HBO Asia

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Last edited May 8, 2026


Template:Use British English Template:Infobox television channel

HBO Asia is the Asian division of HBO, headquartered in Singapore. Originally launched on 1 May 1992 as MovieVision, it was rebranded on 1 June 1995 to its current name upon Home Box Office, Inc. purchase. The Singaporean-based broadcast network offers advertisement-free channels and services – including HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits and Cinemax – as well as HBO Go and HBO on Demand. They also became the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst in Asia.[1]

History

HBO was the first American television network to set up its bases in Singapore in 1992, with its Template:Convert production facility based at New Tech Park in Lorong Chuan.[2]

HBO signed an agreement with Singapore Telecom in June 1992 in order to deliver its output to Singapore CableVision's MovieVision channel, as well as other broadcasters in the region.[3]

HBO Asia began 24-hour broadcasts on 1 March 1994 to cater to travellers visiting hotels. It also increased the number of programmes to 70 a month.[4]

HBO Asia was originally a joint venture between Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Universal Pictures. On 16 January 2008, Sony and NBC sold their stakes to WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery).[5]

On 5 June 2015, HBO Asia became the exclusive distributor of Channel M in Asia. On 1 December 2016, the channel also became the exclusive distributor of tvN Movies in Asia, launched on 11 January 2017.

Programming

HBO Asia has licensing deals with the "Big Five" of Hollywood conglomerate film studios:


New seasons of HBO's Original Series or Original Productions air on Sunday nights/Monday mornings.

Original programming

HBO also aired their Original Series or Original Films from Asian creators, which aired on Sunday nights. Some other Asian original titles may also be simultaneously released on other platforms, like Catchplay, which has co-produced some of HBO's Asian titles.

TV series

Drama
Title Genre Premiere Seasons Language(s) Status
Grace[6] Horror drama Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Miniseries
Halfworlds Dark fantasy thriller Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Ended
Folklore Horror anthology Template:Dts Template:Sort various languages Ended
Grisse[7] Epic Western Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Ended
Food Lore[8] Slice of life anthology Template:Dts Template:Sort Various languages Ended
Invisible Stories[9] Psychological drama/Anthology Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Ended
Dream Raider[10] Science fiction mystery drama Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Ended
Miss STemplate:Efn Period action drama Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Miniseries
On the Job Action thriller Template:Dts Template:Sort Filipino Miniseries
Who's by Your Side[11] Family thriller Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Ended
LegacyTemplate:Efn[12] Period family drama Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Miniseries
Scent of TimeTemplate:Efn[13] Period romantic fantasy Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Miniseries
Song of the Samurai[14] Period action Template:Dts Template:Sort Japanese Pending
Comedy
Title Genre Premiere Seasons Language(s) Status
Sent[15] Comedy drama Template:Dts Template:Sort English Ended
Adventure of the Ring[16] Romantic comedy-drama Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Miniseries
The Accidental Influencer[17] Workplace romantic comedy Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Pending
Unscripted
Title Genre Premiere Seasons Language(s) Status
Traffickers: Inside the Golden Triangle[18] True crime docuseries Template:Dts Template:Sort English Ended
Drag Race Philippines Reality competition Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Pending
MarkKim + Chef[19] Cooking show Template:Dts Template:Sort Thai Miniseries
Deane's Dynasty[19] Reality show Template:Dts Template:Sort Thai Pending
The Bachelor Indonesia[20] Dating show Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Pending
Co-productions

These shows have been commissioned by HBO Asia with a partner network.

Title Genre Partner/Country Premiere Seasons Language Status
Serangoon Road Period drama ABC/Australia Template:Dts Template:Sort English Ended
The Teenage Psychic Supernatural coming-of-age drama PTS/Taiwan Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Ended
The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors True crime docuseries Star World/India Template:Dts Template:Sort English Miniseries
Miss Sherlock Crime drama Hulu Japan/Japan Template:Dts Template:Sort Japanese Ended
The Bridge Crime drama Viu/Malaysia Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Ended
The World Between Us Psychological drama PTS and Catchplay/Taiwan Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Season 2 moved to Amazon Prime Video[21]
Workers[22] Dark comedy-drama myVideo/Taiwan Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Miniseries
The Head Mystery thriller Template:Ubl Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl Pending
Trinity of Shadows[23] Crime drama Template:Ubl Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Ended
Twisted Strings[24] Comedy thriller/Anthology Template:Ubl Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin Miniseries

Films

Title Genre Release date Runtime Language(s)
Dead Mine Action horror Template:Dts Template:Sort English
Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So Action drama Template:Dts Template:Sort Mandarin
Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying Template:Dts Template:Sort
Master of the White Crane Fist: Wong Yam-Lam Template:Dts Template:Sort
Master of the Nine Dragon Fist: Wong Ching-Ho Template:Dts Template:Sort
The Garden of Evening Mists Romantic period drama Template:Dts Template:Sort English
Gensan Punch Sports biographical film Template:Dts Template:Sort Template:Ubl

Censorship

HBO Asia was heavily censored in some Asian countries, with many series such as Sex and the City[25] and Game of Thrones[26] aired in edited versions; with certain programmes are not shown in some territories.

