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| 3 | %% Per Administrivia/CreatorPageGuidelines, only tropes associated to a creator's works are allowed on this wiki's pages. |
| 4 | %% Tropes that only apply to the creator's personal life as if the creator is a fictional character are not allowed. |
| 5 | %% Please do not apply tropes about the creator's personal life as if they are a fictional character. |
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| 8 | %% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1498634710093029300 |
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| 11 | [[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_hbo.png]] |
| 12 | [[caption-width-right:300:''[[{{Slogan}} There's More to Discover]]'']] |
| 13 | ->''"This isn't broadcast TV, it's HBO. The moral wild west of television."'' |
| 14 | -->-- '''Creator/JohnOliver''', ''Series/LastWeekTonightWithJohnOliver'' |
| 15 | |
| 16 | Home Box Office. Originally conceived in 1971 as "The Green Network", then changed to [[http://hbo.com HBO]] prior to its launch in November 1972.[[note]]As it turns out, "Home Box Office" was originally not going to be a permanent name, [[PermanentPlaceholder having initially been chosen (over Sterling Cable Network, a name referencing its initial parent company) while Time-Life management attempted to fill publishing deadlines for the proposed service's marketing materials with the intent of changing it to another name]].[[/note]] It was started by Sterling Communications, founded by cable television executive Charles Dolan and majority owned at the time by the legendary magazine company Time, Inc. (and in the channel's early years, was noted as being "from Time-Life"). It remained as part of the Time Warner conglomerate when Time merged with [[Creator/WarnerBros Warner Communications]] in 1989, and remained with [=TimeWarner=] even after the magazine side was sold off in 2013, and in turn was renamed [=WarnerMedia=] upon the company's acquisition by AT&T in 2018, then Creator/WarnerBrosDiscovery in 2022 with the Creator/{{Discovery|Channel}}-[=WarnerMedia=] merger. Unlike most cable networks, HBO is a premium channel, meaning you have to pay for the right to watch the channel on top of what you pay as far as cable packaging is concerned (though in recent years, most cable and satellite networks have started offering premium TV packages that ''do'' include HBO and its sister channels, including Creator/{{Cinemax}}). Note the start dates above, too -- until about 1980 the concept of "basic cable" didn't exist. There was broadcast TV delivered by cable (at least one of each of the then-three major American networks plus at least one Creator/{{PBS}} station, several independent stations from a wide radius and, at least in the northern states, Creator/{{CBC}}, Creator/{{CTV}} and other Canadian broadcasters) and there was "pay TV". |
| 17 | |
| 18 | To entice people to pay for the channel, HBO had long offered free "preview" periods, allowing potential subscribers to sample its programming. Depending on your cable provider, HBO will temporarily "unscramble" its channels for the briefest of periods [[ThirtyDayFreeTrial (usually for one week, one weekend, or one month)]] to draw in customers who will then pony up the money to buy the channel full time. However, HBO does it much more rarely than {{Creator/Showtime}} or {{Creator/Starz}} to keep its cachet (Dish Network offers one HBO preview weekend every calendar quarter), and usually only on weekends, where its highest-profile series are launched and biggest movies are screened. |
| 19 | |
| 20 | HBO's lineup mainly consists of major studio films, shown uncut and commercial free. While the main HBO channel focuses on new blockbusters, sister station Cinemax focuses on older films and more arthouse-centric movies. In addition, HBO produced original films, and started producing their own series in the '80s and '90s (such as ''1st & Ten'' and ''Series/DreamOn''). It also imported a great deal of programming from Canada, Europe and even Japan in its early years, and even its first original weekly series, the Creator/JimHenson production ''Series/FraggleRock'', was made in Canada. However, HBO's popularity increased in the mid-to-late 1990s with ''Series/TheLarrySandersShow'', ''Series/{{Oz}}'', ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' and ''Series/TheSopranos'', the latter two of which firmly established the network as a major player in the TV industry. All four of these series gained a great deal of acclaim, and most of them swept the Emmys for a while. HBO would eventually get another mega-hit in 2011 with ''Series/GameOfThrones''. In addition to original programming and movies, HBO was also famous for its coverage of boxing matches, which ran from January 22, 1973 to December 8, 2018. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | As of 2021, HBO and Cinemax carry the cable premieres of new-release films from Creator/WarnerBros, Creator/{{Universal}}[[note]]excluding animated content and Creator/DreamWorksSKG productions[[/note]], Creator/FocusFeatures, {{Creator/Disney}}[[note]]Specifically their Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios & Creator/SearchlightPictures divisions[[/note]], and Creator/SummitEntertainment. However, all of these deals (barring Warner Bros. of course) are set to expire in 2022 and 2023 to further [[Creator/{{Peacock}} the]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} streaming]] [[Creator/{{Starz}} ambitions]] of said studios' parent companies. What HBO's position following the loss of these rights will be is unclear, though [=WarnerMedia=]'s merger with Discovery, Inc. may provide it some additional content. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | HBO has six [[TimeshiftChannel sister networks]] that are almost always included with the main HBO channel to make the network a good value for most of its audience (the collection of networks was once branded as '''HBO The Works'''): |
| 25 | * '''HBO 2''': Launched in 1991, it airs more films than the main HBO with the same variety, and series usually premiere here on a one-day delay to offer viewers a second (or by the end of the week, 46th) chance to view them. Branded as '''HBO Plus''' from 1998 until 2002. |
| 26 | * '''HBO Signature''': Also launched in 1991, a female-targeted network mainly airing "high-art" Hollywood releases, romantic comedies, and art films. Initially branded as '''HBO 3''' from 1991 until 1998 and was originally another timeshift network like HBO 2. |
| 27 | * '''HBO Family''': Launched in 1996, the network's competitor to Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} and the Creator/DisneyChannel, with movies and children's programming both created for the network and internationally made, and nary a movie rated R or TV-MA programming in sight. It's actually the network's ''third'' attempt at such a channel; the first two, '''Take 2''' (1979-1981) and '''Festival''' (1986-1988), failed due to lack of subscribers and distribution issues (among other factors). HBO itself occasionally showed Disney films prior to Disney Channel's debut in 1983. |
| 28 | * '''HBO Comedy''': Launched in 1999, it's ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin; Comedy films and the deep library of HBO comedy specials and series air here. Think Creator/ComedyCentral if everything that aired was truly uncut and uncensored, didn't have commercials, and was of better quality (ironically HBO parent company [[Creator/WarnerBros Time Warner]] used to co-own Comedy Central, as it was a merger of HBO's Comedy Channel and Viacom's HA!, and continued to co-own the network until 2003). |
| 29 | * '''HBO Zone''': Also launched in 1999, it's the younger-targeting part of the HBO suite which mainly airs films appealing to 18-35'ers and plenty of science fiction films. HBO has aired original series marathons on this network more lately. Also outside of the few adult shows airing on HBO, the only HBO network which prior to 2018 aired soft-core adult content, along with old episodes of ''Real Sex''. |
| 30 | * '''HBO Latino''': Launched in 2000, mainly a Spanish-language simulcast of the main HBO channel, but also features Spanish-language movies, series from HBO's Latin American channels and boxing events. |
| 31 | |
| 32 | Most of these channels are also broadcast worldwide, but there's also a few other unique international HBO channels: |
| 33 | * '''HBO Hits''': An HBO Asia channel which airs popular movies and blockbuster films. |
| 34 | * '''RED by HBO''': Another HBO Asia channel and a joint-venture with the Hong Kong studio Mei Ah Entertainment, RED by HBO mostly airs foreign Asian films in their original language. Localized subtitles are available for all of the movies shown on this channel. Originally branded as '''Screen Red''', this channel used to air only movies from China, Japan, and South Korea, but upon its rebrand to RED by HBO the scope increased to include Southeast Asian movies as well. Unlike other HBO channels, films shown on RED have several program breaks placed in-between scenes. |
| 35 | * Some regions still have HBO channels called '''HBO 3''' or '''HBO Plus'''. |
| 36 | * '''HBO Canada''': A franchise owned and operated by Bell Media's Crave premium service (originally known as First Choice, and later as First Choice Superchannel and TMN (The Movie Network)), Canada's leading premium movie broadcaster. Airs most of the the series HBO owns, as well as the occasional non-HBO US show, TMN original series (without the HBO branding) and archival Canadian films to comply with domestic content regulations.[[note]]Prior to HBO's encrypting its signal in 1985, some cable systems in Canada pirated the HBO signal and rebroadcast it on local-access channels, and Canadian viewers with satellite dishes could watch HBO for free. When First Choice launched in 1983, it followed a model very similar to HBO's at the time, with a mix of comedy, sports, music and children's programming. It later merged with rival Superchannel (which eventually became the now-defunct Movie Central), with First Choice serving eastern Canada and Superchannel serving the western half.[[/note]] |
| 37 | |
| 38 | For streaming options, HBO launched the '''HBO Go''' internet service in 2010, which offered nearly every original series, documentary and special created after ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' premiered and the current movies airing on HBO. Like most TV anywhere apps, ''Go'' was available only to cable and satellite subscribers with their customer login, though a swell of non-cable viewers looking for their ''Series/GameOfThrones'' or ''Series/{{Girls}}'' fix had wanted HBO to offer a paid subscription to the service. On October 2014, HBO announced just that, a standalone subscription service called '''HBO Now'''. It was initially available only through Optimum in the New York area; it eventually expanded to both other TV providers and via various streaming devices. |
