BREAKING NEWS – Astral Media announced today the launch of HBO Canada, a Canadian version of the successful specialty American network that will deliver all the award-winning, boundary-pushing shows and specials we’ve been dying to get for years.
The new station launches Oct. 30, so get your PVRs ready. All those who already subscribe to The Movie Network or Movie Central will get the channel at no additional charge.
“For years, HBO’s dramatic programming has been available on The Movie Network and Movie Central. But even with all of the HBO titles we offered, Canadians still wanted more,” said John Riley, president of Astral Television Networks.
“In launching HBO Canada we will be in a position to offer Canadians this additional content, together with the current signature series that HBO produces, to create an entertainment and value proposition that promises to set a new standard for premium television viewing in Canada.”
So all those shows that TMN and MC used to air post-HBO will now be available in their first runs. Fans of True Blood, Entourage, Big Love, Flight of the Conchords and In Treatment will now get them when the U.S. does.
Also part of the package are the HBO original movies, comedy specials, live concerts, sporting events and documentaries that previously weren’t available in Canada, including Real Time with Bill Maher, Def Comedy Jam and Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger, along with older, now-completed shows such as OZ and Da Ali G Show.
But HBO Canada won’t totally be Americanized and will continue to offer Canadian films and series, including The Movie Network and Movie Central’s award-winning original series such as Durham County and Terminal City.
Who can’t wait for the day before Halloween? denette@tvguide.ca