Typically, movies showcasing gestures like the middle finger, nudity, intense intimacy, and profanity are edited out. Scenes revealing attire or exposed skin near private areas are commonly censored, especially in predominantly Muslim regions of Southeast Asia (excluding Vietnam). Additionally, depictions of alcohol or pork are often blurred, as they are considered haram in Islam.

The HBO-made series Entourage was taken off-air for three weeks by one cable operator in the Philippines, pending clearance by the MTRCB.Template:Citation needed The entire series continued to air without disruption on all other Philippine cable operators.

Vietnam receives HBO Asia programming delayed by an hour; any program broadcast on HBO Asia undergo censorship overseen by state broadcaster Vietnam Television. Any film that is judged to contradict or misrepresent the Vietnam War (such as depicting the US as heroes, which contradicts the state's official stance) or critical of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam, or to contain explicit sexual or gruesome content deemed inconsistent with Vietnamese societal norms, will not be aired. Instead, it will be replaced with another feature.[27] Additionally, scenes depicting nudity, violence, or mild profanity are typically toned down.[28]

In China, due to Western product restrictions and the China-United States trade war, HBO was blocked and restricted, and the replacements are currently Tencent Video and iQIYI.[29][30]

Channels

Network Description Template:RefhTemplate:Efn
HBO Hollywood films and HBO original series [archive 1]
HBO Hits Hits and blockbuster films [archive 2]
HBO Family Family oriented films and series [archive 3]
HBO Signature Critically acclaimed and original productions [archive 4]
Cinemax Action and suspense movies [archive 5]
tvN Movies Home of Korean Blockbusters

The live channels remain available on selected pay TV providers, as HBO GO no longer provides the live channels in-app and online starting 25 May 2023.[31]

Source
  1. ↑ [{{{url}}} HBO Asia strikes agreement to represent BabyFirst, WarnerTV across Asia](1 December 2009).
  2. ↑ Three US TV networks eyeing S'pore satellite-link licence. The Straits Times(2 December 1994). Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  3. ↑ US pay-TV operator seals deal with Telecom. The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)(18 June 1992). Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  4. ↑ Can't sleep at 3 am? Call the radio deeiay. The Straits Times(14 May 1994). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Sony, NBC exit HBO Asia alliance. The Hollywood Reporter(2008-01-17). Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  6. ↑ TV review: HBO Asia's locally produced horror series Grace is predictable, unconvincing. The Straits Times(23 October 2014). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  7. ↑ HBO Asia's Original Period Drama Series GRISSE Premieres Today. Medium(7 March 2019). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  8. ↑ Stream It Or Skip It: 'Food Lore' on HBO, an Asian Anthology Series Winding Food Into the Fabric of Drama. Decider(2 March 2020). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  9. ↑ HBO Asia's original anthology drama series INVISIBLE STORIES to premiere in the U.S. on August 3. WarnerMedia(30 July 2020). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  10. ↑ HBO Asia Makes Sci-Fi Debut With 'Dream Raider'. Variety(27 July 2020). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  11. ↑ Taiwan Drama Series 'Who's by Your Side' Set as HBO Asia Original. Variety(23 August 2020). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  12. ↑ WarnerMedia Readies Chinese-Language Original Series 'Legacy' and 'Trinity of Shadows'. Variety(20 April 2021). Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  13. ↑ 周也新戏《为有暗香来》 10月13日于HBO GO独家首播. Oriental Daily News (Malaysia)(12 October 2023). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  14. ↑ HBO Max Acquires Japanese Period Action Drama ‘Song of the Samurai’ From Studio the Seven, Sets May Premiere. Variety(25 February 2026).
  15. ↑ HBO Asia's First Comedy Series 'Sent' Set To Make Its Debut. Deadline Hollywood(6 August 2017). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  16. ↑ HBO Asia Falls For Taiwan Romance Series 'Adventure of the Ring'. Variety(11 November 2020). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  17. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  18. ↑ 'Traffickers: Inside the Golden Triangle' to Premiere on HBO GO. Variety(6 July 2021). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Warner Bros Discovery Launches Trio Of Thai HBO Originals; 'Khun Pan 3' & Two Unscripted Shows, Shackleton, Liz. Deadline Hollywood(10 June 2023). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  20. ↑ Indonesian adaptation of 'The Bachelor' to premiere next month, Abanes, Mariel. NME(17 January 2023). Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  21. ↑ Taiwanese Drama 'The World Between Us: After the Flames' Sets Premiere Date On Prime Video, Merican, Sara. Deadline Hollywood(April 30, 2025). Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  22. ↑ HBO Asia to Produce Taiwanese Original Series 'Workers'. The Hollywood Reporter(14 April 2020). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  23. ↑ Murder, corruption and a nagging cold case in HBO's Trinity of Shadows, Taiwan-set police drama with a realistic tone. South China Morning Post(27 June 2021). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  24. ↑ New HBO Asia Original series 'Twisted Strings' preems tonight. The Manila Times(27 March 2022). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  25. ↑ Singapore lifts Sex and City ban. BBC News(16 July 2004). Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  26. ↑ Winter is Coming: Game of Thrones on HBO Asia(28 August 2011). Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  27. ↑ HBO Film on Vietnamese Cuisine Pulled From Schedule Over Racy Sex Scenes. Saigoneer(12 November 2019).
  28. ↑ How exactly do you sanitise Game of Thrones? Find out in Vietnam. ABC News(3 July 2015).
  29. ↑ HBO's Website Remains Blocked in China, but Its Shows Aren't, Chow, Vivienne. Variety(2018-06-27). Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  30. ↑ China blocks HBO after John Oliver parody of Xi Jinping. the Guardian(2018-06-25). Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  31. ↑ Template:Cite tweet