| 39 | |
| 40 | After its acquisition by AT&T, [=WarnerMedia=] announced the launch of a new streaming service, '''[[Creator/{{Max}} HBO Max]]''', in 2020, to compete in the streaming war. Unlike HBO Now, HBO Max features content from HBO and its corporate siblings in [=WarnerMedia=], including those aired in other networks. As a result, it essentially superseded HBO Now, which was depreciated; subscribers to the linear channel on select cable and satellite providers received all Max content through the HBO Max app at no additional charge, while direct and select third-party subscribers to HBO Now also received Max programming immediately upon launch as well. In June 2020, [=WarnerMedia=] announced that HBO Go would be shut down at the end of July that year, citing customer confusion over the different [=HBO=]-branded platforms and because most subscribers who receive the linear HBO channels now get access to HBO Max. HBO Now was briefly renamed to "HBO", before being discontinued in December 2020 after Roku and [[Creator/{{Amazon}} Fire TV]] reached agreements with [=WarnerMedia=] to carry HBO Max. However, the HBO Go branding is still used in Asia where the ''HBO Max'' and ''HBO Now'' branding were never used. Initially tethered to subscription to select Pay TV providers in the region, Asia's HBO Go is now following HBO Max's footsteps, with the service being open to direct subscription by the people in the region. The HBO branding would be removed in 2023 in favor of Max to make the service more appealing to an international audience. |
| 41 | |
| 42 | HBO has made films for themselves. While most are aired directly on the network, a few are shown theatrically; they use the name HBO Films for those purposes. They first began original film production in 1983 under the name HBO Premiere Films, then under two names, HBO Pictures and HBO NYC Productions, which were merged together in 2000 to form HBO Films. Other divisions for film production have popped up over the years, and they have had two joint-venture theatrical arms (the first being Creator/TriStarPictures). Almost all of their original films are documentaries or dramatizations of historical events, usually with a political angle. |
| 43 | |
| 44 | Additionally, from the late 1980s until the early 2000s, HBO operated two television production units that produced shows outside the HBO channels. HBO Downtown Productions (formed in 1988 and closed in 2001) produced original programming for Comedy Central (when it was a HBO/Viacom joint venture) as well as comedy specials for HBO itself. Another unit was called HBO Independent Productions (formed in 1990 and closed in 2006), this unit produced shows for broadcast networks (mostly Creator/{{Fox}}) and sometimes basic cable. Shows produced by HBO Downtown that were copyrighted to Comedy Partners (such as ''Dr Katz'', ''Professional Therapist'' and the pre-Creator/{{ABC}} episodes of ''Politically Incorrect'' are owned by Creator/ViacomCBS (via Comedy Central). |
| 45 | |
| 46 | They also have a stake in the home video market with '''HBO Home Entertainment'''. That division began back in the late 70s as [[Creator/{{EMI}} Thorn EMI Video]], distributing their early theatrical productions, as well as Creator/ThamesTelevision product and Creator/OrionPictures films, among other titles. They then formed a joint venture with HBO in 1985 called Thorn EMI/HBO Video. They were then renamed to HBO/Cannon Video, after Creator/TheCannonGroup bought EMI's film division in 1986. At this point, they were also distributing films from Hemdale, as well as some Tri-Star releases (due to HBO's stake in the venture). This version of the label didn't last long before Cannon sold its share to HBO (after selling the EMI library), and was renamed HBO Video[[note]]long-time HBO Home Entertainment president Henry [=McGee=] noted in a 2010 interview that "we seemed to be trashing our stationary once a year just to change the letterhead!"[[/note]]. Orion left to form its own video label soon after Cannon dropped out. By this point, they were distributing productions not only from themselves, but also from a large amount of other companies, including Creator/MiramaxFilms, Thames, De Laurentiis, Hemdale, and Samuel Goldwyn, among others. However, in the early 90's, as these companies found other labels or quit the business, they began to concentrate on HBO material. Nowadays, in addition to HBO original movies, they also distribute HBO's large amount of series and specials, although they have since renamed to HBO Home Entertainment (with Creator/WarnerBros distributing the physical media.) |
| 47 | |
| 48 | For more on the history and development of the channel, former employee Bill Mesce wrote a series of articles chronicling the channel's timeline which can be found [[https://www.popoptiq.com/tag/its-not-tv/ here]], as well as a memoir, ''Inside the Rise of HBO'' (2015). |
| 49 | |
| 50 | [[folder:Series, miniseries, and made-for-TV films broadcast by HBO]] |
| 51 | '''Bold''' denotes ongoing programs. |
| 52 | ---- |
| 53 | [[index]] |
| 54 | * ''Film/FourLittleGirls'' (1997) -- A documentary about the 1963 white supremacist terrorist bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which claimed the lives of four black girls. |
| 55 | * ''Film/SixtyOne'' (2001) -- A biopic about baseball players Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in their attempt to break Creator/BabeRuth's home run record. |
| 56 | * ''Film/SevenDaysInHell'' (2015) -- A comedic short film |
| 57 | * ''Film/{{Above Suspicion|1995}}'' (1995) |
| 58 | * ''[[Literature/PaddingtonBear The Adventures of Paddington Bear]]'' (1998-2000) -- US broadcaster; Canada-France co-production |
| 59 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{The Adventures of Tintin|1991}}'' (US broadcaster; Canada-France co-production) |
| 60 | * ''Literature/TheAdventuresOfTomSawyer'' (c. 1990) (US broadcaster; Anime/WorldMasterpieceTheater anime version made in 1980) |
| 61 | * ''Film/AgainstTheWall'' (1994) -- MadeForTVMovie dramatizing the Attica Prison riot.[[/index]] |
| 62 | * ''America Undercover'' (1983-97, 2001-03, 2005-06) -- A series of hard-hitting documentaries, one of which, ''Soldiers in Hiding'' (1985), an examination of traumatized [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam]] veterans living "off the grid", was nominated for a Academy Award for Best Documentary.[[index]] |
| 63 | * ''Film/AndStarringPanchoVillaAsHimself'' (2003) -- A drama about the making of the 1914 film ''The Life of General Villa'', starring Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. |
| 64 | * ''Theatre/AngelsInAmerica'' (2003 miniseries) |
| 65 | * ''Series/AngryBoys'' (2011) -- Co-production with [[Creator/AustralianBroadcastingCorporation The ABC]]. |
| 66 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Animals|2016}}'' (2016-18) |
| 67 | * ''WesternAnimation/AnimatedTalesOfTheWorld'' (2001 miniseries) |
| 68 | * ''Film/AndTheBandPlayedOn'' (1993) -- A docudrama about the AIDS epidemic, based on the [[Literature/AndTheBandPlayedOn 1987 book of the same name]]. |
| 69 | * ''Series/{{Arliss}}'' (1996-2002) -- A sports-themed sitcom known for its long run in spite of mediocre ratings and critical reception. |
| 70 | * ''Series/Avenue5'' (2020, 2022) |
| 71 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Babar}}'' (1989-91, 2000) (US broadcaster; Canada-France co-production) |
| 72 | * ''Series/{{The Baby Sitters Club|1990}}'' (1990) |
| 73 | * ''Film/{{Bad Education|2019}}'' (2020) -- The film had its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival in 2019. |
| 74 | * ''Series/{{Ballers}}'' (2015-19) -- Stars Creator/DwayneJohnson. |
| 75 | * ''Series/BandOfBrothers'' (2001 miniseries) -- A SpiritualSuccessor to the film ''Film/SavingPrivateRyan'', made by the same production team. |
| 76 | * ''Series/{{Barry}}'' (2018-19, 2022-23) -- A hitman gets the acting bug. |
| 77 | * ''Series/{{Beforeigners}}'' (2019) -- A PoliceProcedural featuring migrants from past time periods appearing in the present day. Premiered on HBO Nordic. Following the service's closure in 2021, the series moved to HBO Max for season two onwards. |
| 78 | * ''Film/BehindTheCandelabra'' (2013) |
| 79 | * ''Series/{{Betty}}'' (2020-21) -- A series succeeding the film ''Film/SkateKitchen'' which follows four girls in New York City who love skate boarding. |
| 80 | * ''Series/BigLittleLies'' (2017, 2019) -- Adapting [[Literature/BigLittleLies the novel of the same name]]. |
| 81 | * ''Series/BigLove'' (2006-07, 2009-11) |
| 82 | * ''Series/ABlackLadySketchShow'' (2019, 2021-23) |
| 83 | * ''Film/{{Blackout|1985}}'' (1985) |
| 84 | * ''Series/BoardwalkEmpire'' (2010-14) -- Prohibition gangster series by ''Series/TheSopranos'' writer/producer Terence Winter. |
| 85 | * ''Series/BoredToDeath'' (2009-11) -- A sitcom about a novelist who moonlights as a detective.[[/index]] |
| 86 | * ''Braingames'' (1983-85) -- An {{Edutainment}} series for the whole family featuring puzzles, riddles, quizzes and memory games[[index]] |
| 87 | * ''Series/TheBrink'' (2015) -- An ensemble political satire about the threat of nuclear war. |
| 88 | * ''Film/ByDawnsEarlyLight'' (1990) -- Notable for being the last WorldWarIII film released before the [[UsefulNotes/HoleInFlag fall of the Soviet Union]]. |
| 89 | * ''Series/{{Capadocia}}'' (2008, 2010, 2012) -- Produced by and aired in HBO Latin America (formerly HBO Olé). |
| 90 | * ''Film/CapturingTheFriedmans'' (2003) -- A documentary about a 1980s child molestation case. |
| 91 | * ''Series/{{Carnivale}}'' (2003, 2005) -- A surreal, supernatural thriller set in the Depression-era Dust Bowl |
| 92 | * ''Film/CastADeadlySpell'' (1991) -- FilmNoir MadeForTVMovie set in the Franchise/CthulhuMythos. |
| 93 | ** ''Film/WitchHunt'' (1994) -- Sequel to the above film. |
| 94 | * ''Series/TheCasualVacancy'' (2015 miniseries) -- Adaptation of Creator/JKRowling's first novel after the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series, co-produced with the BBC. |
| 95 | * ''Series/CatherineTheGreat'' (2019) -- A miniseries about the love and family life of the Russian empress. |
| 96 | * ''Series/{{Chernobyl}}'' (2019 miniseries) |
| 97 | * ''Film/TheCherokeeKid'' (1996) |
| 98 | * ''Series/TheChrisRockShow'' (1997-2000) |
| 99 | * ''Film/CitizenX'' (1995) |
| 100 | * ''WesternAnimation/ClassicalBaby'' (2005, 2008, 2017) |
