HBO Asia (formerly known as MovieVision, officially launched on 1 May 1992 and officially dissolved on 31 May 1995) is owned by HBO (a Time Warner company). The Singapore-based broadcast network offers a bouquet of channels and services including 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels in standard-definition and high-definition – HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red – as well as HBO Go and HBO on Demand. HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst in Asia.
1 May 1992
HBO Asia was originally known as MovieVision all national movie bioscope commonly fully blockbuster movie premiere was national major film studio production department by Warner Bros Pictures a member of Warner Bros Entertainment and Paramount Pictures a member of Paramount Motion Pictures Group and owner by Viacom is a member of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) it was officially launched as an 18-hour-a-day by 30-home movie cable channel in Southeast Asia securing carriage on Singapore Cable Vision in Singapore.
The Singapore English-language service is distributed via Palapa B2P.
On 1 June, MovieVision successfully completes its first movie transmission from Singapore with Heaven Help Us.
On 21 September, MovieVision successfully completes its first movie transmission from its regional headquarters at New Tech Park, Singapore with Cross Currents.
1993
HBO's regional headquarters is officially opened at New Tech Park by Singapore's Minister for Information and the Arts, Brigadier-General George Yeo. HBO, TVB, ESPN, Turner Broadcasting System, and American Broadcasting Company announce a broadcasters' alliance.
HBO becomes available in The Philippines and Thailand.
1994
MovieVision launches in Republic of China.
20 months after its launch, MovieVision eventually shifts to a full 24-hour service.
In a landmark deal, MovieVision concludes exclusive licensing deals with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Universal Studios, who also become equity partners. The 4-MovieVision Asia partner studios jointly claim 19 of the top 25 films released in the United States during 1993 and 1994.
MovieVision becomes available in Indonesia.
1995
On 1 June, MovieVision is renamed as HBO Asia.
HBO adds Indonesian language subtitles to its full broadcast schedules in addition to closed-captioned subtitles for Thailand and Republic of China that were made available in 1994.
HBO becomes available in Hong Kong and Malaysia, and launches in 3-star and above standard hotels and foreign housing compounds in People's Republic of China.
1996
The Walt Disney Company subsidiaries Hollywood Pictures and Touchstone Pictures become exclusive HBO Asia suppliers.
With its lead movie channel in a strong position, HBO Asia launches Cinemax, a channel for a wide range of entertaining movies. Agreements are soon signed with operators in Singapore, Republic of China, Thailand and the Philippines.
HBO launches on Astro in Malaysia.
1997
Dan Murrell becomes HBO Asia's Managing Director, replacing CEO and President Bill Hooks, who returns to HBO in New York City after five years at the helm.
HBO Asia celebrates its 5th anniversary.
HBO expands to 18 Asian territories.
1998
HBO Asia is granted Ministry of Radio, Film and Television approval to distribute its Cinemax channel in People's Republic of China to three-star and above standard hotels and foreign housing compounds.
In January, HBO Asia commences distribution of HBO and Cinemax to hotels in Vietnam.
Cinemax Asia launches on Astro in Malaysia it was transformations form Metro Goldwyn Mayer.
HBO Asia signs an exclusive deal with DreamWorks.
HBO Asia and Cinemax Asia launch in Sri Lanka.
1999
HBO Asia opens a representative office in Republic of China.
Dan Murrell is appointed CEO and President of HBO Asia.
2000
Cinemax Asia launches in Hong Kong as a premium service, alongside HBO.
HBO South Asia service is launched in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Maldives. The HBO channel in India and the Maldives is ad-supported.
James Marturano is appointed Executive Vice President of HBO Asia and HBO South Asia’s Managing Director.
2001
HBO premieres the most expensive HBO original production ever, Band Of Brothers, across Asia. It is based on the best-selling novel by the late historian Stephen Ambrose. Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg were executive producers for this ten-part World War II miniseries.
For the second year in a row, HBO sweeps top honours in a trade survey, reinforcing HBO as cable operators’ top choice for programming, sales and marketing, on-air look, viewer feedback, value for money and most popular channel.
2002
HBO Asia celebrates its 10th anniversary.
HBO Asia launches Asia's first fully 'tapeless' system, one that fully digitalizes and archives its extensive library of movies and promotional on-air materials.
2003
In March, Cinemax Asia relaunches to be Asia's most exciting movie channel for hits, action and suspense movies, complete with a new tagline of 'Get Into The Movies' and a brand-new on-air identity.
HBO channel receives the prestigious Superbrands® Award in Singapore.
HBO is voted as Asia's best cable and movie channel by cable operators across the region.
2004
Jonathan Spink becomes HBO Asia's Chief Executive Officer, replacing CEO and President Dan Murrell after six years at the helm.
