Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It primarily features theatrically released movies and original television programs, along with made-for-cable movies, documentaries, comedy and concert specials. HBO's business unit is based in Manhattan.
In September 1966, Manhattan Cable TV Services, founded by Charles Dolan, began limited service, becoming the first urban underground cable television system in the United States.
In May 1969, Manhattan Cable Television signed a one-year contract with Madison Square Garden to broadcast 125 sports events held at the arena.
In 1969, NBC maintained over-the-air broadcast rights to Wimbledon's quarterfinal, semi-final and final rounds.
In November 1970, Manhattan Cable Television's contract with Madison Square Garden to broadcast sports events was extended for five additional years.
In January 1971, Charles Dolan's company, Sterling Information Services, was renamed Sterling Manhattan Cable Television, a cable system franchise serving an Upper Manhattan section of New York City.
On November 2, 1971, Time Inc.'s board of directors approved Charles Dolan's "Green Channel" proposal, providing a $150,000 development grant for the cable-originated television channel concept.
On November 1, 1972, one week before HBO formally launched, Madison Square Garden granted Sterling the rights to televise its sporting events to cable television systems outside New York City.
On November 8, 1972, HBO pioneered modern pay television by launching as the first television service directly transmitted to cable systems. This marked the start of the 'premium channel' concept, offering ad-free and unedited programming for a monthly fee.
In November 1972, HBO launched and started to broadcast selected sports event telecasts produced by HBO Sports.
From 1972, HBO carried the men's and women's rounds of the U.S. National Indoor Championships.
On January 22, 1973, HBO aired its first boxing telecast, "The Sunshine Showdown", featuring George Foreman defeating Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica.
In March 1973, HBO signed a $1.5-million contract to acquire the regional rights to a selection of American Basketball Association (ABA) games for five years.
On March 23, 1973, five months after its launch, HBO aired its first non-sports entertainment special, the Pennsylvania Polka Festival, a three-hour-long music event from Allentown, Pennsylvania.
On June 10, 1973, HBO began broadcasting Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tournament events with the Winston-Salem Open.
On June 18, 1973, HBO provided the first interconnected satellite demonstration broadcast. A heavyweight championship match between Jimmy Ellis and Earnie Shavers was relayed via Anik A.
In June 1974, the National Association of Broadcasters filed a complaint against HBO's New York Yankees telecasts, alleging violations of anti-siphoning rules.
In September 1974, the FCC gave temporary authorization for HBO to carry no more than three of the remaining New York Yankees regular season games.
In 1974, HBO acquired the rights to broadcast World Football League (WFL) games from the New York Stars and the Philadelphia Bell, airing 18 games over two seasons.
On March 1, 1975, the first iteration of the current HBO lettermark was introduced. Designed by Time-Life art director Betty E. Brugger, it featured bold, uppercase "HBO" text incorporating a bullseye mark inside the cylindrical "O", derived from television tuning knobs.
On April 30, 1975, the original HBO logo, which had been in use since the channel's launch, was discontinued.
In July 1975, HBO began regional coverage of the Wimbledon tennis tournament for subscribers in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Arthur Ashe defeated Jimmy Connors in the Gentlemen's Singles final.
In September 1975, HBO became the first television channel in the world to transmit via satellite, expanding its regional service in the Mid-Atlantic and New England areas into a national television service.
On September 30, 1975, the "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier aired on HBO, marking the first program on the network broadcast via satellite.
In 1975, American Film Theatre maintained a non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In 1975, HBO broadcast approximately 25 New York Yankees games.
In 1975, the World Football League abruptly folded midway through the season. HBO broadcasted 18 WFL games throughout two seasons until the league folded.
On December 31, 1975, HBO premiered An Evening with Robert Klein, the first of nine HBO stand-up specials that the comic headlined over 35 years, marking the start of regular comedy specials on HBO.
On March 20, 1976, HBO premiered On Location, a monthly anthology series presenting stand-up comedians' nightclub performances, beginning with a performance by David Steinberg.
In June 1976, HBO signed a four-year exclusive deal with Columbia Pictures for a package of 20 films released between January 1977 and January 1981, in exchange for a $5-million production financing investment.
On June 19, 1976, "The Fabulous Bette Midler Show," a stage special featuring Bette Midler performing music and comedy routines, debuted on HBO.
In 1976, HBO attempted to negotiate the carriage of a weekly Thursday night MLB game package but ultimately balked at the price being asked for by baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn.
In 1976, HBO carried the 1976 ABA Finals, the league's last tournament game before its merger with the NBA, where the New York Nets beat the Denver Nuggets.
In 1976, with the assistance of Trans World International, HBO expanded its sports coverage to include a broader array of events, including the North American Soccer League, Amateur Athletic Union tournaments, and LPGA golf tournaments.
Until 1976, HBO carried the men's and women's rounds of the U.S. National Indoor Championships.
In June 1976, HBO signed a four-year exclusive deal with Columbia Pictures for a package of 20 films released between January 1977 and January 1981, in exchange for a $5-million production financing investment.
On April 17, 1977, HBO premiered "Standing Room Only," a monthly series featuring concerts and stage spectaculars, with Ann Corio's 'This Was Burlesque' as the inaugural broadcast.
