History YMMV / HBO

* Too Bleak, Stopped Caring: This a common complaint levelled against several of their darker drama series sometime into their lifespan.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings,[[note]]Though, in fairness, the writing had been on the wall for some time; the launch of HBO Now shafted boxing fans since the service didn't provide access to ''any'' boxing, an issue that Creator/{{Showtime}} addressed upon launching their own streaming option by offering the main live feed alongside on-demand content, and HBO was questioned for booking decisions regarding matches they aired, most of which were low-profile and lacking in any drawing power by the early 2010's. Longtime client Top Rank jumping ship to Creator/{{ESPN}} and the US launch of pay-per-view alternative streamer DAZN, who then brought over Canelo Álvarez and his promoter Golden Boy once their HBO contract ended, effectively sealed the deal.[[/note]] and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of first-run movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to end their deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoTGgt0CPRk This one used from 1998 to 2011]] is also nothing to sneeze at, taking the "Space" opening, re-doing it in gorgeous CGI, and ramping the epicness of the original UpToEleven.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings,[[note]]Though, in fairness, the writing had been on the wall for some time; the launch of HBO Now shafted boxing fans since the service didn't provide access to ''any'' boxing, an issue that Creator/{{Showtime}} addressed upon launching their own streaming option by offering the main live feed alongside on-demand content, and HBO was questioned for booking decisions regarding matches they aired, most of which were low-profile and lacking in any drawing power by the early 2010's. Longtime client Top Rank jumping ship to ESPN and the US launch of pay-per-view alternative streamer DAZN, who then brought over Canelo Álvarez and his promoter Golden Boy once their HBO contract ended, effectively sealed the deal.[[/note]] and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of first-run movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to end their deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

** Perhaps in response to the lukewarm reception to their far simpler current openings, the network later created [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tisafoW1bgo this]], another stunning remake of the "Space" opening which seamlessly blends live-action and CGI.
* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Many ''Series/SesameStreet'' enthusiasts are not happy with the changes made to the show since first-run episodes came under the HBO umbrella. Neither is Creator/FrankOz, who originated the roles of Grover, Bert, and Cookie Monster among others, who has gone on record as saying he's unhappy that the show is now unabashedly aimed toward the very young. Some viewers feel the current incarnation of ''Sesame'' has been whitewashed of some of the elements that made the original show special and dumbed down into just another standard kids' show thanks to ExecutiveMeddling.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Many ''Series/SesameStreet'' enthusiasts are not happy with the changes made to the show since first-run episodes came under the HBO umbrella. Neither is Creator/FrankOz, who originated the roles of Grover, Bert, and Cookie Monster among others, who has gone on record as saying he's unhappy that the show is now unabashedly aimed toward the very young. Some viewers feel the current incarnation of ''Sesame'' has been whitewashed of everything that made the original show special and dumbed down into just another kids' show thanks to ExecutiveMeddling.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Many ''Series/SesameStreet'' enthusiasts are not happy with the changes made to the show since first-run episodes came under the HBO umbrella. Neither is Creator/FrankOz, who originated the roles of Grover, Bert, and Cookie Monster among others, who has gone on record as saying he's unhappy that the show is now unabashedly aimed toward the very young. Some viewers feel the current incarnation of ''Sesame'' has been whitewashed of everything that made the original show special and dumbed down into just another kids' show thanks to CorporateMeddling.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Many ''Series/SesameStreet'' enthusiasts are not happy with the changes made to the show since first-run episodes came under the HBO umbrella. Neither is Creator/FrankOz, who originated the roles of Grover, Bert, and Cookie Monster among others, who has gone on record as saying he's unhappy that the show is now unabashedly aimed toward the very young and lacks the hip, free-form spirit of years past.

** Perhaps in response to the lukewarm reception to their far simpler current openings, the network later created [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tisafoW1bgo this]], another stunning remake of the "Space" opening which seamlessly blends live-action and CGI.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings,[[note]]Though, in fairness, the writing had been on the wall for some time; the launch of HBO Now shafted boxing fans since the service didn't provide access to ''any'' boxing, an issue that Creator/{{Showtime}} addressed upon launching their own streaming option by offering the main live feed alongside on-demand content, and HBO was questioned for booking decisions regarding which matches to air, most of which were low-profile and lacking in any drawing power. Longtime promotion partner Top Rank jumping ship to ESPN and the US launch of pay-per-view alternative streamer DAZN, who then brought over Canelo Álvarez and his promoter Golden Boy once their HBO contract ended, effectively sealed the deal.[[/note]] and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of first-run movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to end their deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings,[[note]]Though, in fairness, the writing had been on the wall for some time; the launch of HBO Now shafted boxing fans since the service didn't provide access to ''any'' boxing, an issue that Creator/{{Showtime}} addressed upon launching their own streaming option by offering the main live feed alongside on-demand content, and HBO was questioned for booking decisions regarding which matches to air, most of which were low-profile and lacking in any drawing power. Longtime promotion partner Top Rank jumping ship to ESPN and the US launch of pay-per-view alternative streamer DAZN effectively sealed the deal.[[/note]] and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of first-run movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to end their deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings,[[note]]Though, in fairness, the writing had been on the wall for some time; the launch of HBO Now shafted boxing fans since the service didn't provide access to ''any'' boxing, an issue that Creator/{{Showtime}} addressed upon launching their own streaming option by offering the main live feed alongside on-demand content. Longtime promotion partner Top Rank jumping ship to ESPN and the US launch of pay-per-view alternative streamer DAZN effectively sealed the deal.[[/note]] and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of first-run movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to end their deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings,[[note]]Though, in fairness, the writing had been on the wall for some time; the launch of HBO Now shafted boxing fans since the service didn't provide access to ''any'' boxing, an issue that Creator/{{Showtime}} addressed upon launching their own streaming option by offering the main live feed alongside on-demand contnet. Longtime promoter Top Rank jumping ship to ESPN and the US launch of pay-per-view alternative streamer DAZN effectively sealed the deal.[[/note]] and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of first-run movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to end their deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings, and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of first-run movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to end their deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