PCCW, the largest communications provider in Hong Kong, announces the launch of HBO Asia and Cinemax Asia on Now TV.
HBO Asia adds Cambodia to its territories.
2005
In January, HBO Asia is the first programmer to have a five-hour block programming in People's Republic of China on China Central Television.
As part of its multi-channel strategy, HBO Asia launches its first additional HBO channel - HBO Signature, in April 2005. This is the first additional HBO channel that will be offered to subscribers in premium markets as a cluster of multi-channel services.
In August, HBO Asia signs an exclusive deal with PCCW's Now TV in Hong Kong.
In September, HBO launches into residential homes in Vietnam through distributor Q.net, which distributes to local operators, including Ho Chi Minh City Television, VTC, VCTV, SCTV and K+.
HBO premieres the second most expensive series in television history, the HBO Original Series Rome, produced at a cost of US$100 million.
2006
HBO Asia increases the number of channels under its multi-channel bouquet with the launch of HBO Family and HBO Hits, which are distributed first through nowTV in Hong Kong.
HBO Signature, HBO Family and HBO Hits are launched in the Philippines as part of The HBO/MAX Pak through SkyCable.
In May, HBO Signature, HBO Family and HBO Hits launch for the first time in Republic of China.
In July, HBO Signature, HBO Family and HBO Hits are launched in Singapore as part of THE HBO PAK through StarHub Cable Vision.
2007
In February, HBO Asia launches HBO On Demand, the company’s first Hollywood subscription movie on demand service in Asia and the company’s first Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service, to THE HBO MAX PAK PREMIUM subscribers on nowTV in Hong Kong.
In July, HBO Signature, HBO Family and HBO Hits launch for the first time in Thailand as part of the HBO package through TrueVisions, and also in Sri Lanka on Dialog TV and Lanka Broadband Networks.
HBO Asia celebrates its 15th anniversary.
2008
HBO takes majority stake in HBO Asia. Previously jointly held by HBO, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment, HBO Asia under the new equity structure is owned by HBO and Paramount Pictures.
HBO continues to lead in Asia as the top-ranked channel with the best programming quality, on-air promotions, as well as sales and marketing support, as voted by pay television operators across the region according to the 2008 Asia Pacific Pay TV survey by Fusion Consulting.
HBO On Demand is made available to subscribers of THE HBO PAK in Singapore through StarHub TV.
2009
Cinemax refreshes as Max, a channel dedicated to action, suspense and science-fiction programs targeted at men.
Mandarin subtitling is offered in addition to Malaysian for HBO subscribers in Malaysia. HBO is the first movie channel to offer dual subtitling in Malaysia.
HBO is offered on the newly launched direct-to-home pay television operator in the Philippines, Cignal Digital TV
Papua New Guinea’s HiTron Pty Ltd and Cambodia's Royal Group add three of HBO Asia’s multiplex channels, HBO Signature, HBO Family and HBO HiTS, to their existing HBO channel offerings.
All 5-HBO Asia multiplex channels launch on Mongolia's Dish TV while in Indonesia, Indovision adds HBO Family and HBO Hits to their existing three HBO Asia channel offerings
All 3-HBO Asia's multiplex channels, HBO Signature, HBO Family and HBO Hits are added to Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC)’s channel offerings, HBO and MAX in Palau.
HBO retains its overall lead for the third year running in the 2009 Pay TV Operators Survey conducted by Fusion Consulting and ContentAsia. HBO tops the movies genre, overall marketing and sales support, positive feedback from subscribers and best value for money categories.
HBO is the first regional movie channel to broadcast in high definition in Asia in October. HBO HD launches on nowTV in Hong Kong, StarHub TV in Singapore, Cignal Digital TV in the Philippines, and on kbro in Republic of China.
The television premiere of Kung Fu Panda is available for the first time in dual audio languages in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
HBO Asia becomes the exclusive distributing agent for Warner Channel and BabyFirst in the Asia-Pacific region.
HBO HD launches on Astro in Malaysia in December.
2010
In April, The Pacific, the highly anticipated companion piece produced by the award-winning team behind the Emmy-winning HBO original mini-series Band of Brothers, premieres on HBO less than three weeks after the US premiere.
All movies on HBO during the Chinese New Year weekend are available in dual sound in selected territories. From the weekend starting February 20, all 9:00 pm (SIN) movies on HBO are available in dual sound in selected territories.
HBO HD launches in Thailand on TrueVisions in May and in Indonesia on First Media in August. First Media adds RED to their channel offerings in August.
HBO retains overall lead for the fourth year running in the 2010 Pay TV Operators Survey conducted by Global Intelligence Alliance Group (the former Fusion Consulting) and ContentAsia. HBO tops in terms of programming quality, the movies genre and best value for money categories.
Screen Red, Warner Channel and BabyFirst launch on Telekom Malaysia in October.
