HBO: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Alternate meanings in HBO (disambiguation)

HBO (Home Box Office) is a pay cable television network in the United States which airs Hollywood movies, self-produced full-length feature films, and various weekly series. Some of its popular series past and present include The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. HBO broadcasts boxing matches under the banner name HBO Boxing.

HBO was the first cable network to originate as a non-terrestrial broadcast TV network. HBO went on the air in 1972 and was originally transmitted via terrestrial microwave towers. In 1975, HBO became the first TV network to broadcast its signals via satellite when it showed the "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. In 1986, HBO also became the first satellite network to encrypt its signal from unauthorized viewing. Later, HBO was one of the first cable TV networks to broadcast an HDTV version of its channel.

HBO has also developed a reputation for offering very high quality original programming. HBO is a subscription-only service and does not carry normal commercials; both of these factors relieve HBO from pressures to tone down controvesial aspects in their programs, thus allowing for explicit themes, such as graphic violence, explicit sex and profanity.

HBO has several companion digital cable and satellite television channels such as HBO 2, HBO Comedy, HBO Family, HBO Latino, HBO Signature, and HBO Zone. HBO also owns the Cinemax channels.

Time Warner owns HBO.

HBO original programming

These are shows that are either currently on HBO or have been on it in the past.

• Arliss (1996-2003)
• Band of Brothers (with the BBC)
• Boxing After Dark
• Carnivàle
• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Da Ali G Show
• Def Comedy Jam
• Def Poetry
• Deadwood
• Dream On
• Entourage
• Fraggle Rock
• From the Earth to the Moon
• Inside the NFL
• K Street
• The Larry Sanders Show
• Live From Baghdad
• Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995-1998)
• Not Necessarily the News (1983-1990)
• Oz
• Perversions of Science
• Real Time With Bill Maher
• Real Sex
• Real Sports
• Sex and the City
• Sex Bytes
• Six Feet Under
• Sports of the 20th Century documentaries
• The Sopranos
• Tales from the Crypt
• The Wire
• World Championship Boxing