On July 1, 1977, HBO's contract to carry American Basketball Association (ABA) games was initially set to expire, but was terminated early following the merger of the ABA with the NBA.
On September 1, 1977, George Carlin's first HBO comedy special, "On Location: George Carlin at USC," aired, featuring the first televised performance of his routine, "The Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television."
On September 22, 1977, HBO premiered Inside the NFL, the channel's first original weekly series and its first sports-related documentary and analysis series.
From 1977, HBO carried selected WTA Tour events.
In 1977, American Film Theatre ended its non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In 1977, HBO expanded its sports coverage to include the Division I Baseball Championships.
In May 1978, the New York Supreme Court ruled that then-Islanders and Nets president Roy Boe breached an exclusive contract with Long Island Cable Communications Development Co. through the HBO agreement and concurring contracts with other New York-area cable systems.
From 1978 to 1979, HBO carried the National Collegiate Boxing Association championships.
In 1978, HBO Sports started using an in-house team of commentators for the Wimbledon tournament coverage.
In 1978, HBO launched Race for the Pennant, a series focused on Major League Baseball.
In 1978, ITC Avant Garde and Kabel typefaces were used in some on-air and print marketing materials for HBO.
In 1978, Walt Disney Productions maintained a non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In 1978, most of HBO's sporting events ceased to be part of its sports offerings, because of their regional appeal.
Until the 1978-79 season, NCAA Division I college basketball games held at Madison Square Garden and other venues were carried by HBO.
In April 1979, HBO introduced a series of six film-based animated "HBO Feature Movie" intros.
HBO had an existing alliance with Paramount dating to 1979, for the non-exclusive rights to the studio's films.
In 1979, The Samuel Goldwyn Company maintained a non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In 1979, the NCAA regular season and tournament events shifted over to ESPN beginning with the 1979-80 athletic season under an exclusive national cable deal with the organization.
Through 1979, HBO also carried various National Golden Gloves competitions, and from 1978 to 1979, carried the National Collegiate Boxing Association championships.
Until 1979, HBO carried selected WTA Tour events.
In April 1980, the HBO lettermark was modified by Bemis Balkind, shifting the "O" slightly rightward and widening the letter spacing. This change was made to address consumer impressions of the name appearing as "HEO".
On August 1, 1980, HBO launched Cinemax, a companion movie-based premium channel as a direct competitor to The Movie Channel and Home Theater Network.
In June 1976, HBO signed a four-year exclusive deal with Columbia Pictures for a package of 20 films released between January 1977 and January 1981, in exchange for a $5-million production financing investment.
In June 1981, the 1975 version of the HBO lettermark was fully discontinued in on-air identifications and certain network promos.
In 1981, HBO Sports Magazine was launched.
In 1981, USGF, AAU and select non-NCAA invitational events remained on the network until early 1981, thereafter limiting HBO's sports rights to boxing and Wimbledon.
In 1981, after MTV's successful rollout, the Standing Room Only series began to produce fewer concerts.
In late 1981, the program opening sequence known as "HBO in Space" was produced by Liberty Studios in New York City.
On September 20, 1982, the "HBO in Space" program opening sequence, produced by Liberty Studios, debuted and was used in some capacity.
In 1982, HBO Sports Magazine ended.
In 1982, Walt Disney Productions ended its non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
The CGI feature presentation bumper, designed by Pittard Sullivan, harkened to the 1982 sequence.
The new sequence, designed by Imaginary Forces, pays homage to the 1982 HBO opening, including glimpses of the HBO "space station" segment.
In February 1983, HBO signed an agreement with Silver Screen Partners, granting HBO the right of first refusal in film selection and 5% of profits from non-pay-cable distribution.
In November 1983, a variant of the "HBO in Space" opening sequence, beginning with a dark cloudscape fading into the city sequence, replaced the early version.
In 1983, HBO Premiere Films was founded, marking the origins of HBO Films. The unit's first original movie was the 1983 biopic The Terry Fox Story.
In 1983, HBO entered into three exclusive licensing agreements tied to production financing arrangements involving Tri-Star Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and Orion Pictures. All three deals were approved under a U.S. Department of Justice review in June of that year.
In March 1984, HBO started its relationship with Universal when it signed a six-year non-exclusivity deal with the studio.
From 1984 to 1987, Canadian pay service First Choice Superchannel reused HBO's 1979-1984 movie intros.
In 1984, HBO Pictures scaled back its telefilm slate to focus on independent film production.
In 1984, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment maintained a non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In early 1984, HBO abandoned its exclusivity practice, citing internal research that suggested subscribers were indifferent to premium channels securing exclusive rights to recently released films. This decision followed the firing of HBO chairman Frank Biondi.
In 1985, HBO Premiere Films was renamed HBO Pictures.
In 1985, an extended pop rock version of the HBO theme, alternately titled "Fantasy", was released as both instrumental and lyrical tracks on Smith's album "Music Made for Television".
In 1985, the 20th Century Fox film releases began that were covered in the non-exclusive deal with HBO, established in January 1986.
In January 1986, 20th Century Fox first signed a non-exclusive deal with HBO, covering Fox films released between 1985 and 1988, along with a production co-financing agreement.