Warner Channel launches in Republic of China on DishHD in September.
Screen Red is distributed across various parts of The Philippines with Cable Boss.
HBO Asia wins two gold (Best Logo Design for RED and Best Collateral for The Pacific) and two silver awards (Best Print for Chick Flicks campaign and Something For Nothing for Cinemax War Movies stunt) at the PromaxBDA Asia 2010 Awards.
HBO HD launches in Sri Lanka in December.
2011
HBO HD launches in Vietnam.
HBO Asia increases its high-definition channel offering to two with HBO Hits HD which delivers Hollywood blockbuster hits 24-hours in daily, commercial-free in 100% true high-definition television. HBO Hits HD mirrors the programming on HBO Hits HD and is available in Indonesia on First Media In this same month, Screen Red is also launched on Global Destiny Cable in the Philippines. In Malaysia, prime-time programs on HBO shift by an hour to 10:00 pm.
HBO Hits HD is also available in Singapore on StarHub TV and in Republic of China on several cable and satellite operators. In Malaysia, selected Sunday prime-time movies are now available in dual language.
The prime time for HBO is shifted to 10:00 pm (9:00 pm Thai/JKT) while prime time for HBO Family shifted to 7:00 pm (6:00 pm Thai/JKT). In addition to Sunday prime-time movies, Saturday prime-time movies are also available in dual language in Malaysia. HBO On Demand launches in Vietnam.
2012
HBO Asia celebrates its 20th anniversary.
HBO Asia strengthens content for 2012 with more than 140 hours of original programming, a 40% increase in original series compared to 2011.
The television premiere of The Bodyguard is available for the first time in dual audio languages in United States and Canada while full broadcast schedules in addition to closed-captioned subtitles in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Republic of China.
HBO Asia jointly develops Dead Mine, the first original co-production with Infinite Frameworks.
In May, HBO Asia migrates all HBO Services on satellite Apstar 2R (also known as Telstar 10) to Apstar 7.
In June, HBO Original movie Hemingway & Gellhorn premieres on HBO just days after its US premiere.
HBO expands its High Definition Channels by adding HBO Family HD and HBO Signature HD. This services is currently available through First Media subscribers in Indonesia
2013
HBO Asia, nowTV and SkyCable officially launched HBO GO in Hong Kong and the Philippines on February 28 for HBO Super Pak subscribers.
HBO Asia and Eros International launch India's first 100% advertising free channels - HBO Hits and HBO Defined in Standard Definition and High Definition - on February 21, 2013 with two DTH operators Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV under the banner of Home Box Office India Pvt. Ltd.
In May, HBO Signature, HBO Hits and HBO Family launch in Malaysia on the Astro B.yond IPTV platform.
HBO Asia wins gold and silver awards at the 2013 PromaxBDA Promotion, Marketing and Design Global Excellence Awards held in Los Angeles on 20 June.
In August, HBO Asia records and presents the movie Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, with a Bahasa Indonesia / Bahasa Malaysia audio option for the first time in Indonesia and Singapore, with regional celebrities lending their voices to the characters.
HBO Asia’s first prime-time drama series Serangoon Road premieres on 22 September. A co-production with Australia’s ABC TV, this ten episode hour-long fast-paced detective drama series is set against the exotic, tumultuous backdrop of 1960s Singapore and stars Hollywood’s Joan Chen, Australia’s Don Hany, Hollywood-based Singaporean Chin Han, Indonesian Ario Bayu, Singaporeans Alaric Tay and Pamelyn Chee, and many more.
In October, HBO Asia’s distribution increases to 23 territories with HBO/HBO HD and Cinemax launching in Myanmar. Screen RED launches in Thailand and Myanmar.
In the same month, Cinemax and RED launch in high definition; all of HBO Asia’s channels are now available in high definition.
From November, new HBO Originals premiere in Asia within one week of their debut in the United States
In December, HBO Defined and HBO Hits launch on India’s leading DTH platform, TataSky, increasing the channel's distribution across 11 leading DTH and digital cable platforms in India
2014
HBO GO launches in the Philippines in March, exclusively with SkyCable.
In July, HBO Asia premieres HBO and Cinemax Original scripted content less than a day after the United States, starting with The Knick.
HBO Asia engages in the largest audience outreach to date in August, offering a free preview of its content for the very first time via streaming on its website and YouTube channel, as well as nowTV's Video Express First platform starting with the full pilot episode of The Knick.
HBO Asia's four-part horror miniseries, Grace, premieres in October. Starring Russell Wong, Grace is the first production wholly conceived and developed in-house by HBO Asia.
In December, HBO Asia wins exclusive distribution rights as the only regional network with the rights to broadcast the Oscars® live.
