Home Box Office has committed to making all 26 feeds of its HBO and Cinemax multiplex channels available in HD, announced Bill Nelson, chairman & CEO, HBO. The rollout will begin later this year, with anticipated completion by the end of Q2 2008.
“We have a long history of firsts in technology – satellite, multiplex and SVOD. Such a commitment reinforces our tradition of giving our customers the best programming when they want it and how they want it” said Nelson in a prepared statement. “This move further solidifies HBO’s leadership in the premium category.”
Home Box Office was the first national cable network to offer HD feeds, with HBO HDTV launching in 1999 and Cinemax HDTV in 2003. Each of the 15 multiplex channels has a distinct programming and on-air identity that appeals to targeted segments of the network’s broader audience, providing subscribers with even more access to the kinds of programmes they want to see at no extra cost.