In 1983, HBO entered into three exclusive licensing agreements tied to production financing arrangements involving Columbia Pictures (an exclusivity-based contract extension initially covering 50% of the studio's pre-June 1986 releases with a non-compete option to purchase additional Columbia titles).
In June 1986, HBO and Warner Bros. signed a five-year distribution agreement encompassing films released between January 1987 and December 1992, costing between $300 million and $600 million.
In July 1986, HBO signed a three-year output deal with New World Pictures, costing $50 million and granting HBO rights to up to 75 New World films that Showtime would not acquire.
On August 8, 1986, HBO inked a non-exclusive agreement with Lorimar-Telepictures for a package of theatrical films up to 1989, involving Lorimar-Telepictures as a production partner on HBO television movies.
In September 1986, HBO signed a five-year agreement with MGM/UA Communications Co. for up to 72 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and United Artists films. HBO also signed a pay cable and home video agreement with Kings Road Entertainment that same month.
Until October 31, 1986, an abbreviated version of "HBO in Space" was shown during most non-prime-time programming, and thereafter for early-prime-time movie telecasts.
On November 1, 1986, most variants of the "HBO in Space" sequence, except for the feature presentation, "Saturday Night Movie," and "Sunday Night Movie" versions, were discontinued.
In November 1986, HBO signed an agreement with De Laurentiis Entertainment Group for films between 1987 and 1990, plus a three-year home video rights contract for HBO/Cannon Video.
In December 1986, HBO signed a pact with Soviet Union producer Poseidon Films, gaining US and Canada rights to Soviet-based films.
HBO Showcase was created in 1986 and after it's restructuring in June 1996, occasionally produced drama series for the network.
In 1986, HBO began serving as the primary broadcaster of Comic Relief USA's fundraising specials, which aimed to support health and welfare programs for America's homeless population.
In 1986, Showtime Championship Boxing telecasts premiered, carrying Evander Holyfield's matches under an agreement with promoter Dan Duva.
In 1986, The Samuel Goldwyn Company ended its non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In January 1987, the five-year distribution agreement between HBO and Warner Bros., signed in June 1986, began.
On May 24, 1987, HBO's "Standing Room Only" series ended with the premiere of the Liza Minnelli concert special "Liza in London".
In July 1987, HBO signed a five-year, $500 million deal for exclusive rights to 85 Paramount Pictures films released between May 1988 and May 1993.
On August 15, 1987, the HBO Comedy Hour debuted with Martin Mull: Live from North Ridgeville, a variety-comedy special.
In 1987, HBO boxing telecasts moved to Saturdays full-time.
In 1987, Hemdale Film Corporation maintained an exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In January 1988, the Tri-Star deal became non-exclusive, although Showtime elected not to acquire titles from HBO's film rights lessees.
May 1988 marks the tentative release date for Paramount Pictures films as part of the five-year deal signed in July 1987, granting exclusive rights to 85 Paramount films.
By 1988, the non-exclusive deal with 20th Century Fox transitioned to an exclusive arrangement with the renewal of the contract.
In 1988, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group maintained a non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
On November 15, 1989, HBO launched The Comedy Channel, a basic cable network focused on comedy, as part of Time Inc./Time Warner.
As a result of the 1989 Time-Warner merger, HBO and Cinemax gained pay-cable exclusivity over newer Warner Bros. films.
By 1989, HBO's non-exclusive agreement with Lorimar-Telepictures enabled a package of various Lorimar-Telepictures theatrical films up to 1989, and Lorimar-Telepictures would be involved as a production partner on several made-for-HBO television movies.
In 1989, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment ended its non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In 1989, Universal elected to sign a deal with CBS for the licensing rights to a package of the studio's ten 1989 releases.
In April 1990, Universal elected to sign a deal with CBS for the licensing rights to a package of the studio's ten 1989 releases, bypassing the traditional pay-cable window.
In December 1990, HBO created TVKO, a production arm for distributing and organizing marquee boxing matches on pay-per-view.
By 1990, HBO's agreement with De Laurentiis Entertainment Group for films that ran between 1987 and 1990 came to an end.
In 1990, ITC Entertainment ended its non-exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In 1990, Time Warner Sports managed HBO Sports production division.
On April 1, 1991, Comedy Central was launched as a consolidation of The Comedy Channel and Ha!, which was owned by Viacom.
In April 1991, MoreMax launched as Cinemax 2, in conjunction with HBO2's rollout.
On April 19, 1991, TVKO's first boxing event was the "Battle of the Ages" bout between Evander Holyfield and George Foreman.
On May 8, 1991, Home Box Office Inc. announced plans to launch two additional channels of HBO and Cinemax, becoming the first subscription television services to launch multiplexed companion channels.
On August 1, 1991, TeleCable customers in Overland Park, Kansas; Racine, Wisconsin; and suburban Dallas (Richardson and Plano, Texas) that subscribed to either service began receiving two additional HBO channels or a secondary channel of Cinemax in a test launch of the three channels.
In August 1991, HBO, along with Cinemax, became one of the first American pay television services to offer complimentary multiplexed channels. This provided subscribers with more programming choices.
On November 1, 1991, plans for Cinemax to launch a tertiary channel, Cinemax 3, were shelved until 1996.