| 101 | * ''Film/ClearHistory'' (2013) -- A comedy television film starring Larry David. |
| 102 | * ''Series/TheComeback'' (2005, 2014; canceled after the first season, it was UnCancelled ''9 years later'') |
| 103 | * ''Film/{{Conspiracy|2001}}'' (2001) -- A dramatization of the [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust Wannsee Conference]]. Co-produced with BBC. |
| 104 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheCountryMouseandCityMouseAdventures'' (1998-2001) -- US broadcaster; Canada-France co-production |
| 105 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Crashbox}}'' (1999-2000) |
| 106 | * ''Series/{{Crashing|US}}'' (2017-19) -- a semi-autobiographical sitcom created by and starring Creator/PeteHolmes |
| 107 | * '''''Series/CurbYourEnthusiasm''''' (2000-2024) -- A 12-season series and spiritual successor to ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' that pioneered the meta-sitcom. Preceded with a 1999 special titled ''Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm''. |
| 108 | * ''Series/DaAliGShow'' (2003-04) -- Moved from Creator/Channel4 after its first series. |
| 109 | * ''Film/{{Daybreak}}'' (1993) -- Dystopian science fiction film about a future United States where people are imprisoned for testing positive for a venereal disease. |
| 110 | * ''Series/{{Deadwood}}'' (2004-06) -- A critical darling set in TheWildWest, famous for the vulgarity of its dialogue. Later concluded with a movie.[[/index]] |
| 111 | * ''Dennis Miller Live'' (1994-2002) -- Political and social commentary from Creator/DennisMiller and guests, before the comedian turned into a right-wing figurehead.[[index]] |
| 112 | * ''Series/TheDeuce'' (2017-19) -- A PeriodPiece about the drugs, sex and crime-soaked culture of Times Square in TheSeventies |
| 113 | * ''Series/{{Divorce}}'' (2016, 2018-19) |
| 114 | * ''Film/{{Draw}}'' (1984) -- A {{Western}} comedy film starring Creator/KirkDouglas and Creator/JamesCoburn. |
| 115 | * ''Series/DreamOn'' (1990-96) -- An early sex-themed sitcom |
| 116 | * ''Series/EastboundAndDown'' (2009-10, 2012-13) |
| 117 | * ''Film/ElDiablo'' (1990) |
| 118 | * ''Series/{{The Electric Company|2009}}'' -- Originally aired on Creator/PBSKids, HBO aired reruns as part of a Creator/SesameWorkshop deal |
| 119 | * ''Series/{{Elizabeth I|2005}}'' (2005 miniseries) -- Co-production with Channel 4. |
| 120 | * ''WesternAnimation/ElPerroYElGato'' (2004-12) |
| 121 | * ''Literature/EmmetOttersJugBandChristmas'' (made in 1977 for Creator/{{CBC}}, aired on HBO (almost) yearly from 1978 to 1989) |
| 122 | * ''Literature/EncyclopediaBrown'' (1989) |
| 123 | * ''Encyclopedia'' (c. 1990) -- an {{Edutainment}} series co-produced with [[Creator/SesameWorkshop Children's Television Workshop]] |
| 124 | * ''Series/{{Enlightened}}'' (2011, 2013) |
| 125 | * ''Series/{{Entourage}}'' (2004-11) -- A male bonding series about jet-setters in Hollywood. Spawned two films. |
| 126 | * ''WesternAnimation/EsmeAndRoy'' (2018-19) -- Shifted to Creator/HBOMax starting 2020 |
| 127 | * '''''Series/{{Euphoria}}''''' (2019-present) -- A drama series starring Creator/{{Zendaya}}. |
| 128 | * ''Series/{{Extras}}'' (2005-06, co-production with Creator/TheBBC) -- A sitcom from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Followed by a Christmas special that aired in 2007. |
| 129 | * ''[[Film/Fahrenheit4512018 Fahrenheit 451]]'' (2018) |
| 130 | * ''Series/FamilyTree'' (2013) -- A short-lived improvisational sitcom from writer/director Creator/ChristopherGuest. |
| 131 | * ''Literature/TheFarPavilions'' (1984, one of HBO's first miniseries) |
| 132 | * ''Film/{{Fatherland}}'' (1994) -- An AlternateHistoryNaziVictory film, based on [[Literature/{{Fatherland}} a 1992 book]]. |
| 133 | * ''Music/FlightOfTheConchords'' (2007, 2009) -- A sitcom starring the Kiwi folk-comedy group AdamWesting as themselves |
| 134 | * ''Series/FraggleRock'' (1983-87) -- Creator/JimHenson's musical children's puppet show addressing social themes. The channel's first regular weekly series. Funded by HBO and produced in Canada by Creator/{{CBC}}. |
| 135 | * ''Series/FromTheEarthToTheMoon'' (1998 miniseries) |
| 136 | * ''Film/FullEclipse'' (1993) -- An UrbanFantasy about a police squad consisting of werewolves. |
| 137 | * ''Literature/GameChange'' (2012) -- A political drama about the 2008 United States presidential race, based on the book of the same name. While the book focuses on the race in general, the film puts an emphasis on Republican veep candidate UsefulNotes/SarahPalin. |
| 138 | * ''Series/GameOfThrones'' (2011-17, 2019) -- Adaptation of ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', a series of bestselling fantasy novels by Creator/GeorgeRRMartin.[[note]]The adaptation's title is taken from the book series' first installment, ''Literature/AGameOfThrones''.[[/note]] The signature mega hit of HBO in the 2010s and maybe rivaled only by ''The Sopranos'' for largest cultural impact. |
| 139 | ** '''''Series/HouseOfTheDragon''''' (2022-present) -- Prequel to ''Game of Thrones'', it is a partial adaptation of ''Literature/FireAndBlood'', focusing on the Dance of the Dragons, which takes place 200 years before the events of ''[=GoT=]''. |
| 140 | * ''Literature/GenerationKill'' (2008 miniseries) -- An adaptation of Evan Wright's memoir as an embedded journalist during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. |
| 141 | * ''Series/GentlemanJack'' (2019, 2022, co-production with Creator/TheBBC) |
| 142 | * ''WesternAnimation/GeorgeAndMartha'' (1999) |
| 143 | * ''Series/GettingOn'' (2013-15) |
| 144 | * ''Film/{{Gia}}'' (1998) -- A biopic about Gia Carangi, the world's first supermodel. |
| 145 | * '''''Series/TheGildedAge''''' (2022-present) |
| 146 | * ''Series/{{Girls}}'' (2012-17) -- A sitcom created by and starring Creator/LenaDunham |
| 147 | * ''Literature/GoingClear'' (2015) -- A documentary about [[ChurchOfHappyology Scientology]], based on the book of the same name. |
| 148 | * ''WesternAnimation/GoodnightMoonAndOtherSleepytimeTales'' (1999) -- A children's special about slumber. |
| 149 | * ''Film/{{Gotti|1996}}'' (1996), formerly the network's highest-rated docudrama |
| 150 | * ''Series/{{Gunpowder}}'' (2017 miniseries) -- Co-production with the BBC. |
| 151 | * ''WesternAnimation/HappilyEverAfterFairyTalesForEveryChild'' (1995, 1997, 1999-2000) -- as of 2021, being rerun on HBO Family |
| 152 | * ''Literature/HaroldAndThePurpleCrayon'' (2002) |
| 153 | * ''WesternAnimation/HBOStorybookMusicals'' (1987, 1989-93) |
| 154 | * ''Film/{{The Heist|1989}}'' (1989) |
| 155 | * ''Series/HelloLadies'' (2013-14) -- A CringeComedy about modern dating, and Stephen Merchant's first solo project apart from writing partner Creator/RickyGervais |
| 156 | * ''Film/HemingwayAndGellhorn'' (2012) -- Focuses on the relationship between Creator/ErnestHemingway and his third wife, Martha Gellhorn. |
| 157 | * ''Series/HighMaintenance'' (2016, 2018-20) -- Anthology {{dramedy}} about the patrons of a weed dealer in NYC. |
| 158 | * ''Series/HisDarkMaterials'' (2019-20, 2022) -- Fantasy series based on the [[Literature/HisDarkMaterials trilogy of the same name]] by Creator/PhilipPullman. Co-production of HBO and Creator/TheBBC. |
| 159 | * ''Series/TheHitchhiker'' (1983-87) -- The first four seasons aired on HBO, while the rest aired on Creator/USANetwork. |
| 160 | * ''Series/HouseOfSaddam'' (2008 miniseries) -- Jointly produced with the BBC. |
| 161 | * ''Series/HowToMakeItInAmerica'' (2010-11) |
| 162 | * ''Series/HowToWithJohnWilson'' (2020-23) |
| 163 | * ''Series/{{Hung}}'' (2009-11) -- Creator/ThomasJane stars as a teacher who moonlights as a male escort. |
| 164 | * ''Series/TheIdol'' (2023) |
| 165 | * ''Film/IfTheseWallsCouldTalk'' (1996) |
| 166 | ** ''Film/IfTheseWallsCouldTalk2'' (2000) |
| 167 | * ''Series/IKnowThisMuchIsTrue'' (2020) -- A miniseries about identical twin brothers (both portrayed by Creator/MarkRuffalo), one of them suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. |
| 168 | * ''Literature/IllBeGoneInTheDark'' (2020) -- Docuseries, followed by a special episode in 2021. |
| 169 | * ''Series/IMayDestroyYou'' (2020 miniseries) |
| 170 | * '''''Series/{{Industry}}''''' (2020, 2022-present) -- Co-production with the BBC. |
| 171 | * ''Series/{{Insecure}}'' (2016-18, 2020-21)[[/index]] |
| 172 | * ''Inside The [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeague NFL]]'' (1977-2008, then it [[ChannelHop moved]] to Creator/{{Showtime}})[[index]] |
| 173 | * ''Series/InTreatment'' (2008-10, 2021) |
| 174 | * ''Film/TheInventorOutForBloodInSiliconValley'' (2019) -- Documentary about the rise and fall of notorious fraudster Elizabeth Holmes, founder of "health company" Theranos. |
| 175 | * ''Series/IrmaVep'' (2022) |
| 176 | * ''Film/IronJawedAngels'' (2004) -- A historical drama about the American women's suffrage movement during the 1910s. |
| 177 | * ''WesternAnimation/ISpy'' (2002-03) |
| 178 | * ''Film/TheJinx'' (2015 docuseries) |
| 179 | * ''Series/JohnAdams'' (2008 miniseries) |
| 180 | * ''Series/JohnFromCincinnati'' (2007) -- A "surf-noir" that puzzled audiences and was canceled before it started making sense. |
| 181 | * ''Series/TheKidsInTheHall'' (1988-92) -- The first three seasons aired on HBO, while the rest aired on Creator/{{CBS}}. |
| 182 | * ''Series/{{Kindergarten|2001}}'' (2001) -- A short docuseries about a kindergarten class. |
| 183 | * ''Series/TheLarrySandersShow'' (1992-98) -- The network's first hit sitcom, about the behind-the-scenes running of a late-night talk show. |
| 184 | * '''''Series/{{The Last of Us|2023}}''''' (2023-present) |
| 185 | * ''Film/TheLastOutlaw'' (1993) |
| 186 | * '''''Series/LastWeekTonightWithJohnOliver''''' (2014-present) -- A half-hour news commentary show much in the vein of ''Series/TheDailyShow'' |
| 187 | * ''Literature/TheLateShift'' (1996) -- A docudrama about the executive conflict surrounding the succession of Creator/JohnnyCarson as host of ''Series/TheTonightShow''. Adaptation of the 1994 book of the same name. |
| 188 | * ''Series/TheLeftovers'' (2014-15, 2017) |
| 189 | * ''Film/TheLifeAndDeathOfPeterSellers'' (2004) -- Biopic about Creator/PeterSellers. |
| 190 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheLifeAndTimesOfTim'' (2008, 2010-12) -- The channel's first animated show since WesternAnimation/ToddMcFarlanesSpawn in 1997, Follows the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Life and Times of Tim]], a man in his mid 20s who almost always gets himself inadvertently into awkward situations. Ran for three seasons, was briefly cancelled then uncancelled for the shows third and final season. |
| 191 | * ''Series/LifesTooShort'' (2012-13) -- Co-production with the BBC. |
| 192 | * ''WesternAnimation/ALittleCurious'' (1999-2000) |