HBO South Asia

Template:Infobox television channel

HBO formerly provided a separate feed with commercial breaks for audiences in South Asia, namely India, Bangladesh and the Maldives. All movie promos in this beam were according to IST. A time-shifted feed for Pakistan was launched in the mid-2000s in partnership with ARY Digital Network.[1] The schedule was the same as the Indian feed, with the difference being the commercial breaks and timings in PST.

Before the launch of HBO South Asia, HBO tried replicating the premium model in India. However, HBO then decided it was not commercially viable, so the South Asia channel was launched in India and also in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Maldives.[2]

HBO Asia and Eros International launched HBO Defined and HBO Hits across India on 21 February 2013 on Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV. These channels were commercial-free. The content of both channels included movies as well as most of HBO Original Programming. When the channels launched, the main HBO channel stopped airing original series.[3]

In 2015, HBO decided to exit the Indian market and license the channel to Turner International India.[4] The channel was revamped in February 2016 after a survey conducted by the channel team to better suit the masses.[5][6] HBO Defined and HBO Hits would be handled by Star India; however, HBO Defined and HBO Hits SD were shut down on 31 December 2015, while HBO Hits HD was replaced by HBO HD on 4 September 2016.[7] It only airs Hollywood movies, as Star India has the rights to HBO Original Programming, which is available on Star World and Disney+ Hotstar.[8]

WarnerMedia International announced on 15 October 2020 that HBO South Asia and WB Channel would close down on 15 December 2020. The HBO channel would no longer be available in India and Pakistan, while WB Channel ceased to exist in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives.[9]

HBO India had closed down at midnight with the last movie on the SD channel being Mad Max: Fury Road (completed 1 hour before the shutdown) and the last movie on the HD channel being Memoirs of a Geisha. HBO Pakistan was also closed down at midnight.[10]

See also

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

  1. ↑ ARY Digital Network celebrates 17 years of remarkable journey. ARY News(15 September 2017). Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  2. ↑ HBO Asia May Expand Ad-Supported Approach, OSBORNE, MAGZ. Multichannel(21 August 2000). Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  3. ↑ HBO Defined and HBO Hits go on-air. Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  4. ↑ Is HBO giving up on its India market?. Business Standard India(2014-12-19). Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  5. ↑ HBO India gets branding, packaging revamp. afaqs!(12 February 2016). Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  6. ↑ HBO moves from niche to mass. Business Standard India(2016-02-24). Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  7. ↑ #Experience The Magic with HBO HD!. Turner(2016-09-06). Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  8. ↑ Fox's Star India Strikes Exclusive Deal for HBO Originals. The Hollywood Reporter(2 December 2015). Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  9. ↑ WarnerMedia to cease HBO and WB TV channels in South Asia by 2020 end; to invest more on kids channels, Team, AnimationXpress. AnimationXpress(2020-10-15). Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  10. ↑ Template:Cite AV media

Template:Portal bar Template:Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific

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