In 1991, Hemdale Film Corporation ended its exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
Since 1991, Home Box Office, Inc. oversaw the expansion of HBO's service to international markets, establishing subsidiaries and distribution partnerships outside the United States.
Starting June 6, 1992, HBO began offering weekly pay television premieres of recent theatrical and original made-for-cable movies on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
On October 10, 1992, "Michael Jackson: Live in Bucharest", recorded on the first leg of his 1992-93 Dangerous World Tour, premiered on HBO, becoming the network's highest-rated special with 3.7 million viewers.
In December 1992, the five-year distribution agreement between HBO and Warner Bros., signed in June 1986, ended.
In 1992, Savoy Pictures maintained an exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In 1992, the MLB-focused "Race for the Pennant" ended.
Since 1992, the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival has been held annually near HBO's former New York City headquarters, featuring a movie introduction using variants of the "HBO in Space" sequence.
May 1993 marks the tentative end date for the Paramount Pictures films included in the five-year deal signed in July 1987, granting exclusive rights to 85 Paramount films.
In September 1993, the "Saturday Night Movie" and "Sunday Night Movie" versions were discontinued, and the "Feature Presentation" variant was extended to all films aired in early prime time, with the full-length version being reintroduced for Saturday premieres and Tuesday re-broadcasts.
By 1993, HBO2 replaced its channel-specific on-air look with a spartan 'program grid' layout during promotional breaks, similar to the visual appearance then used by the Prevue Channel.
In 1993, HBO Asia expanded to Thailand and the Philippines.
After the exclusive contract transferred to Showtime in January 1994, in July 1995, HBO preemptively signed a five-year deal with the studio that took effect in January 2000, in conjunction with a five-year extension of its existing deal with Columbia Pictures.
Starting in January 1994, HBO began highlighting a "guarantee" in promotions for its Saturday premiere night.
On June 16, 1994, the HBO Comedy Half-Hour premiered with Chris Rock: Big Ass Jokes, a short-form comedy special.
In August 1994, Charles Dolan, through Cablevision, purchased Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, in a joint bid with ITT Corporation.
In September 1994, Home Box Office, Inc. began marketing the HBO channel suite and related coastal feeds under the brand "MultiChannel HBO".
In 1994, HBO Europe expanded to the Czech Republic.
In 1994, the Brazilian HBO channel was launched.
Viacom's 1994 purchase of Paramount from Paramount Communications had an effect in HBO's deal with paramount, which let Showtime assumed the pay-cable rights to the studio's films in January 1998.
In March 1995, HBO signed a ten-year deal with DreamWorks SKG valued between $600 million and $1 billion, covering releases between January 1996 and December 2006.
On April 2, 1995, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel premiered, becoming the network's flagship sports newsmagazine.
In July 1995, HBO preemptively signed a five-year deal with TriStar that took effect in January 2000, in conjunction with a five-year extension of its existing deal with Columbia Pictures.
In 1995, ActionMax was launched originally as Cinemax 3.
January 1996 marks the tentative start of DreamWorks releases under the ten-year deal signed with HBO in March 1995.
On February 3, 1996, HBO Boxing After Dark (titled HBO Late Night Fights for its inaugural edition) premiered with title fights involving contenders in the junior featherweight and junior bantamweight classes.
In February 1996, Home Box Office, Inc. announced plans to expand its multiplex services across HBO and Cinemax to twelve channels, encompassing a fourth HBO channel and two additional Cinemax channels, originally projected for a Spring 1997 launch.
Following its June 1996 restructuring, HBO Showcase (created in 1986) occasionally produced drama series for the network.
From June 1996 until September 2006, HBO's Saturday movie premieres were marketed as the "Saturday Night Guarantee," promising a new movie every Saturday night.
On December 1, 1996, HBO Family launched, focusing on family-oriented feature films and television series aimed at younger children. This coincided with the launch of Mountain Time Zone feeds of HBO, HBO2, Cinemax, and Cinemax 2.
From 1996, the regularity of the airings of "HBO in Space" decreased as the later HBO Movie intro took prominence.
In 1996, Disney joined the partnership in HBO Europe.
Since 1996, HBO had been requiring the producers of its original series to film their episodes in widescreen to fit 4:3 television screens, to future-proof them for remastering in HD.
On June 12, 1997, Home Box Office, Inc. announced plans to launch a high-definition simulcast feed.
On October 31, 1997, the "HBO in Space" program opening sequence was discontinued after being used since 1982.
In November 1997, the twelve-note musical signature of the "HBO in Space" sequence's orchestral fanfare became the network's audio logo, styled in various arrangements within HBO's programming bumpers and network IDs.
From December 1997 to about September 1998, the Feature Presentation intros were preceded by an intro prelude called "Now."
In December 1997, the Paramount package remained with HBO/Cinemax came to an end. Showtime assumed the pay-cable rights to the studio's films in January 1998.
By January 2000, the CGI feature presentation was standardized on the network, replacing the 1997 bumpers.
From 1997 to 2020, HBO Asia was available in other Southeast Asian countries.
In 1997, Home Box Office, Inc. planned to expand its multiplex services across HBO and Cinemax to twelve channels, encompassing a fourth HBO channel and two additional Cinemax channels. The expansion was initially projected for Spring 1997 launch.