| 193 | * ''[[ComicStrip/LittleLulu The Little Lulu Show]]'' (1995-1996, 1998) |
| 194 | * ''[[Anime/AiNoWakakusaMonogatari Little Women]]'' (1987 Anime/WorldMasterpieceTheater version; 1989-90) -- English dubbed version by Creator/SabanEntertainment |
| 195 | * ''Film/LoneHero'' (2002) |
| 196 | * ''Series/{{Looking}}'' (2014-15) -- Also getting an hour-long special to wrap up loose ends. |
| 197 | * ''Series/LovecraftCountry'' (2020) -- A horror series based on the [[Literature/LovecraftCountry novel of the same name]]. |
| 198 | * ''Series/LosEspookys'' (2019, 2022) -- a comedy and the network's first Spanish-language show. |
| 199 | * ''Series/{{Luck|2011}}'' (2011-12) -- A David Milch drama about horse racing that was cut short by animal deaths. |
| 200 | * ''Series/LuckyLouie'' (2006) |
| 201 | * ''Series/MareOfEasttown'' (2021 miniseries) |
| 202 | * ''Series/McMillions'' (2020 docuseries) |
| 203 | * ''Literature/MildredPierce'' (2011 miniseries) |
| 204 | * ''Series/MissSherlock'' (2018, HBO Asia series) |
| 205 | * ''Series/MrShow'' (1995-98) -- A cult sketch comedy show from the then-burgeoning "alternative comedy" scene, led by Creator/DavidCross and Creator/BobOdenkirk. |
| 206 | * ''Film/MyDinnerWithHerve'' (2018) -- Biopic of dwarf actor Creator/HerveVillechaize. |
| 207 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheNeverendingStoryTheAnimatedAdventuresOfBastianBalthazarBux'' (1995-96) |
| 208 | * ''Series/TheNevers'' (2021) |
| 209 | * ''Series/TheNewsroom'' (2012-14) -- An Creator/AaronSorkin show about politics and journalism |
| 210 | * ''Series/NHL247'' (2010-14) |
| 211 | * ''Series/TheNightOf'' (2016 miniseries) -- A mystery/drama about a young Muslim man accused of murder. |
| 212 | * ''Literature/TheNo1LadiesDetectiveAgency'' (2008-09) -- Co-production with the BBC. |
| 213 | * ''Film/Normal2003'' - (2003 MadeForTVMovie) -- a drama revolving around a married couple where one decides to transition after 25 years of marriage. |
| 214 | * ''Theatre/TheNormalHeart'' (2014) -- About the rise of the AIDS epidemic in New York in the early 1980s, based on the 1985 play. |
| 215 | * ''Series/NotNecessarilyTheNews'' (1982, special; 1983-90, series) |
| 216 | * ''Series/OliveKitteridge'' (2014 miniseries) |
| 217 | * ''Series/TheOutsider'' (2020 miniseries) -- An adaptation of the Creator/StephenKing [[Literature/TheOutsider2018 novel]]. |
| 218 | * ''Series/{{Oz}}'' (1997-2003) -- Predating ''The Sopranos,'' ''Oz'' was HBO's first original drama series with major cultural impact. |
| 219 | * ''Series/ThePacific'' (2010 miniseries) -- A SpiritualSuccessor to ''Series/BandOfBrothers'', this time covering the War in the Pacific. |
| 220 | * ''Literature/ParadesEnd'' (2013 miniseries) -- Co-production with the BBC and YRT. |
| 221 | * ''Film/PathToWar'' (2002) -- A biopic about UsefulNotes/LyndonJohnson and the onset of UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar during his presidency. |
| 222 | * ''Film/ThePentagonWars'' (1998) |
| 223 | * ''Series/{{Perry Mason|2020}}'' (2020, 2023) -- an OriginStory for the legendary defense attorney, set in 1930s LA. |
| 224 | * ''WesternAnimation/PinkyDinkyDoo'' -- Originally aired on Creator/{{Noggin}}, HBO aired reruns as part of a Creator/SesameWorkshop deal |
| 225 | * ''Series/ThePlotAgainstAmerica'' (2020 miniseries) -- An adaptation of [[Literature/ThePlotAgainstAmerica the book]] by Philip Roth, created by David Simon and Ed Burns of ''Series/TheWire''. |
| 226 | * ''Film/PointOfOrigin'' (2002) — A film about [[BasedOnATrueStory arson investigator and convicted serial killer John L. Orr]]. |
| 227 | * ''[[Literature/IfThisIsAMan Primo]]'' (2005) -- one-man teleplay based on the memoirs of [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust Holocaust survivor]] Primo Levi. |
| 228 | * ''Series/{{Profugos}}'' (2011 miniseries) -- First HBO series made in Chile with Chilean actors. A second season was made in 2013 and a third season has been announced. |
| 229 | * ''WesternAnimation/RainbowFish'' (2000) -- US broadcaster; Canada-Germany co-production |
| 230 | * ''Series/TheRayBradburyTheater'' (1985-1992) -- International co-production |
| 231 | * '''''Series/RealTimeWithBillMaher''''' (2003-present) -- A live news commentary and talk show |
| 232 | * '''''Series/TheRegime''''' (2024) -- A satire about the last days of an authoritarian regime. |
| 233 | * '''''Series/TheRehearsal''''' (2022-present) |
| 234 | * ''Radio/TheRickyGervaisShow'' (2010-12) -- A show that adds animation to old episodes of Gervais's podcast of the same name. |
| 235 | * '''''Series/TheRighteousGemstones''''' (2019, 2022-present) |
| 236 | * ''Series/{{Rome}}'' (2005, 2007, co-production with Creator/TheBBC) -- A historical epic cut off prematurely due to budget. |
| 237 | * ''Series/Room104'' (2017-20) |
| 238 | * ''[[Anime/MokkuOfTheOakTree Saban's Adventures Of Pinocchio]]'' (1992) (U.S. broadcaster; made in 1972) |
| 239 | * ''Series/Sally4Ever'' (2018) (co-produced with Creator/{{Sky}}) |
| 240 | * ''Saving My Tomorrow'' (2014-17) |
| 241 | * ''Series/{{Scenes from a Marriage|2021}}'' (2021) -- Adaptation of the [[Series/ScenesFromAMarriage1973 1973 Swedish miniseries of the same name]].[[/index]] |
| 242 | * ''Seabert'' (original title ''Bibifoc'') (1985; first HBO airing 1987) (U.S. broadcaster) -- a French-Belgian animated series about a baby seal and his two human companions who try to save EndangeredSpecies.[[index]] |
| 243 | * ''Series/{{Serangoon Road}}'' (2013, HBO Asia series) |
| 244 | * ''Series/SesameStreet'' (2016-20, with the new episodes airing in second-run on Creator/PBSKids)[[note]]The series began on National Educational Television, PBS' predecessor in 1969. Beginning in 2020, first-run episodes were shifted to Creator/HBOMax, though PBS Kids maintains second-run rights.[[/note]] |
| 245 | * ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' (1998-2004) -- HBO's first major hit TV show, it was followed by [[Film/SexAndTheCity two theatrical films]], [[Series/TheCarrieDiaries a prequel series]] on Creator/TheCW, and [[Series/AndJustLikeThat a revival]] on HBO Max. |
| 246 | * ''Series/SharpObjects'' (2018 miniseries) -- An adaptation of Creator/GillianFlynn's mystery novel. |
| 247 | * ''Anime/SherlockHound'' (1983) -- A one-off dub of one episode aired on HBO, marking possibly the first U.S. TV airing of a Creator/HayaoMiyazaki work, interestingly ''before'' the series aired in Japan. |
| 248 | * ''Series/ShowMeAHero'' (2015 miniseries) -- David Simon's fifth collaboration with HBO. |
| 249 | * ''Series/SiliconValley'' (2014-19) -- A sitcom about tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. |
| 250 | * ''Literature/TheSissyDuckling'' (1999)[[/index]] |
| 251 | * ''Sitcom'' (1983) -- [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The network's first original sitcom]].[[index]] |
| 252 | * ''Series/SixFeetUnder'' (2001-05) -- A dramedy about a family who runs a mortuary. |
| 253 | * ''Film/SmokeAlarmTheUnfilteredTruthAboutCigarettes'' (1996) -- An anti-smoking special. |
| 254 | * ''Sneak Preview'' (1979-1982) -- A monthly look at coming attractions on the HBO schedule, combining clips from the upcoming features with comedy skits. Hosted by Creator/JerryStiller and Creator/AnneMeara until 1982, when Leonard Harris took over. Later that year, it was replaced by ''HBO Magazine'' (hosted by [[Series/TheDickCavettShow Dick Cavett]]), which added interviews with such celebrities as Music/OliviaNewtonJohn and Sugar Ray Leonard to the mix, and later by ''Coming Attractions'', hosted by legendary New York radio host Dan Ingram. |
| 255 | * ''Film/SometimesInApril'' (2005) |
| 256 | * ''Series/TheSopranos'' (1999-2007) -- Six Seasons. HBO's first mega-hit, this mob drama is considered by many critics to be the greatest TV drama of its day and a strong contender for all time. |
| 257 | * ''WesternAnimation/ToddMcFarlanesSpawn'' (1997-99) -- An adult-themed animated series that just predated the big comics boom. |
| 258 | * ''WesternAnimation/SpicyCity'' (1997) -- A short-lived erotic dystopian future noir anthology series created by Creator/RalphBakshi[[note]]the same one that brought you ''Fritz the Cat'', the late 1980s ''Mighty Mouse'' revival that was canceled due to an alleged cocaine sight gag, and the live-action/animation flop ''Cool World'', among others[[/note]]. Notable for being the first American animated series to get a TV-MA rating (back in the early days of the American TV rating system), even though Comedy Central's ''South Park'' would be more well-known in that regard. |
| 259 | * ''Film/{{Spielberg}}'' (2017) -- A life and career documentary about Creator/StevenSpielberg. |
| 260 | * ''Film/{{Stag}}'' (1997) -- A stag party goes horribly awry when the drunken revelers accidentally kill a stripper and her escort. |
| 261 | * ''Film/{{Stalin}}'' (1992) -- A {{Biopic}} about UsefulNotes/JosefStalin |
| 262 | * ''Film/StrangerInside'' (2001) -- A crime drama about imprisoned African-American lesbians. |
| 263 | * ''Film/{{Strapped}}'' (1993) |
| 264 | * ''Film/StuartLittle'' (2003) -- [[ShortRunner Short-lived animated series]] set after the events of ''Stuart Little 2''. |
| 265 | * ''Series/{{Succession}}'' (2018-19, 2021, 2023) -- A dramedy about a dysfunctional family controlling a global media conglomerate. |
| 266 | * ''Film/TheSunsetLimited'' (2011) -- A drama about the interaction between two men with contrasting views of life. |
| 267 | * ''Film/TakingChance'' (2009) -- Historical drama about Marines officer Michael Strobl and his quest to bring a fallen Marine during the Iraq War. |
| 268 | * ''Film/TheTaleOfTheBunnyPicnic'' (1986) |
| 269 | * ''Series/TalesFromTheCrypt'' (1989-96) -- A very popular [[GenreAnthology Horror Anthology]] series, based on the old-school EC horror comics. It's one of HBO's earliest attempt to exploit just how free the channel was in allowing the kind of violence, sex, gore, and offensive language most people couldn't even get with free-to-air TV, let alone basic cable. Spawned several [[TheMovie film adaptations]] and, over on network TV, a Saturday morning cartoon (''Tales from the Cryptkeeper'') and a kids' game show (''Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House''). |
| 270 | * ''Film/TempleGrandin'' (2010) -- Biopic about Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who revolutionized humane handling of cattle ranching. |
| 271 | * ''Series/TenaciousD'' (1997, 1999, 2000) -- A surreal, episodic series featuring the [[Music/TenaciousD acoustic musical comedy act]] of the same name, predating Creator/JackBlack's rise to megastardom in the 2000s. |
| 272 | * ''Series/TheThirdDay'' (2020 mini-series) |
