HBO Television -- How to explain?

ashatumar · 06-23-2007, 12:58 PM

Let me start by saying I watch the majority of HBO programming, and will check out anything on the channel simply because of the brand -- I think a lot of people here might do the same.

I've got a few friends that I check in with weekly to watercooler chat the week's run of episodes -- we all love it.

My girlfriend on the other hand, her and her circle of friends think all HBO shows are the same, and not worth their attention.

Their loss, I know, but I've found myself at a loss for words why I believe their programming is top notch. Initially I thought I could get away with "it appeals to an older crowd, you have to know the plot lines for it all to make sense," but that's not working. Has anyone else given this some thought and have some insights?

Twobit Whore · 06-23-2007, 01:01 PM

Does she watch reality TV? All that shit is the same to me, but people like my mom could tell you the life story of every person on every American Idol clone.

Mario Speedwagon · 06-23-2007, 01:02 PM

Well what kind of shows does she like? Then maybe we can tell her why she is wrong. So very wrong.

Grimmlokk · 06-23-2007, 01:17 PM

The vast majority of people are stupid and have bad taste. Don't act surprised when people act like people=P

ashatumar · 06-23-2007, 01:21 PM

She watches anime and little else on TV, the Anime OnDemand stuff. Truth be told, I don't think she ever likes anything we watch that involves live action... this may be the root of the problem. As for her friends... shrugs.

Twobit Whore · 06-23-2007, 01:23 PM

So you think the shows you like are for people who are 'older' then her and all she does like is cartoons... yeah, I am beginning to see the problem here.

Kolle · 06-23-2007, 01:46 PM

HBO does what some of us wish the main networks had the balls to do. They care more about quality than $$$. Although, I'm sure HBO cares plenty about money and they will cut a show if it costs too much...we all miss carnivale and would have loved more rome.

A great example is Sci-Fi network. They're owned by NBC universal i think. They canceled Farscape because ratings weren't high enough. They weren't getting rich enough due to the ratings and the show budget. They replaced it with Tremors: The Series. A crappy, low budget pos. It's gone now too, but that shows what they're about.

HBO seems to be more concerned about putting on good shows than most of the rest. The shows are good because they aren't copies of everything already on TV. The main networks will shovel out shitty shows without hesitation. How many years have we seen the same shitty 30 minute sitcom show? Idiots standing in front of an audience (maybe) telling stupid jokes at the presribed XJokes/minute formula. How many fucking doctor shows do we really need that are nothing more than the same show that was on 10 years ago?

It would be nice if TV had nothing to do with profit.

WarderX · 06-23-2007, 02:05 PM

They're able to afford to pay the best writers, get the best crew, etc... Production value is just really high.

Aside from that, the big picture is that all these shows probably started out not even knowing if they would be on TV, let alone HBO. HBO is part of time warner, a company that owns a lot of what you see on tv (but not as much as viacom) and if they find a great show, if it's truly special, it probably gets defaulted to HBO over all the other crappy channels first.

Burkex · 06-23-2007, 03:38 PM

HBO has a ton of advantages over regular TV and other cable.

Regular TV has huge restrictions, where as HBO has no commercials and no restrictions, so they can swear, have nudity, adult content, and so on. That right there blows away regular tv.

The other thing HBO has going for it is that it doesn't rely on commercials and show ratings for it's money. People pay a monthly fee to HBO so HBO shows can afford great actors, writers, etc. Regular TV shows have to make pilots and then need good ratings to continue so that they make money via the commercials, so it is a huge risk making a new show. HBO can make an entire new season and put more money into it because their money is pretty much guarenteed.

Finally, HBO has a great reputation of putting out good shows/award winning shows. Because of this more people watch HBO shows because of there reputation and also stars want to be in HBO shows because of the reputation and the possibility to be on an award winning show.

brekk · 06-23-2007, 03:48 PM

This trend holds true for Showtime, another premium channel.

Both have large amounts of funds, not dependant on commercials, and free reign to do as they want on their shows.

Both channel's shows draw in the best directors and writers, because even if they don't need the nudity, and profanity, what if they come up with a story where one scene would really work better with nudity, or profanity, they have that option even if they don't always use it.

COMMERCIALS. You'd be amazed how much quality is added to a show when you arent watching it in 5min snippets with 2 minute breaks.

Edit: And like has been mentioned it sorta creates a snowball effect. HBO/Showtime get reputation for excellent shows, more people subscribe, more actors/directors/writers want to work for them, they can afford bigger budgets, and make even better shows which draw in more people. It's capitalism at work and the viewers benefit.

Burkex · 06-23-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brekk

COMMERCIALS. You'd be amazed how much quality is added to a show when you arent watching it in 5min snippets with 2 minute breaks.

Yea. You really realize this when you rent Lost or 24 or any other tv show on DVD, where it is commercial free. It is 100x better without the commercials.

Kolle · 06-23-2007, 04:31 PM

the only live TV i watch is sports because of commercials. i can't recall a time where i sat and watched a show as it first aired.

Soygen · 06-23-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolle

the only live TV i watch is sports because of commercials. i can't recall a time where i sat and watched a show as it first aired.

Seriously. I find that even if I am free to watch a show live, I will instead let the DVR catch it and then watch it later, commercial-free.