In 1997, Savoy Pictures ended its exclusive first-run pay-cable contract with HBO.
In January 1998, Showtime assumed the pay-cable rights to Paramount films under a seven-year deal, a byproduct of Viacom's 1994 purchase of Paramount.
On January 23, 1998, the HBO Comedy Half-Hour ended its run.
In April 1998, the package was rebranded as "HBO The Works", now exclusively classified to the four HBO multiplex channels and later applied to the three thematic channels that were launched afterward. Concurrent with the adoption of the brand, HBO2 was rebranded as HBO Plus, and HBO3 was relaunched as HBO Signature.
Around September 1998, the "Now" prelude was discontinued from the Feature Presentation intros.
On October 1, 1998, HBO2 was rebranded as HBO Plus, concurrently adopting a distinct on-air look from the primary channel.
Home Box Office, Inc. announced plans to launch a high-definition simulcast feed on June 12, 1997, with initial plans for a rollout to television providers as early as the Summer of 1998.
In 1998, HBO Europe expanded to Romania.
In 1998, ThrillerMax was launched.
In 1998, the Silver Screen agreement between HBO and Silver Screen Partners concluded upon the studio's cessation.
On February 6, 1999, the George Carlin-headlined comedy special "You Are All Diseased" premiered, marking the end of the "Comedy Hour" banner for HBO's comedy specials.
On March 6, 1999, HBO began transmitting a high definition simulcast feed, becoming the first American cable television network to begin simulcast their programming in the format.
From March 1999 until April 2006 HBO HD was called HBO HDTV. HBO HD is a high definition simulcast feed of HBO that broadcasts in the 1080i resolution format.
On May 6, 1999, the HBO multiplex expanded to include two new thematic channels: HBO Comedy and HBO Zone.
On June 25, 1999, HBO Sports announced it would not renew its share of the Wimbledon television contract after the conclusion of that year's tournament, ending its 25-year broadcast relationship with the Grand Slam event.
In September 1999, a new rebrand replaced everything, with the exception of the various bumpers shown.
In October 1999, the current HBO Films unit was formed through the consolidation of HBO Pictures and HBO NYC Productions.
On November 6, 1999, a CGI feature presentation bumper, designed by Pittard Sullivan, debuted. This coincided with the exclusive premiere of Saving Private Ryan.
Until 1999, Real Sports aired quarterly, after which it began airing monthly.
By January 2000, the CGI feature presentation was standardized on the network, replacing the 1997 bumpers.
In January 2000, the five-year deal between HBO and TriStar, signed in July 1995, took effect, in conjunction with a five-year extension of HBO's existing deal with Columbia Pictures.
On January 23, 2000, Turner Broadcasting System and NBC reached a joint three-year contract with the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for the Wimbledon tournament rights.
On May 6, 2000, KO Nation premiered, attempting to incorporate hip-hop music performances between matches involving up-and-coming boxers to attract younger viewers.
On November 1, 2000, HBO Latino, a Spanish language network, was launched, featuring a mix of dubbed simulcasts of programming from the primary HBO channel as well as exclusive Spanish-originated programs.
Since 2000, HBO South Asia has been a subsidiary of HBO Asia broadcasting in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Maldives.
On January 14, 2001, HBO commenced a 13-week Sunday "encore" presentation of the second season of "The Sopranos" in remastered 1080i HD, marking the start of original programming being made available in HD.
In January 2001, Bob Zitter disclosed that HBO elected to delay offering its original series in high definition until there was both sustainable consumer penetration of high-definition television sets and wide accessibility of HDTV equipment on the retail market.
In January 2001, KO Nation was moved from Saturday afternoons to Saturday late nights.
In May 2001, MovieMax, Cinemáx, 5StarMax and OuterMax, were launched.
On July 1, 2001, HBO on Demand, the first SVOD service to be offered by an American premium service, launched over then sister company Time Warner Cable's Columbia, South Carolina, system.
On August 11, 2001, KO Nation ended its run after drawing low ratings.
By early 2001, 60% of available feature films were accounted for in the format.
In 2001, HBO Europe expanded to Bulgaria.
In 2001, HBO and NFL Films began jointly producing the documentary series Hard Knocks.
In 2001, On the Record with Bob Costas was launched.
In 2001, TVKO was rebranded as HBO PPV.
In September 2002, HBO Plus reverted to the "HBO2" moniker.
Starting in 2004, the 2002 rebrand for the network was simultaneously standardized for all of the other channels, except HBO Family. Voiceovers were omitted from the outer channels.
In January 2003, HBO Latino premiered Oscar De La Hoya Presenta Boxeo De Oro, a showcase of up-and-coming boxers represented by Golden Boy Promotions.
Since 2003, the Wimbledon cable rights have been held by ESPN.
On September 25, 2004, HBO upgraded sports telecasts to HD, starting with an HBO World Championship Boxing fight card headlined by Roy Jones Jr. and Glen Johnson.
In 2004, DreamWorks Animation was spun off into a standalone company, leading to separate contracts for distribution rights, the studio's pay-cable distribution rights were split up into separate contracts.