* DorkAge: Many feel they've fallen into one since 2018. With cord-cutting rapidly accelerating, the network relying more on originals to attract new customers, and the tumultuous aftermath of AT&T's takeover of Time Warner, signs have emerged that the channel is facing NetworkDecay. Longtime viewers were critical of the network dropping boxing, for many years a staple of the channel, due to declining ratings, and their mega-hit ''Series/GameOfThrones'' ended in a [[BrokenBase highly-polarizing]] sour note. Making matters worse, their two biggest providers of movies, Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios and Creator/{{Universal}}, are set to let their output deals with HBO when they expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of their parent companies launching [[Creator/DisneyPlus streaming]] [[Creator/{{Hulu}} platforms]] [[Creator/{{Peacock}} for their content]], leaving sister studio Creator/WarnerBros as their only major content provider. Fortunately, the newly re-christened Creator/WarnerMedia has made efforts to keep things from going further downhill, deliberately branding Creator/HBOMax under the name to help adjust the channel to the streaming age.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic / EarWorm: The classic Starship intro, natch- composed by Ferdinand J. Smith and performed by a 65-piece orchestra. Not only that, they also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3PjdRkzu1k made a nearly 4-minute long remix!]] And in turn, there's a version of said remix ''with lyrics''. [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer That's right]], lyrics to a premium cable network's movie intro!

* EditedForSyndication: Due to HBO's status as a premium cable network, it can air its programming uncut, resulting in more mature content than broadcast television or basic cable shows. Whenever ''{{Series/Entourage}}'' and ''Series/CurbYourEnthusiasm'' made their syndicated debuts on broadcast TV, some cuts were made.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: HBO was insanely popular amongst movie tape traders in the 1980s and 1990s, as far as fans taping movies off the network.
** HBO's shows are also insanely popular on [=BitTorrent=] sites, due to the vast number of non-subscriber fans of its original shows who want to follow them without having to wait a year or so for the DVD sets (which are often ''twice'' the price of normal network DVD sets).

* CrackIsCheaper: HBO is well known for their pricey box sets, commonly reaching double that of other shows.

** Neither is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tSyu6ODVsA this 80s effort]] which also has impressive CGI (courtesy of Creator/PacificDataImages) and gorgeous neon colors.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic / EarWorm: The classic Starship intro, natch- composed by Ferdinand J. Smith and performed by a 65-piece orchestra. Not only that, they also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3PjdRkzu1k made a nearly 4-minute long remix!]]

** Neither is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tSyu6ODVsA this 80s effort]] which also has impressive CGI and gorgeous neon colors.

** Most famously is the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1NKoMNy5bY HBO in Space]]" opening. While watching it, remember that ''no [=CGI=] was used in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agS6ZXBrcng the making of this]] at all.''

* AwesomeMusic / EarWorm: The classic Starship intro, natch- composed by Ferdinand J. Smith and performed by a 65-piece orchestra. Not only that, they also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3PjdRkzu1k made a nearly 4-minute long remix!]]

* VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Their feature presentation bumpers, full stop.

* EditedForSyndication: Due to HBO's status as a premium cable network, it can air its programming uncut, resulting in more mature content than broadcast television or basic cable shows. Whenever {{Series/Entourage}} and Series/CurbYourEnthusiasm made their syndicated debuts on broadcast TV, some cuts were made.

** HBO's shows are also insanely popular on [=BitTorrent=] sites, due to the vast number of non-subscriber fans of its original shows who want to follow them without having to wait a year or so for the DVD sets (which are often ''twice'' the price of normal network DVD sets).

* EditedForSyndication: Due to HBO's status as a premium cable network, it can air its programming uncut, resulting in more mature content than broadcast television or basic cable shows. Whenever {{Series/Entourage}} and Series/CurbYourEnthusiasm made their syndicated debuts on broadcast TV, some cuts were made.