Mario Speedwagon · 06-23-2007, 04:42 PM

The worst thing is that a lot of shows have their commercial blocks bought by the same company so you can end up seeing the same commercial 3+ times during one show. God that shit is annoying.

Ham n Cheese · 06-23-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashatumar

She watches anime and little else on TV, the Anime OnDemand stuff. Truth be told, I don't think she ever likes anything we watch that involves live action... this may be the root of the problem. As for her friends... shrugs.

my former roommate was the same. I couldn't get him to watch shit with real people.

06-23-2007, 12:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
ashatumar R gis er d Us r Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 629 -1 Internets	HBO Television -- How to explain? Let me start by saying I watch the majority of HBO programming, and will check out anything on the channel simply because of the brand -- I think a lot of people here might do the same. I've got a few friends that I check in with weekly to watercooler chat the week's run of episodes -- we all love it. My girlfriend on the other hand, her and her circle of friends think all HBO shows are the same, and not worth their attention. Their loss, I know, but I've found myself at a loss for words why I believe their programming is top notch. Initially I thought I could get away with "it appeals to an older crowd, you have to know the plot lines for it all to make sense," but that's not working. Has anyone else given this some thought and have some insights?

06-23-2007, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Twobit Whore Insert Quarter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9,052 -23 Internets	Does she watch reality TV? All that shit is the same to me, but people like my mom could tell you the life story of every person on every American Idol clone. __________________ I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hand. I ball my fists and you gonna know where I stand.

06-23-2007, 01:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Grimmlokk Unlicensed Vaginoplasty Surgeon Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,484 +13 Internets	The vast majority of people are stupid and have bad taste. Don't act surprised when people act like people=P __________________ "The eyes are the groin of the face"

06-23-2007, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Twobit Whore Insert Quarter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9,052 -23 Internets	So you think the shows you like are for people who are 'older' then her and all she does like is cartoons... yeah, I am beginning to see the problem here. __________________ I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hand. I ball my fists and you gonna know where I stand.

06-23-2007, 03:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Burkex It's Lord of the Flies time. Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,515 -35 Internets	HBO has a ton of advantages over regular TV and other cable. Regular TV has huge restrictions, where as HBO has no commercials and no restrictions, so they can swear, have nudity, adult content, and so on. That right there blows away regular tv. The other thing HBO has going for it is that it doesn't rely on commercials and show ratings for it's money. People pay a monthly fee to HBO so HBO shows can afford great actors, writers, etc. Regular TV shows have to make pilots and then need good ratings to continue so that they make money via the commercials, so it is a huge risk making a new show. HBO can make an entire new season and put more money into it because their money is pretty much guarenteed. Finally, HBO has a great reputation of putting out good shows/award winning shows. Because of this more people watch HBO shows because of there reputation and also stars want to be in HBO shows because of the reputation and the possibility to be on an award winning show. __________________ "If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love." My favorite comment (-1): "Your posts make me want to gouge my own eyes out."

06-23-2007, 01:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mario Speedwagon Banned Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: 3rd Place Posts: 1,016 +0 Internets	Well what kind of shows does she like? Then maybe we can tell her why she is wrong. So very wrong.

06-23-2007, 01:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
ashatumar R gis er d Us r Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 629 -1 Internets	She watches anime and little else on TV, the Anime OnDemand stuff. Truth be told, I don't think she ever likes anything we watch that involves live action... this may be the root of the problem. As for her friends... shrugs.

06-23-2007, 01:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kolle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,879 -25 Internets	HBO does what some of us wish the main networks had the balls to do. They care more about quality than $$$. Although, I'm sure HBO cares plenty about money and they will cut a show if it costs too much...we all miss carnivale and would have loved more rome. A great example is Sci-Fi network. They're owned by NBC universal i think. They canceled Farscape because ratings weren't high enough. They weren't getting rich enough due to the ratings and the show budget. They replaced it with Tremors: The Series. A crappy, low budget pos. It's gone now too, but that shows what they're about. HBO seems to be more concerned about putting on good shows than most of the rest. The shows are good because they aren't copies of everything already on TV. The main networks will shovel out shitty shows without hesitation. How many years have we seen the same shitty 30 minute sitcom show? Idiots standing in front of an audience (maybe) telling stupid jokes at the presribed XJokes/minute formula. How many fucking doctor shows do we really need that are nothing more than the same show that was on 10 years ago? It would be nice if TV had nothing to do with profit.

06-23-2007, 02:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
WarderX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,593 +1 Internets	They're able to afford to pay the best writers, get the best crew, etc... Production value is just really high. Aside from that, the big picture is that all these shows probably started out not even knowing if they would be on TV, let alone HBO. HBO is part of time warner, a company that owns a lot of what you see on tv (but not as much as viacom) and if they find a great show, if it's truly special, it probably gets defaulted to HBO over all the other crappy channels first.

06-23-2007, 04:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kolle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,879 -25 Internets	the only live TV i watch is sports because of commercials. i can't recall a time where i sat and watched a show as it first aired.

06-23-2007, 04:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mario Speedwagon Banned Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: 3rd Place Posts: 1,016 +0 Internets	The worst thing is that a lot of shows have their commercial blocks bought by the same company so you can end up seeing the same commercial 3+ times during one show. God that shit is annoying.

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