In 2004, Real Sports won a Sports Emmy for its report on slavery and torture in UAE desert camps.
Starting in 2004, the 2002 rebrand for the network was simultaneously standardized for all of the other channels, except HBO Family. Voiceovers were omitted from the outer channels.
In 2005, On the Record with Bob Costas ended and Costas Now launched.
In April 2006 HBO HDTV was renamed to HBO HD.
In April 2006, a second boxing series for HBO Latino, Generación Boxeo, premiered on the multiplex channel.
In September 2006, HBO ended the "Saturday Night Guarantee" marketing for its Saturday movie premieres, which had been in place since June 1996.
December 2006 marked the end of the ten-year deal between HBO and DreamWorks SKG.
In 2006, HBO Europe expanded to Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In 2006, Real Sports won a duPont–Columbia University Award for its report on slavery and torture in UAE desert camps.
Based on the prototype HBO on Broadband service, in January 2008, was originally launched to linear HBO subscribers of Time Warner Cable's Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, systems.
From January 2008 until December 2012, Showtime had exclusive rights to Summit Entertainment films before HBO replaced them as the studio's pay-cable output partner.
In February 2008, Inside the NFL ended its HBO run after 31 seasons.
On September 1, 2008, HBO began transmitting its six multiplex channels in high definition, with DirecTV offering HD simulcast feeds of HBO2, HBO Family, HBO Signature, and HBO Latino.
In September 2008, Inside the NFL moved to Showtime under arrangement with CBS Sports.
In December 2008, Showtime's seven-year deal for pay-cable rights to Paramount films concluded.
From the 2008 rollout of HD simulcasts for the HBO multiplex feeds until the mid-2010s, the majority of pay television providers that carried HBO HD generally offered only the main channel in high definition, with HD carriage of the multiplex channels varying by market.
In 2008, HBO internally developed a proprietary typeface adapted from ITC Avant Garde, featuring bullseye-like glyphs, as a logotype for HBO Sports, HBO high-definition and VOD services, and later HBO Go.
In 2008, Sony and Universal left the HBO Asia joint venture.
On March 2, 2009, HBO broadcast the inaugural edition of the BNP Paribas Showdown as a one-off special presentation, marking a brief return of professional tennis to HBO.
In October 2009, Epix, a consortium between Paramount/Viacom, Lionsgate, and MGM, took over pay television rights to Paramount films upon its launch.
In 2009, Costas Now and Joe Buck Live ended.
In 2009, HBO Europe expanded to Northern Macedonia.
HBO Go launched nationwide on February 18, 2010, initially available to existing HBO subscribers signed with Verizon FiOS, carrying 1,000 hours of program content available for streaming.
In March 2010, Showtime acquired the rights to live-action films from the original DreamWorks studio for five years, effective January 2011.
December 2010 represents the end of the initial eight-year agreement between HBO and Universal, that originally lasted through December 2010.
In 2010, Disney and Sony left the shareholding in HBO Latin America.
In 2010, HBO bought the shares of Sony and Disney in HBO Europe.
In 2010, HBO broadcasted Comic Relief USA. Between 1986 and 2010, HBO served as the primary broadcaster of Comic Relief USA's fundraising specials, which aimed to support health and welfare programs for America's homeless population.
On January 3, 2011, HBO became the first pay television network to offer VOD content in 3D, initially available to linear HBO subscribers signed with Time Warner Cable, Comcast, and Verizon FiOS.
In January 2011, Showtime's deal to air DreamWorks live-action films commenced, following the March 2010 acquisition of those rights.
On April 1, 2011, the CGI feature presentation bumper, which debuted in 1999, was discontinued.
Between April 2, 2011, and March 3, 2017, sequences by Viewpoint Creative were used and modeled on the network's graphical imaging.
In August 2011, Cinemax began premiering original action series, starting with the debut of "Strike Back", which became the channel's longest-running original program.
In September 2011, Netflix acquired the DreamWorks Animation contract, effective upon the December 2012 expiration of the HBO deal.
On August 15, 2012, HBO renewed its first-run film output agreement with Fox for ten years.
December 2012 marked the expiration of the HBO deal, where Netflix started its acquired Dreamworks Animation contract.
In December 2012, Showtime's exclusive rights to Summit Entertainment films came to an end.
From 2012 to 2016, HBO Europe was available in the Netherlands through a partnership with the Dutch cable operator Ziggo.
In 2012, ESPN assumed full U.S. television exclusivity over the Wimbledon championship.
In 2012, Real Sports received a Peabody Award.
In 2012, the HBO Sports logotype was extended for use with Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.
On January 6, 2013, the current Universal output deal was renewed for ten years. The current deal gives HBO right of first refusal over select Universal titles.
HBO maintains sub-run agreements for theatrical films distributed by Paramount Pictures (including content from subsidiaries or acquired library partners Miramax, Carolco Pictures, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and Republic Pictures) for films released prior to 2013.
In 2013, HBO PPV was rebranded as HBO Boxing Pay-Per-View.
In 2013, HBO became Summit Entertainment's pay-cable output partner, replacing Showtime.
In July 18, 2022, HBO and HBO Max reached a pay television and streaming rights deal with A24, giving them library rights to the independent studio's 2013-2021 releases.
