Entertainment
Casey Bloys signs new deal to run HBO Max, Paramount+
Casey Bloys has signed a new multiyear deal to keep overseeing HBO Max and Paramount+, locking in his leadership at Skydance. The deal secures…
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HBO
HBO shows and originals, the premium network behind decades of prestige television.
About HBO
HBO (Home Box Office) is an American premium television network launched in 1972, widely credited with pioneering the modern idea of prestige, auteur-driven television. Owned today by Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO built its reputation through a run of acclaimed dramas and comedies that pushed the creative boundaries of what TV could be, distinct from its streaming-focused sibling HBO Max.
While HBO Max (rebranded from HBO Max to Max and back again over the years) serves as the network's streaming home, the HBO brand itself remains closely tied to flagship prestige programming, award-season dominance, and a reputation for giving creators significant creative freedom.
History
1972
Launch
HBO launches as one of the first subscription cable networks in the United States.
1990s–2000s
Prestige TV era begins
Series like The Sopranos and The Wire help define the modern prestige-drama format and raise creative expectations across the industry.
2011–2019
Game of Thrones era
HBO's fantasy epic becomes a global cultural phenomenon and one of the most-watched series in the network's history.
2020s
Streaming consolidation
HBO's library and new originals move to HBO Max as streaming becomes central to the network's distribution strategy.
Key People
David Zaslav
President & CEO, Warner Bros. Discovery
Casey Bloys
Chairman & CEO, HBO and Max Content
Charles Dolan
Founder of HBO (1972)
Francesca Orsi
Executive Vice President, HBO Drama Programming
Notable HBO Series
| Title | Debut | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Sopranos | 1999 | Widely credited with launching the modern prestige-TV era |
| The Wire | 2002 | Acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of a city's institutions |
| Game of Thrones | 2011 | Became one of the most-watched series in television history |
| Succession | 2018 | Won multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series |
| The Last of Us | 2023 | A critically acclaimed adaptation of the PlayStation video game |
Financials
How It Compares
| Compared To | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Showtime | HBO has historically out-spent and out-marketed Showtime, maintaining a larger subscriber base and a stronger awards-season track record. |
| Netflix | HBO leans on a smaller slate of expensive, heavily-produced prestige titles, while Netflix bets on volume and a far broader international content pipeline. |
| FX | Both chase prestige drama, but HBO's premium-cable subscription model gives it a bigger per-series budget than FX's basic-cable, ad-supported roots. |
Trivia & Fan Culture
Born to broadcast Knicks and Rangers games
HBO launched in November 1972 largely to carry New York Knicks and Rangers games and uncut theatrical movies to cable subscribers in Pennsylvania, well before it became known for scripted drama.
"It's Not TV. It's HBO."
The network's long-running marketing tagline became shorthand in the 1990s and 2000s for the idea that premium cable could outclass broadcast television in ambition and craft.
Chernobyl's critical reception
HBO's 2019 miniseries Chernobyl became one of the highest-rated series on IMDb at release, cited widely as a benchmark for the network's prestige-drama reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between HBO and HBO Max?
HBO is the original premium cable network and brand; HBO Max is the streaming service that carries HBO's shows alongside a much wider library of Warner Bros. Discovery content.
Is Game of Thrones still producing spin-offs?
HBO has continued developing spin-off series set in the Game of Thrones universe, beginning with House of the Dragon.
Who owns HBO?
HBO is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, the media company formed by the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc.
Who owns HBO?
HBO is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, formed in 2022 when WarnerMedia merged with Discovery, Inc.
What was HBO's first scripted hit?
Oz (1997) is often cited as HBO's first major scripted drama, paving the way for The Sopranos two years later.
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