Of course, the HBO channel is behind the series Game of Thrones, Veep, Sex and the City or Succession. But where does the name of this famous American cable channel come from?
HBO is an acronym for Home Box Office. If fans are already familiar with this translation, which sometimes appears under the logo presented at the beginning of the brand’s series, few know why the cable channel carries this name.
In fact, HBO is the first cable channel in American television history. Paid, subscription-based, broadcasts concert events and sporting events, as well as unreleased TV movies and original series. In addition, it regularly shows movies after their theatrical release, allowing subscribers to watch box-office blockbusters from the comfort of their couch.
Since then, the name of the service is all found: the main box office “The box office films that can see at home”.
HBO quickly became known for its high-budget series (at least higher than American TV shows) and its ability to broadcast content without censorship. Drug use, violence, nudity, vulgarity: everything is allowed on the cable channel.
In 1990, the sitcom Dream On was the channel’s first original series to reach a large audience. Written by David Crane and Martha Kaufman before they left to make friends, Dream On follows the life of Martin Tupper (Larry Miller), whose life is turned upside down when he separates from his wife Judith and shares custody of their son. Rediscovering his single life, Martin collects conquests, but especially wants to find Judith.
In form, Dream On alternates the action of the present with images of 50s and 60s television that Martin used to drink. HBO experienced early success, also with The Larry Sanders Show, which took viewers behind the scenes of the talk show.
Famous and unique series began to emerge, more dramatic, from The Wire to Oz with The Sopranos and Six Feet Under, which gave rise to the slogan. “It’s not TV, it’s HBO” (It’s not TV, it’s HBO).
Along these lines, HBO’s next series will be The Idol, which generated a lot of talk during its preview presentation at the Cannes Film Festival. For more, head to our special podcast above.
Source: Allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