In April 2014, a shorter, minimalist intro based around cascading screenshots from theatrical films in HBO's program library was introduced.
Until April 2014, channel-specific on-screen bugs were shown during promotional breaks between programs on the six thematic HBO multiplex channels, but these were discontinued when their respective "The Works"-era logos were discontinued.
On October 15, 2014, HBO announced plans to launch an OTT subscription streaming service in 2015, which would be distributed as a standalone offering that does not require an existing television subscription to access the content.
On March 9, 2015, HBO Now was unveiled.
On April 7, 2015, HBO Now launched, initially available via Apple Inc. to Apple TV and iOS devices for a three-month exclusivity period.
In August 2015, HBO acquired the first-run broadcast and streaming rights to Sesame Street in a five-year deal with Sesame Workshop. This deal was prompted by financial difficulties at Sesame Workshop. Although Sesame Street was to remain on PBS, HBO gained first-run rights and exclusive streaming rights to Sesame Workshop's programming library.
Before the 2015 launch of HBO Now, HBO required its studio output partners to suspend digital sales of their movies during their exclusive contractual window with the network.
In 2015, HBO planned to launch an OTT subscription streaming service.
In 2015, James L. Dolan has owned the Knicks and Rangers through The Madison Square Garden Company.
In 2015, The Walt Disney Company has not distributed their films over a traditional pay-cable service since the studio's agreement with HBO rival Starz ended.
In 2015, a domestic version of HBO on Demand was launched in the United Kingdom to subscribers of IPTV provider TalkTalk TV.
In January 2016, the 46th season of Sesame Street debuted on HBO as part of the agreement made in August 2015. Episodes were then distributed to PBS after a nine-month exclusivity window.
On March 1, 2016, HBO renewed its first-run output deal with Summit Entertainment for an additional four years.
From 2012 to 2016, HBO Europe was available in the Netherlands through a partnership with the Dutch cable operator Ziggo.
In 2016, Comcast Xfinity began downconverting HBO, Cinemax and other cable channels transmitting in 1080i to 720p60.
In 2016, Real Sports received a Peabody Award.
Between April 2, 2011, and March 3, 2017, sequences by Viewpoint Creative were used and modeled on the network's graphical imaging.
On March 4, 2017, a new opening sequence designed by Imaginary Forces, and accompanied by a theme arranged by Man Made Music, debuted, replacing the previous intro introduced in April 2014.
December 2017 was the initial end date of HBO's first-run output deal with Summit Entertainment before it was renewed.
In 2017, HBO partnered with A24 to produce selected original series and specials, beginning with the comedy special Jerrod Carmichael: 8.
Since September 2018, an eight-second variant of the new opening sequence has been used for most film presentations.
On September 27, 2018, HBO announced it would discontinue its boxing telecasts after 45 years, marking the end of live sports on the network.
On December 8, 2018, one of the two additional World Championship Boxing/Boxing After Dark cards aired.
In December 2018, HBO discontinued its boxing telecasts, which had occasionally caused variances in the start time of premiered films.
In December 2018, HBO stopped broadcasting selected sports event telecasts produced by HBO Sports.
In 2018, Cinemax removed "Max After Dark" content from its linear and on-demand platforms as part of a broader exit from the adult genre across Home Box Office, Inc.'s platforms.
By February 2019, subscribership of HBO Now subscribers had reached over 8 million customers.
In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
In April 2019, Discovery officially announced its new venture, which would launch sometime in 2020, replacing DIY Network.
In October 2019, HBO and WarnerMedia agreed on contract renewal terms that would shift Sesame Street and other Sesame Workshop content from the linear television service to the streaming-based HBO Max in May 2020.
In 2019, a seldom-used "World Premiere Presentation" variant of the "HBO in Space" sequence was featured in the intro of the HBO stand-up comedy special Dan Soder: Son of a Gary.
In 2019, the "HBO Plus" brand was modified to "HBO+", remaining in use on a multiplex channel of HBO Latin America.
On December 6, 2023, A24 announced a multi-year output deal to distribute its films on HBO and Max following their theatrical release. The deal succeeded a pay-one exclusivity agreement A24 had maintained with Showtime since 2019, which concluded at the end of 2023.
In May 2020, with the launch of HBO Max, Sesame Street shifted from the linear television service to the streaming service HBO Max under a contract renewal agreed upon in October 2019.
Since its launch in May 2020, HBO Max has used a four-second variant to open films on its main HBO content portal.
As of May 2020, Starz holds rights to televise all recent releases from either studio through December 2021, after which in January 2022, under a five-year agreement signed in April 2021, Netflix will assume pay television rights to its newer Sony films—after HBO declined a request by Columbia during contract negotiations to allow the studio to experimentally distribute its theatrical films via streaming video during its contract window.
On June 12, 2020, WarnerMedia announced that HBO Go's mobile and digital media player apps would be discontinued in the U.S. on July 31.
In September 2020, HBO reduced the frequency of scheduled theatrical premieres due to COVID-19-related postponements of theatrical releases. The Saturday 8:00 slot was occupied by original specials, documentaries, and older hit movies.
Until its replacement by HBO Max on those platforms in November 2020, the HBO streaming service served as a default HBO OTT service for Amazon Fire and Fire TV customers.