2015
HBO Asia, the new home of the Oscars® in the region, brings a complete Oscars® experience across multiple screens to complement HBO's live on-air broadcast of The 87th Annual Academy Awards®, with exclusive direct-from-Hollywood red carpet pictures and interviews, and backstage interviews on HBO Asia's website and social media platforms.
In April, HBO Asia announces the live simulcast of its Original content, starting with season five of Game of Thrones premiering in Asia same time as the United States.
July 1: DreamWorks Channel officially launches. HBO Asia is the official distributor of the DreamWorks Channel in Asia, available in Thailand via CTH (July) and Malaysia via TM's HyppTV (September).
HBO GO launches as a standalone over-the-top streaming service without a pay TV subscription in Hong Kong via nowTV (April) and in Singapore via StarHub Go (August).
On October 1, SCREEN RED is rebranded as RED BY HBO, bringing to viewers a new vibrant look and internationally acclaimed content from Southeast Asia, in addition to those from Japan, Korea and Greater China.
2017
On January 1, HBO Asia's channels in Thailand left TrueVisions and launched on AIS Play including HBO GO in February.
1992–2009: Simply The Best
2009–present: It's Not TV, It's HBO.
HBO Asia has licensing deals with four major Hollywood conglomerates Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros, in addition to its proprietary HBO Original programmes. It also licences content from The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Marvel Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, MGM Studios, Lionsgate, Relativity Media, Millennium Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, CBS, Europacorp, FilmNation Entertainment, Focus Features, IM Global, Morgan Creek, New Line, Paramount Classics, Screen Gems, Sony Picture Classics, Village Roadshow, and Warner Independent Pictures.
HBO Central is a monthly program giving information about which movies and series will be shown in the coming month.
New seasons of HBO's Original Series or Original Productions air on Sunday nights.
HBO Asia is heavily censored in South East Asia, with many shows such as
Sex and the City,
The Sopranos,
Entourage,
The Wire,
Hung,
Girls,
True Blood,
Game of Thrones and
Boardwalk Empire aired in edited versions; certain programmes are not shown in some territories at all.
The HBO-made series
Entourage was taken off-air for three weeks by one cable operator in the Philippines pending clearance by MTRCB. The entire series continued to air without disruption on all other Philippines cable operators.
In Vietnam, every movie with content which is considered to oppose or distort the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Communist Party or Communism is replaced by a black screen or another film. In addition, if the Ministry of Culture and Information considers a movie has contents of a serious sexual or horrific nature not conforming with Vietnamese society, it will not be aired.
HBO airs a separate feed with commercial breaks for viewers in South Asia except Nepal ( where the Asian feed is carried ) .The channel is labeled as HBO South Asia and often referred to as HBO India since it specifically caters to the Indian market. All movie promos in this beam are according to IST. This channel is also available to viewers in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan.
HBO Asia and Eros International launched HBO Defined and HBO Hits across India on February 21, 2013 on Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV. These channels are commercial-free and available in both SD and HD formats. The content of both the channels include movies as well as HBO Original Programming. HBO Defined was shut down on December 31, 2015 while HBO Hits was replaced by HBO HD on September 4, 2016.
In Pakistan, HBO is available as HBO Pakistan. It is a simulcast of HBO India with slight modifications and running in PST.
HBO Nepal is the Asian bounquet of HBO channels carried out in Nepal which include HBO, HBO HD and Cinemax and. HBO Nepal is available on all major networks like dth, digital cable opertors streaming media and IPTVs in Nepal.
Malaysia
Astro
Myanmar
Sky Net DTH
4TV
Philippines
SkyCable
Destiny Cable
Telmarc Cable
Cable Boss
Cablelink
Dream Satellite TV
Cignal TV
Hong Kong
now TV
Indonesia
First Media
IndosatM2
Transvision
Indovision
aora TV Satelit
Groovia TV
Singapore
StarHub TV
China
CITV China
Macau
Macau Cable TV
Taiwan
CNS Total TV
DishHD Asia
Vietnam
VTVcab - Vietnam Cable Television
VTC
SCTV - Saigontourist Cable Television
HTVC - Ho Chi Minh City Cable Television
HanoiCab (previously HCaTV) - Hanoi Cable Television
K+ - Vietnam Satellite Digital Television
MobiTV (previously AVG - An Vien TV) - MobiFone
MyTV - VNPT
FPT Television - FPT Telecom
Viettel TV
Bangladesh
Maldives
Pakistan
PTCL Smart TV
WorldCall
Southern Networks
NayaTel
DWN
India
Tata Sky
Dish TV
Airtel digital TV
Reliance Digital TV
Videocon d2h
Sun Direct
Nepal
Dish Home
Sri Lanka
DialogTV
Lanka Broadband Networks
PEO TV
On the start of 2017 TrueVision of Thailand lost rights to HBO channels removing them respectively