| 273 | * ''[[Series/TheTimeTravelersWife2022 The Time Traveler's Wife]]'' (2022) -- Adaptation of [[Literature/TheTimeTravelersWife the book of the same name]].[[index]] |
| 274 | * ''Time Was'' (1979) -- A six-part documentary mini-series focusing on a decade per episode, hosted by [[Series/TheDickCavettShow Dick Cavett]]. Its popularity led to several spinoffs, including ''Yesteryear'', ''Flashback'', and ''Remember When'', also hosted by Cavett.[[index]] |
| 275 | * ''Series/{{Togetherness}}'' (2015-16) |
| 276 | * ''Film/TooBigToFail'' (2011) -- A film about the 2008 global financial crisis, based on a nonfiction book of the same name. |
| 277 | * ''Film/TourDePharmacy'' (2017) -- A SpiritualSuccessor to ''Film/SevenDaysInHell''. |
| 278 | * ''Series/TraceyTakesOn'' (1996-99) -- A sketch comedy show starring Creator/TraceyUllman. |
| 279 | * ''Series/{{Treme}}'' (2010-13) -- David Simon's follow-up to ''Series/TheWire.'' It never got anywhere near the same amount of acclaim as its predecessor. |
| 280 | * ''Series/TrueBlood'' (2008-14) -- A campy drama about vampires and other supernatural shenanigans based on ''Literature/TheSookieStackhouseMysteries''. |
| 281 | * '''''Series/TrueDetective''''' (2014-15, 2019, 2024) -- An anthology crime thriller. |
| 282 | * ''Film/{{Truman}}'' (1995) |
| 283 | * ''Film/TheTuskegeeAirmen'' (1995) |
| 284 | * ''WesternAnimation/TwasTheNight'' (2004) -- A children's ChristmasSpecial |
| 285 | * ''Film/{{Tyson}}'' (1995) -- A biopic about Creator/MikeTyson. |
| 286 | * ''Series/TheUndoing'' (2020 mini-series) |
| 287 | * ''Series/{{Veep}}'' (2012-19) -- A sitcom set in the American executive branch by Creator/ArmandoIannucci, a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Series/TheThickOfIt'' |
| 288 | * ''Series/VicePrincipals'' (2016-17) -- A SpiritualSuccessor to ''Series/EastboundAndDown'', again pairing Jody Hill and Creator/DannyMcBride |
| 289 | * ''Video Jukebox'' (1981-86) -- Rock and pop music videos |
| 290 | * ''Series/{{Vinyl}}'' (2016) -- A high-profile but short-lived drama about the recording industry of TheSeventies. |
| 291 | * ''Series/{{The Vow|2020}}'' (2020, 2022) -- A true crime documentary series revolving around the cult [=NXIVM=]. |
| 292 | * ''Film/WarmSprings'' (2005) -- A biopic about UsefulNotes/FranklinDRoosevelt's struggle with polio. |
| 293 | * ''Series/{{Watchmen|2019}}'' (2019) -- MiniSeries with an original story based on the [[ComicBook/{{Watchmen}} original comic book's characters]]. |
| 294 | * ''Series/WeAreWhoWeAre'' (2020) -- A MiniSeries about young people who live on a US Army base in Italy. |
| 295 | * ''Series/WeOwnThisCity'' (2022) -- A MiniSeries about a police corruption scandal in Baltimore, co-created by the creator of ''Series/TheWire''. |
| 296 | * ''Film/{{Wedlock}}'' (1991) -- A sci film starring Creator/RutgerHauer. |
| 297 | * ''Series/{{Westworld}}'' (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022) -- A twisty and mind-bending drama based on [[Film/{{Westworld}} the film]]. |
| 298 | * ''Series/WhenTheLeveesBroke'' (2006) -- A four-part documentary on Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans in August 2005. |
| 299 | * ''Film/WhenTrumpetsFade'' (1998) -- A historical drama film set during the [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII Battle of Hürtgen Forest]]. |
| 300 | * ''Series/WhiteHousePlumbers'' (2023) -- Miniseries about the Watergate Break-in. |
| 301 | * '''''Series/TheWhiteLotus''''' (2021-present) -- A dramedy about vacationers who mask secrets of their own. |
| 302 | * ''Series/TheWire'' (2002-04, 2006, 2008) -- Often a contender for greatest drama series of all time, nevertheless this crime and social commentary series [[AcclaimedFlop never found a strong audience]]. |
| 303 | * ''Series/WinningTime'' (2022-23) -- A biographical drama about the Los Angeles Lakers' "Showtime" era of TheEighties. |
| 304 | * ''Theatre/{{Wit}}'' (2001) -- Adaptation of the play of the same name, written by and starring Creator/EmmaThompson. |
| 305 | * ''Film/TheWizardOfLies'' (2017) -- TV movie about the Bernie Madoff scandal |
| 306 | * ''Anime/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz'' (1987) -- An anime (by way of Canada) adaptation of the ''Literature/LandOfOz'' books |
| 307 | * ''Literature/TheWorstWitch'' (1998-2001) -- co-produced the 1980s telefilm with [[Creator/{{ITV}} Central Independent Television]] and aired the 1998 series |
| 308 | * ''Series/YearsAndYears'' (2019 miniseries) -- Co-production with the BBC. |
| 309 | * ''Film/{{Yesterday|2004}}'' (2004) -- A South African drama about a mother with AIDS. Notable for two things: (1) it is the first feature-length film in the Zulu language, and (2) it was both an Oscar ''and'' Emmy nominee, because of its theatrical South African release and television release by HBO in the US (it won neither, though). |
| 310 | * ''Film/YoSoyTaino'' (2015) -- A Spanish short about a Puerto Rican grandmother and her granddaughter. |
| 311 | * ''Series/TheYoungPope'' (2016 miniseries) -- A drama about an eccentric young American pope. |
| 312 | ** ''Series/TheNewPope'' (2020 miniseries) -- Sequel miniseries to ''The Young Pope''. |
| 313 | [[/index]] |
| 314 | [[/folder]] |
| 315 | |
| 316 | [[folder:Other films and television programs produced/distributed by HBO]] |
| 317 | The following list is for series produced by HBO for airing on other networks, or films released theatrically. Some may find their way back to HBO. |
| 318 | ---- |
| 319 | [[index]] |
| 320 | [[AC:Television series]] |
| 321 | * The library of Time-Life Television and Talent Associates including |
| 322 | ** ''Series/GetSmart'' (1995) -- Revival to the original series, it aired on Fox. |
| 323 | * ''Series/TheBenStillerShow'' (1992-93, 95) -- The first twelve episodes aired on Fox, before moving to Creator/ComedyCentral for its series finale. |
| 324 | * ''WesternAnimation/DrKatzProfessionalTherapist'' (1995-99, 2002) -- Aired on Comedy Central. |
| 325 | * ''Series/EverybodyLovesRaymond'' (1996-2005) -- Aired on CBS. |
| 326 | * ''Series/{{Martin 1992}}'' (1992-97) -- Aired on Fox. |
| 327 | * ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' (1992-94) -- From seasons 4 to 7, aired on Comedy Central. However, this show was otherwise independently produced (and currently owned by Creator/ShoutFactory). All references to HBO Downtown Productions and Comedy Central are removed from current prints and home media releases.[[/index]] |
| 328 | * ''Politically Incorrect'' (1993-2002) -- The Comedy Central era episodes were produced solely by HBO, while the Creator/{{ABC}} era episodes were co-produced by Brillstein-Grey/Brad Grey Television)[[index]] |
| 329 | |
| 330 | [[AC:Films]] |
| 331 | * ''ComicBook/AmericanSplendor'' (2003) -- Biopic about Harvey Pekar, author of the comic book of the same name. Co-distributed by Fine Line Features, a now-defunct subdivision of Creator/NewLineCinema. |
| 332 | * ''Film/{{Amistad}}'' (1997) -- Distributed by Creator/DreamWorksSKG. |
| 333 | * ''Film/{{Citizenfour}}'' (2014) -- Distributed by Creator/TheWeinsteinCompany. |
| 334 | * ''Film/DontTellMomTheBabysittersDead'' (1991) |
| 335 | * ''Film/{{Elephant|2003}}'' (2003) -- A drama film surrounding a school shooting. Co-distributed by Fine Line Features. |
| 336 | * ''Film/{{Entourage}}'' (2015) -- Sequel to the TV series. |
| 337 | * ''Film/{{Flashpoint|1984}}'' (1984) their first theatrical feature. |
| 338 | * ''Film/FrequentlyAskedQuestionsAboutTimeTravel'' (2009) -- Co-produced with BBC. |
| 339 | * ''Film/GodzillaVsBiollante'' (1989) -- Produced by Creator/{{Toho}}; co-distributed by Creator/{{Miramax}}; distribution-only; license expired and rescued by Janus Films and Creator/TheCriterionCollection in 2021. |
| 340 | * ''Film/HeadOffice'' (1985) -- Distributed by Creator/TriStarPictures. |
| 341 | * ''Film/HeavenHelpUs'' (1985) |
| 342 | * ''Film/TheHitcher'' (1986) -- Distributed by [=TriStar=] Pictures. |
| 343 | * ''Film/KitKittredgeAnAmericanGirl'' (2008) -- Co-produced with New Line Cinema. |
| 344 | * ''Film/LastDays'' (2005) |
| 345 | * ''Film/TheManySaintsOfNewark'' (2021) -- Prequel to ''The Sopranos'', co-produced with New Line Cinema. It was released on theaters, with a month-long limited access at HBO Max. |
| 346 | * ''Film/MomAndDadSaveTheWorld'' (1992) |
| 347 | * ''Film/MyBigFatGreekWedding'' (2002) -- Distributed theatrically by Creator/{{IFC}}. HBO also produced the sequels, which were distributed by Creator/{{Universal}}. |
| 348 | * ''Film/TheNotoriousBettiePage'' (2005) |
| 349 | * ''Literature/APassageToIndia'' (1984) -- Distributed by Creator/ColumbiaPictures. |
| 350 | * ''Film/{{Reality|2023}}'' (2023) |
| 351 | * ''Film/RealWomenHaveCurves'' (2002) |
| 352 | * ''Film/{{Ricochet}}'' (1991) |
| 353 | * ''Film/SexAndTheCity'' (2008) -- Theatrical film sequel to the TV series, co-produced with New Line Cinema. It was followed by a 2010 sequel. |
| 354 | * ''Film/{{Switch|1991}}'' (1991) |
| 355 | * ''Film/ThreeAmigos'' (1986) A co-production with Creator/OrionPictures. |
| 356 | * ''Film/{{Volunteers}}'' (1985) -- Distributed by [=TriStar=] Pictures. |
| 357 | |
| 358 | [[/index]] |
| 359 | [[/folder]] |
| 360 | ---- |
| 361 | !!This network provides examples of: |
| 362 | %% |
| 363 | %% As with all Creator/ pages, trivia tropes about the creator specifically are to be posted here, |
| 364 | %% not a Trivia/ page, as they technically are InUniverse in the case of the person's career. |
| 365 | %% However: As with all Creator/ pages, items that could go on a specific work's trivia page go there, not here. |
| 366 | %% |
| 367 | * ThirtyDayFreeTrial: Occasionally, HBO will unscramble (or partially unscramble) itself for a weekend, allowing people who don't pay their cable or satellite companies extra for it to view the content, the idea being that they'll want to add HBO to their channel lineup and pay the extra fees to do so. Although these free-preview weekends (which in the past resembled PBS pledge drives with interstitials between the movies exhorting viewers to sign up) were a significant source of new subscribers, HBO's practice of beefing up its programming offerings during the free-preview weekends also meant that many of the new subscribers dropped out when they realized the channel wasn't like that ''all the time''. |
| 368 | * AdoredByTheNetwork: |
| 369 | ** HBO produced ''seven seasons'' of ''Series/{{Arliss}}'' despite its consistently low ratings and reviews well below the station's standard. HBO believed that it targeted a niche audience that otherwise would not have subscribed to the channel. |