HBO Now was formally named HBO from August to December 2020
Since late December 2020, HBO started airing older hit movies (mainly films released between 1979 and 2015) distributed under library content deals during gap weeks in the monthly premiere schedule.
On December 17, 2020, the HBO streaming service was discontinued as a consequence of an agreement with WarnerMedia to offer HBO Max on Roku devices.
As of 2020, Real Sports has received 33 Sports Emmy Awards throughout its run.
As of 2020, most providers transmit all seven HBO multiplex channels in HD, either on a dedicated HD channel tier separate from their SD assignments or as hybrid SD/HD feeds.
In 2020, HBO South Asia closed.
In 2020, Madison Square Garden spun off its non-sports entertainment assets through Madison Square Garden Entertainment.
In 2020, Ole Communications left the shareholding in HBO Latin America. HBO Max OTT service became available.
In 2020, the launch was delayed until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the ability to produce the network's launch programming.
On January 4, 2021, some Magnolia Network programming debuted as part of the launch of the Discovery+ streaming service.
On March 2, 2021, it was announced that the deal with HBO through to the end of 2022 expires.
As of May 2020, Starz holds rights to televise all recent releases from either studio through December 2021, after which in January 2022, under a five-year agreement signed in April 2021, Netflix will assume pay television rights to its newer Sony films—after HBO declined a request by Columbia during contract negotiations to allow the studio to experimentally distribute its theatrical films via streaming video during its contract window.
On July 6, 2021, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group announced it would begin releasing its theatrical films on Peacock after its exclusivity agreement with HBO concludes at the end of 2021.
In November 2021, WarnerMedia and Disney announced an expansion of their output deal, extending it to the end of 2022.
As of May 2020, Starz holds rights to televise all recent releases from either studio through December 2021, after which in January 2022, under a five-year agreement signed in April 2021, Netflix will assume pay television rights to its newer Sony films—after HBO declined a request by Columbia during contract negotiations to allow the studio to experimentally distribute its theatrical films via streaming video during its contract window.
As of 2021, The linear Cinemax multiplex service consists of the primary feed and seven thematic channels.
In July 18, 2022, HBO and HBO Max reached a pay television and streaming rights deal with A24, giving them library rights to the independent studio's 2013-2021 releases.
In early 2021, Cinemax eliminated scripted programming, shifting the channel back to its original structure as a movie-exclusive premium service due to WarnerMedia reallocating its programming resources toward HBO Max.
On January 5, 2022, the transition of the linear DIY Network to the Magnolia Network occurred.
As of May 2020, Starz holds rights to televise all recent releases from either studio through December 2021, after which in January 2022, under a five-year agreement signed in April 2021, Netflix will assume pay television rights to its newer Sony films—after HBO declined a request by Columbia during contract negotiations to allow the studio to experimentally distribute its theatrical films via streaming video during its contract window.
On April 7, 2022, it was reported that after the completion of the merger, Magnolia Network leadership would report to HBO and HBO Max's chief content officer Casey Bloys.
As of April 2022, the on-demand video program in Southeast and South Asia is still on the old HBO Go platform.
In April 2022, Discovery Inc. merged with WarnerMedia to form Warner Bros. Discovery.
On July 18, 2022, HBO and HBO Max reached a pay television and streaming rights deal with A24, giving them library rights to the independent studio's 2013-2021 releases.
HBO maintains sub-run agreements for theatrical films distributed by Universal Pictures (including content from subsidiaries Universal Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Working Title Films, Illumination, and Focus Features) for films released prior to 2022.
In 2022, the expanded deal between WarnerMedia and Disney would be expanded to the end of 2022, with an amendment that would allow half of 20th Century Studios' 2022 slate to be shared between HBO or HBO Max and Disney+ or Hulu during the pay-one window beginning with Ron's Gone Wrong.
The deal with HBO through to the end of 2022 expires.
Through 2022, HBO will continue to release Universal's 2021 film slate under their existing contracts.
On December 6, 2023, A24 announced a multi-year output deal to distribute its films on HBO and Max following their theatrical release. The deal succeeded a pay-one exclusivity agreement A24 had maintained with Showtime since 2019, which concluded at the end of 2023.
On December 19, 2023, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel ended after 29 seasons.
HBO maintains sub-run agreements for theatrical films distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (including content from Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures (except films co-produced by Pixar), and former subsidiaries Touchstone Pictures, and Hollywood Pictures) for films released prior to 2023.
The "HBO Go" moniker remains in use as the brand for HBO's streaming platforms in select Asian markets until it was also rebranded directly into Max on November 19, 2024.
On December 4, 2024, HBO began offering livestreams of most of its linear feeds (excluding HBO Family and HBO Latino) on the Max streaming app for American subscribers with Ad-Free and Ultimate Ad-Free tiers. Linear East or West Coast HBO channel feeds are also available via Max's a la carte add-ons sold through Prime Video Channels, YouTube Primetime Channels, The Roku Channel and virtual pay television providers Hulu and YouTube TV.
Max is being planned for launch in late 2024 in Southeast and South Asia.
As of March 2025, HBO and Cinemax maintain exclusive licensing agreements for film content from specific studios and their subsidiaries.
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