outcast}}'' (2016, 2018)
31	* ''Film/ReignOfTheGargoyles'' (2007) [[note]]Hungary only, it aired in the US on Creator/{{Syfy}}[[/note]]
32	* ''Series/{{Rellik}}'' (2018) [[note]]co-production with Creator/TheBBC[[/note]]
33	* ''Series/{{SCTV}}'' (1983-84) [[note]]US broadcaster, picked up from Creator/{{NBC}}[[/note]]
34	* ''Film/SheCreature'' (2001)
35	* ''Series/StrikeBack'' (2011-15, 2018-20) [[note]]Cinemax co-produced the series with Creator/{{Sky}} starting with the second season[[/note]]
36	* ''WesternAnimation/TalesFromTheTourBus'' (2017-18)
37	* ''Series/{{Warrior\|2019}}'' (2019-20) [[note]]the series moved to Creator/HBOMax starting with the third season[[/note]]
38	[[/index]]
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Context Creator / Cinemax