| 370 | ** Despite falling ratings that dipped below a million viewers per episode, HBO put a lion's share of advertising behind ''Series/{{Girls}}'' when it was still airing. Thanks to its polarizing lightning-rod creator/star Lena Dunham, her penchant for nudity, and the show's memetic CringeComedy sex scenes, it only trails ''Series/GameOfThrones'' in terms of the network's social media buzz. |
| 371 | ** Surprisingly, after the Sesame/HBO deal, the HBO Family channel isn't doing this with ''Series/SesameStreet'' reruns, instead usually having one or two airings in the morning, while the afternoon is used for the family-friendly movies airing on the HBO networks. This trope was however played straight with ''[[ChristmasEpisode Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas]]'', as it was aired once a day for the whole month of December, with some days having two airings. |
| 372 | ** ''Series/FraggleRock'' was a complicated case. HBO promoted the series heavily and scheduled it in early evenings where it could reach its maximum audience, rather than burying it in the early mornings as it usually did with kids' shows. Nevertheless, when the network hit budgetary problems in the mid-'80s, ''Fraggle'' was one of the shows to get the axe, since HBO wanted to develop more original programming for adults despite the popularity of the franchise. Although the series was produced in Toronto, HBO had paid the show's talent costs, and although CBC could have continued production with a lower budget, Creator/JimHenson decided the show should end on a high note rather than continue and sacrifice quality. |
| 373 | * AnyoneCanDie: A recurring theme among HBO programs since ''Series/TheSopranos'' is that no character, no matter how significant they are, is safe from being KilledOffForReal. It's not uncommon to see main characters who are heavily advertised in their series' campaigns die within the first season finale. |
| 374 | * AttentionDeficitCreatorDisorder: While it probably will never be authoritatively confirmed or denied, some theorize that HBO ended ''Series/{{Deadwood}}'' not so much because they ''wanted'' to cancel the show, but because creator David Milch got bored with it. Under this theory, Milch instead wanted to do his pet project, the [[MessianicArchetype "Surfing Jesus"]] drama ''Series/JohnFromCincinnati'', also for HBO, and the network decided that it would be better to let Milch create a new hit show than continue ''Deadwood'' if his heart wasn't in it. (The "new hit show" part didn't work out so well. ''John'' was canceled the day after the last episode of the first season aired.) Though HBO makes it sounds like this was the case Milch has denied it pretty emphatically in interviews and has made it clear that he very much wished to do Season 4 of ''Deadwood''. |
| 375 | * CatchPhrase: An example of a few of the slogans used through the years: |
| 376 | ** "It's not TV, it's HBO." |
| 377 | ** "The Great Entertainment Alternative" (c. 1977-78) |
| 378 | ** "HBO is Something Else!" (c. 1978-79) |
| 379 | ** "America's leading Pay TV network" (early/mid-'80s) |
| 380 | ** "There's no place like HBO" (c. 1983-85) |
| 381 | ** "Make the magic shine!" (1985) |
| 382 | ** "Nobody brings it home like HBO" (1987) |
| 383 | ** "The best time on TV" (c. 1988-89) |
| 384 | ** "Simply the Best!" (c. 1989-91, using the Music/TinaTurner song "The Best" in image campaigns) |
| 385 | ** "It can only happen here" (early '90s) |
| 386 | * ChristmasSpecial: They were a staple of HBO programming during the '80s, from the award-winning ''Literature/EmmetOttersJugbandChristmas'' to 1981's ''The Trolls and the Christmas Express'' to name a few. |
| 387 | * DeadlineNews: This almost happened once to HBO's boxing commentators [[https://youtu.be/0Y3lISrBago when a riot broke out during a 1996 fight at MSG.]] George Foreman (after failing to dissuade the rioters) protected his fellow commentators and led them away from the chaos. |
| 388 | * DoNotAdjustYourSet: On April 27, 1986, the HBO satellite signal was momentarily jammed and viewers were treated to a test pattern with the message "GOODEVENING HBO FROM CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT $12.95/MONTH? NO WAY! [[[Creator/{{Showtime}} SHOWTIME]]/[[Creator/TheMovieChannel MOVIE CHANNEL]] BEWARE!]". "Captain Midnight" was eventually discovered to be disgruntled satellite TV installer John R. [=MacDougall=], who hijacked the signal in protest over [=HBOs=] exorbitant rates[[note]]$12.95 in 1986 was worth the same as $29.93 in 2018 money[[/note]] for satellite TV owners which were hurting his business. Previously, viewers with satellite dishes could watch HBO for free, until the channel encrypted its signal in 1985. |
| 389 | * EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Seeing promos and such from the late 1970s and 1980s can seem rather bizarre to viewers of today's HBO -- the pace is variable (back in those days, they still ran short films and music videos branded as "Intermissions" between programs); the promo campaigns more over-the-top; original programming was slow to develop and typically consisted of documentary series and comedy, sports and music specials, and even some filmed theatrical productions[[note]]HBO's first weekly series was ''Series/FraggleRock'', which did not debut until January 1983[[/note]]; and kids programming was still in abundance. |
| 390 | ** Imaging in the early years also often referred to the channel by its full name, "Home Box Office," instead of with its initials. And then there was the logo used from 1975-81, which was almost the same as today's except that the B and O interlocked so it looked to some viewers like "HEO." Even after the revised, current logo was introduced during the summer of 1980, the channel continued to run idents featuring the old logo until "HBO in Space" (aka "HBO Starship") was introduced in September 1982, which coincided with a revamping/freshening of much of the channel's visual imaging (i.e. changing the on-screen font used for showing the titles and air days/times of programs from Kabel (also used by MTV) to Century Gothic). And "HBO Weekend" bumpers first used in the late '70s (with the old on-screen font) were still in use as late as 1984. |
| 391 | ** It didn't maintain a full 24-hour schedule until December 28, 1981 (though it'd been running 24-hour programming on weekends for three months prior). Previously, the channel did not typically sign on until 5 or 6 p.m. on weekdays or until about 2 p.m. on weekends. [[note]]The channel's sign-on used until 1981 was a simple still of the HBO logo with an announcer intoning a short welcome message; the sign-off was an animated depiction of a family's bedtime preparations, ending with the HBO logo and the text "HOME BOX OFFICE FROM TIME-LIFE" with each of the letters in the logo switching to black one by one.[[/note]] |
| 392 | ** The famous Starship intro wasn't introduced until September 28, 1982, and there were many variants of it early on, including "HBO Comedy," "HBO Music," "HBO Rock," "HBO Special," "HBO Theatre," "HBO Sports," "HBO Family Playhouse," "On Location," and "Standing Room Only," which were eventually phased out in favor of just the "Feature Presentation" and "Saturday/Sunday Night Movie" variations. There was even an alternate version of the "Feature Presentation" intro featuring a different musical score at the end.[[note]]From 1979-82, they used a variety of "HBO Feature Movie" intros, some of which were later recycled for First Choice-Superchannel in Canada. Various differing intros had also been in use for Specials, SRO and On Location programs prior to 1982. Going farther back to 1975, the channel also utilized a series of now very-dated-looking CGI idents with a disco-jazz background score.[[/note]] |
| 393 | ** Music videos under the "Video Jukebox" branding were a part of the HBO schedule starting in the late 1970s, both as interstitial filler and as a regularly scheduled series from 1981-86. As Creator/{{MTV}} did not debut until 1981 and took some time to grow, HBO was likely many viewers' introduction to music videos. |
| 394 | ** HBO occasionally showed Creator/{{Disney}} films in the days before the debut of Creator/DisneyChannel in April 1983, such as ''Film/MaryPoppins'' and ''[[Film/{{PetesDragon|1977}} Pete's Dragon]]''. |
| 395 | * EasterSpecial: [[Creator/JimHenson Jim Henson's]] ''Film/TheTaleOfTheBunnyPicnic'' first aired on HBO in 1986. |
| 396 | * EditedForSyndication: Due to HBO's status as a premium cable network, it can air its programming uncut, resulting in more mature content than broadcast television or basic cable shows. Whenever ''{{Series/Entourage}}'' and ''Series/CurbYourEnthusiasm'' made their syndicated debuts on broadcast TV, some cuts were made. |
| 397 | * {{Edutainment}}: 1980s and early '90s shows like ''Braingames'', ''Encyclopedia'', and the ''Buy Me That!'' specials hosted by Jim Fyfe fit this category. |
| 398 | * {{Fanservice}}: Has gained Cinemax-like infamy for the amount of explicit sexual content in its original programming over the course of the TurnOfTheMillennium and TheNewTens, with some shows such as ''Series/GameOfThrones'' and ''Series/TrueBlood'' bordering on PornWithPlot. |
| 399 | * FollowTheBouncingBall: HBO did it as part of an April Fools' Day variant on their "Starship HBO" intro. It replaced the typical footage with a cheap, public-access style copy, with the ball in this case following the original music (another variant of the April Fool's intro had a cheap kazoo version of the music instead and no "bouncing ball" lyrics) |
| 400 | * FollowTheLeader: While it was usually Creator/{{Showtime}} and the other pay-TV services playing catch-up to HBO's innovation, Creator/TheMovieChannel was the first to go to a 24-hour schedule in 1980, followed by Showtime a year later. HBO went 24 hours in late 1981 only in response to Showtime's move, despite the initial reservations of many within the company. |
| 401 | * HumbleBeginnings: HBO was hardly an overnight success: its launch in 1972 received virtually no press coverage, and by April 1975 they had amassed only 100,000 subscribers in one state (Pennsylvania). That changed after the channel began national satellite distribution in September 1975: within two years HBO had a million subscribers, and by 1980 it was available in every state of the Union. |
| 402 | * InSceneTitleText: There's an advertisement that HBO put at the beginning of their [=DVDs=] that edits show titles into clips from the show in this fashion. Used to great effect, as characters will seem to interact with the letters, even though the original scene featured no in-scene text/titles. |
| 403 | * InsistentTerminology: "It's not TV, it's HBO." |
| 404 | * {{Intermission}}: |
| 405 | ** The network has occasionally done this for longer films such as ''Theatre/{{Oklahoma}}'', ''Film/TheRightStuff'', and and ''Film/{{Amadeus}}''. |
| 406 | ** When HBO ran ''Film/{{Gandhi}}'' in the mid-1980s, it ran its own intermission graphics with a timer counting down to when the film will resume. |
| 407 | ** Prior to September 1982, the network used the term "Intermissions" to refer to the short films it ran between programs (the same intro sequence was used for music videos under the "Video Jukebox" branding). From September 1982 onward, these intermissions were renamed "Short Takes" (with separate "Shorts for Kids" run during family programming blocks) and Video Jukebox had its own intro sequence. |
| 408 | *** Intermissions in the late 1970s were often as simple as film of a bicycle ride through New York's Central Park accompanied by easy-listening piano music. Short films in that era were introduced with the tagline "Something Short and Special." |
| 409 | * InternationalCoproduction: HBO has had a long partnership with Creator/TheBBC, co-producing British shows in exchange for airing them day-and-date outside the UK. |
| 410 | * KeepCirculatingTheTapes: |
| 411 | ** HBO was insanely popular amongst movie tape traders in the 1980s and 1990s, as far as fans taping movies off the network. |
| 412 | ** As video rental stores became more popular and posed potential competition for HBO, the channel even ran promos encouraging viewers to use their [=VCRs=] to record programs off HBO, so they could watch a favorite film whenever they wanted with no rental fee. |
| 413 | ** HBO's shows are also insanely popular on [=BitTorrent=] sites, due to the vast number of non-subscriber fans of its original shows who want to follow them without having to wait a year or so for the DVD sets (which are often ''twice'' the price of normal network DVD sets). |
| 414 | * KillerApp: ''The Sopranos'' and ''Sex and the City'' were this during the late 1990s/early 2000s, as the first HBO programs that caught on in the mainstream. By the 2010s, though, it's nearly impossible to talk about HBO without also mentioning ''Game of Thrones''. It's not uncommon for people to subscribe on HBO solely to see ''Thrones''. |
| 415 | * {{Leitmotif}}: Part of Ferdinand Jay Smith's "HBO In Space" opener (mentioned below) has become a musical logo for the network, and it even shows up at least thrice in the music of the feature presentation openers used from [[https://youtu.be/KgdnknJuB74 1999 until 2011]] and from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Oj0IsarGao 2017 to present]], and shows up once in the simpler 2011 open. |
| 416 | * LighterAndSofter: |
| 417 | ** HBO Family, compared to its sister channels. Prior to HBO Family's debut in 1996, HBO had attempted on two other occasions a "family-friendly" variant of the main channel: Take 2 (1979-1981) and Festival (1986-1988). Both failed to attract enough subscribers to stay in business. |
| 418 | ** HBO itself historically limited airplay of R-rated movies until after 8pm (Eastern/Pacific; 7pm Central/Mountain),[[note]]Some cable systems in the Mountain time zone opted to take HBO's East Coast feed rather than West Coast feed, which meant R-rated movies could be seen as early as 6pm and shows like ''Series/RealSex'' as early as 9pm, much to the consternation of some parents.[[/note]] and when the channel still aired a fair amount of family-friendly programming, typically showed shows targeted at kids (such as ''Braingames'', ''Seabert'', ''Literature/TheBabySittersClub'', and dubbed anime like ''[[Anime/AiNoWakakusaMonogatari Little Women]]'' and ''Anime/JackAndTheBeanstalk1974'') during early mornings and mid-afternoons. One big exception was ''Series/FraggleRock'', which at its peak was popular enough to be rerun as late as 7:30pm (Eastern/Pacific). With the exception of ''Fraggle Rock'', HBO's family programming, albeit critically praised, was never particularly popular with kids themselves. |
| 419 | * MontageEndsTheVHS: In the mid-'80s, Thorn EMI Video and its successor company Thorn EMI-HBO Video, had a habit of capping off tapes with a series of trailers; before HBO was added to the company's name, this usually ended with an extensive scroll listing a bunch of Thorn EMI tapes as easy listening music played. This habit was abandoned by the time it became HBO/[[Creator/TheCannonGroup Cannon]] Video and then simply HBO Video |
| 420 | * TheMoralSubstitute: Prior to HBO Family, HBO tried to create two of its own -- Take 2 in 1979, and Festival in 1987. Take 2 was actually HBO's first attempt at a spin-off channel, predating Creator/{{Cinemax}}. Both Take 2 and Festival were aimed at older and/or more conservative audiences who found the content of the "parent" channel offensive. Their lineups included newer and classic films, along with a variety of specials. Unlike the similar HTN, Festival did carry R-rated films, but unlike HBO, those films were censored.[[note]]HBO itself showed "clean" versions of R-rated films, but only before 8pm, and they were "official" censored versions and HBO was not responsible for the censorship.[[/note]] As the case with HTN, customers weren't interested in either Take 2 or Festival (Festival was also attempting to cover territory that Creator/DisneyChannel and to an extent Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} had already covered for several years), and both services were very quickly discontinued. HBO would have more success with HBO Family, which simply doesn't feature anything "harder" than PG-13 content. |
| 421 | * MythologyGag: The 1983 "Feature Presentation" bumper has been so legendary that it's been referred to in all subsequent versions, with the 1998 one basically being an updated and expanded version (notice the presence of the movie theater and the city bus) and the 2017 one having at least one of the families featured be a replica of the 1983 one, while another is clearly watching the 1983 intro. |
| 422 | * NetworkDeath: The Indian/South Asian feeds of the HBO channels stopped broadcasting in December 2020. Despite existing for over a decade in the region, the network was unable to find a business model to sustain itself with its small audience. |
| 423 | * NetworkDecay: Currently in the [[NetworkDecay/{{Slipped}} Slipped]] territory. With its initials standing for "Home Box Office", one would expect HBO to show movies, and one would be right some of the time. But originally the name referred to other kinds of entertainment that would sell tickets at a box office, too — standup comedy specials, sporting events, concerts, and theatrical performances. Alongside theatrical movies, there's always been a great deal of original programming on the network. But over the decades even the movies have been de-emphasized in favor of focusing on original scripted series, with the network eventually becoming the poster boy of Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad due to many of those shows being wildly popular and acclaimed. |
| 424 | * OtakuOClock: HBO made the ''WesternAnimation/ToddMcFarlanesSpawn'' adult animated series with the intent of airing it in this kind of time slot, and Creator/ToddMcfarlane ended up using the freedom that the time slot gave him to make the kind of show that ''could'' only be shown late at night when kids were asleep. |
| 425 | * OutOfHolidayEpisode: While other films about the holidays only air on Christmas on the network, ''Film/LastChristmas'' airs even when it isn't Christmas. |
| 426 | * RepeatedForEmphasis: A common viewer complaint in the early years of HBO was how often movies and other features were repeated, often two airings in one day. The channel's explanation was that it wasn't programmed with the intention of being watched for hours at a time, but, similar to a Top-40 radio station, to make sure viewers were never far away from one of the channel's top attractions whenever they tuned in. Eventually, HBO remedied some of the repetition issues by adding more older titles back into rotation while at the same time allowing their "top hits" to stay in rotation longer (since they were required by contract to show each film a certain number of times). |
| 427 | * {{Retraux}}: A couple of HBO's recent tele-movies have began with recreations of their early 80s' idents (although in comparison to the originals they don't look as good). |
| 428 | ** A "World Premiere Presentation" variant of "HBO in Space" aired in 2019 to introduce ''Creator/DanSoder: Son of a Gary''. The visuals were virtually unchanged, but the iconic musical score was re-recorded and sounded pitched down in comparison to the original. |
| 429 | * TheRival: Several. Creator/TheMovieChannel and Creator/{{Showtime}} have competed with HBO since the late 1970s, and during the '80s there were several other, much shorter-lived competitors vying for a piece of the pay TV pie, including nationally distributed channels such as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Theater_Network Home Theater Network]] (HTN) and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotlight_(TV_channel) Spotlight]], some regional pay cable services including Philadelphia's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_(TV_channel) PRISM]] and LA's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_Channel Z Channel]] (the former lasted until 1997 -- thanks to PRISM's emphasis on local sports -- and the latter until 1989, when it was folded into the now-defunct [=SportsChannel=] RSN group), and a bunch of over-the-air subscription TV services (most notably [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ON_TV_(TV_network) ON TV]]). Creator/DisneyChannel, which started as a pay channel in 1983, also competed for the eyeballs of younger viewers and those who preferred family-friendly programming, and was likely a big reason Festival, HBO's short-lived answer to Disney, failed. In the 2000s, [[Creator/FXNetworks FX]], previously filled with Fox-owned reruns, became its main rival, as far as copying HBO's formula and producing a line-up of shows (''Series/TheShield'', ''Series/NipTuck'', ''Series/RescueMe'', and ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'') that rivaled HBO (and was on basic cable). |
| 430 | ** More recently, Creator/{{AMC}}, which has found rousing success with original series such as ''Series/MadMen'', ''Series/BreakingBad'', and ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', has become increasingly referred to as the HBO of basic cable. However, as the former two shows have ended, with the over-saturation on ''The Walking Dead'' franchise and AMC not having much success with their other original programs, this has quietly subsided, though ''Series/BetterCallSaul'' and ''Series/KillingEve'' (the latter shared with [[Creator/TheBBC BBC]] America) have done some work to turn things around. |
| 431 | ** On the streaming side, given its programming lineup, Creator/AppleTVPlus clearly aspires to be a rival to HBO, with an emphasis on original prestige programming with star-studded casts (''Series/TheMorningShow'', ''Truth Be Told'', ''Series/DefendingJacob'') and directors (''Series/{{Servant}}''), big-budget ''Game of Thrones''-style epics (''Series/{{See}}''), and even programming from Creator/SesameWorkshop (''Helpsters'') and The Creator/JimHenson Company (it's now the exclusive streaming outlet for ''Series/FraggleRock'', including the classic '80s HBO series and the 2020s reboots, ''Rock On!'' and ''[[Series/FraggleRockBackToTheRock Back to the Rock]]''). Given its much lower profile and consistently spottier reviews for its content, this arguably puts Apple in the position of an UnknownRival to HBO. |
| 432 | * ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: Bill Mesce's ''Inside the Rise and Fall of HBO'' tells the story of H. Taylor Howard, a former NASA scientist who, circa 1976, built himself the first TVRO (Television Receive Only) earth station[[note]]Satellite dish[[/note]] so he could watch HBO for free and without the hassles of cable, but sent HBO a check for $100 so that he couldn't be accused of "stealing" the service. HBO refused the check, telling Howard they weren't in the business of selling their services and only dealt with cable systems. Only later on, when satellite dishes became more popular -- especially in areas already served by cable (as opposed to rural areas outside the reach of broadcast signals and cable providers) -- did HBO and other cable networks become concerned about the business they were losing, which led to the network encrypting its signal in 1985 (requiring satellite viewers to purchase a descrambler to watch). |
| 433 | * SlidingScaleOfContinuity: Many of its series fall into level 5 (Full Lockout). |
| 434 | * {{Slogans}}: |
| 435 | ** "It's not TV. It's HBO." |
| 436 | ** "HBO is something else!" (c. 1979-1980) |
| 437 | ** "Something special's on." |
| 438 | ** "There's no place like HBO." (1983-1985) |
| 439 | ** "Great movie are just the beginning." |
| 440 | ** "HBO people don't miss out." |
| 441 | ** "The great entertainment alternative." (late 1970s) |
| 442 | ** "Nobody brings it home like HBO." (c. 1987) |
| 443 | ** "The best time on TV!" (c. 1989-90) |
| 444 | * StationIdent: HBO has had many over the years, The 1980s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1NKoMNy5bY "Feature Presentation"]] is almost certainly the most recognized American ident of the cable/satellite age, which is a bit odd when you consider HBO is a pay channel to which a lot of people don't subscribe. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgdnknJuB74 A 21st century refresh]], by Pittard Sullivan, made an even more complex city in CGI that is zoomed through before the message appears and a quickened version of the theme plays. |
| 445 | * {{Telethon}}: The network's Sneak Preview weekends, in which participating cable systems put HBO on an open, unscrambled channel for non-subscribers to sample, featured on-air hosts extolling the virtues of HBO and exhorting non-subscribers to sign up, similar to a Creator/{{PBS}} pledge drive. They also irked existing subscribers to the extent that HBO had to install separate phone lines just to deal with complaints from viewers upset about the interruptions to normal programming or that they hadn't been offered the cushy deals new subscribers were getting. |
| 446 | * ThemeMusicPowerUp: |
| 447 | ** [[https://youtu.be/i1NKoMNy5bY HBO in Space]], the [[StationIdent ident]] to new movies they'd play in the 80s and 90s where the camera goes up into space and the HBO logo spins. It was written by Ferdinand Jay Smith, who would later go on to compose several works for the network. Nothing got people more pumped up to watch a movie than this introducing it. Early on, this logo was used for just about ''every'' program on HBO, not only movies -- concerts and comedy specials, sporting events, regular series like ''Series/FraggleRock'' or ''Series/NotNecessarilyTheNews'', you name it -- and there were a number of variations of the ident in addition to the standard "Feature Presentation" and "Saturday/Sunday Night Movie." Each variation ("HBO Family Showcase", "HBO Comedy", "HBO Rock", "HBO Music", "HBO Special", etc.) had its own unique musical tag that played as the camera angle moved to inside of the "o": for example, for "HBO Rock" or "HBO Music," you'd hear a blaring rock guitar solo. The variations were phased out around 1986 or 1987, as HBO crafted new, separate idents for non-movie programming as well as a new "HBO Movie" ident with a blaring rock guitar/synthesizer musical logo. |
| 448 | ** Inverted with HBO's brief and simple [[https://youtu.be/IxurzKCA5AY original programming ident]]. A Theme Music Power On, but not Up. [[https://youtu.be/RO-zb6TqXZg It's What Connects Us.]] |
| 449 | ** The 1984 movie ''Flashpoint'' (the first of HBO's several ventures into films for the big screen) is the only chance to date to experience this in cinemas, as a shortened version (albeit with a logo credit to "Silver Screen Partners") appears at the beginning. (It was distributed by Tri-Star, but their logo only appeared in the end credits.) |
| 450 | ** For those curious about the making of the HBO In Space opening, [[https://youtu.be/agS6ZXBrcng there's a ten minute making of special on YouTube]]. |
| 451 | *** The set took three months to build. |
| 452 | *** It took 14 hours to film each take of the 20 second sequence. |
| 453 | *** The HBO "Spaceship" was made from brass and was chrome plated -- it was not CGI. |
| 454 | *** The lights swooping around the "O" were ''not CGI nor animated'' -- they were fiber optic. |
| 455 | *** The people sitting down to watch HBO at the beginning were filmed last. |
| 456 | ** Then there were the HBO April Fool's intros, with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn9nw2OIeZU the entire opener being purposely cheaply re-done]], sometimes complete with bouncing ball. The ratings would sometimes mock the films, such as rating ''Film/TheBreakfastClub'' "B for Boring" ("No sex, no violence, WHY BOTHER?!") or ''Film/PoliceAcademy'' "[[https://youtu.be/ylIwfdO11Tw NG for No Good]]". |
| 457 | ** In 2019, a "World Premiere Presentation" variant of the "Starship" (the shortened version, beginning with the fog over HBO City) introduced ''Creator/DanSoder: Son of a Gary''. The visuals were virtually unchanged, but the iconic musical score was apparently re-recorded in a lower key. |
| 458 | ** A ''Website/YouTube'' user had the 1983 HBO opening shown in one of the YTP (YouTubePoop) videos when he mixed the opening sequence with scenes from ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'' with the robotic cat saying "I have come for the fish" (in the style of "HBO has come for the fish") |
| 459 | ** HBO Boxing had a pretty memorable theme tune, depending on which version you where watching you either got a synth/rock track for Boxing After Dark or a more grand version for World Championship Boxing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNS1fso1eeM as is heard here from their early 90's to late 2000's run]] |
| 460 | * TooHotForTV: Too hot for ''daytime'' TV, anyway. HBO historically restricted airplay of R-rated films until after 8pm, except for official "clean" versions of said films provided by the studios for daytime airplay. Anyone who watched HBO during the 1980s will remember the disclaimer "Home Box Office will show this feature [or "this version"] only at night" during the ratings bumpers for R-rated features. NC-17 or X-rated films were off limits entirely. |
| 461 | * VindicatedByCable: [[invoked]] In TheSeventies and TheEighties (early 80s, at least), HBO was starved for programming, so they aired tons of content that was either low profile, low budget, box office bombs or obscure. For a while, it was joked that HBO stood for "Hey, ''[[Film/TheBeastmaster Beastmaster]]'''s On!" |
| 462 | ** Even original programming (outside of unscripted music, comedy or sports specials) was usually more "miss" than "hit" in the early years; the success of ''Fraggle Rock'' was the exception, not the rule, and it would be many years before the channel found another original show that was as popular with both viewers and critics. HBO had some success with its first original movie, ''The [[UsefulNotes/CanadianHistory Terry Fox]] Story'', in 1983, but that was followed by a string of flops lasting until 1987's ''Mandela''. The channel's documentaries, while they garnered much praise and respect from the industry, typically attracted low viewing figures. |
| 463 | * VoiceoverTranslation: The HBO Asia channel RED does this for at least its Vietnamese feed, where a Vietnamese voiceover is placed over the programs' original audio. This extends to the channel's promos, which were originally in English. |
| 464 | * VulgarHumor: HBO has raised this to an art form, as its comedies frequently feature this. |
| 465 | * WeInterruptThisProgram: HBO was the first pay cable outlet to show ''[[Film/ANewHope Star Wars]]'', on February 1, 1983... unannounced, at 12:01am. Although this was the date on which the film had been slated to premiere on all pay movie channels, the surprise airing allowed the channel to claim it had beaten Creator/{{Showtime}} and Creator/TheMovieChannel to the punch (despite the miniscule viewing figures at that hour). Needless to say, many fans were not happy when they awoke and learned that HBO had already aired the film while they slept. |
| 466 | * WrongfullyAttributed: There's a tendency for British people to assume that all prestigious and/or DarkerAndEdgier American drama series are HBO products, including ones that actually are by rival channels like Creator/{{Showtime}}. This reached its peak when Creator/{{Sky}} launched its Sky Atlantic channel for imported US drama with blanket references to HBO in the publicity, despite the fact that many of its highest-profile licenses were not HBO shows. |
| 467 | ** On a similar note, HBO employees who took calls from subscribers in the 1980s often found that the subscribers thought HBO and Showtime were the same thing (this would be understandable, as for much of the 1970s-80s, both services were pretty similar schedule-wise due to rampant duplication among premium TV outlets, meaning they all licensed the exact same movies, often airing them at similar times; with output deals becoming the norm later in the 80s, this generally stopped), or that HBO and their cable companies were the same thing (not so understandable) |
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