 Logo used since 2024 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV)16:9 |
| Ownership | |
| Parent | Home Box Office, Inc. (managed bySky Network Television) |
| History | |
| Launched | 31 October 2011; 14 years ago (2011-10-31) (SoHo) 7 November 2018; 7 years ago (2018-11-07) (SoHo2) |
| Closed | 16 March 2021; 4 years ago (2021-03-16) (SoHo2) |
| Former names | SoHo (2011–2024) |
| Links | |
| Website | https://www.sky.co.nz/discover/sky-entertainment/hbo |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Sky Go | skygo.co.nz |
HBO is apremium entertainment channel in New Zealand available onSky New Zealand. The channel broadcastsHBO Original programming. It was previously calledSoHo until late October 2024.
The channel launched on 31 October 2011, asSoHo screening shows from American cable networksShowtime,AMC,Starz,HBO andFX, which were themselves not available in New Zealand. It also broadcast shows from Britain, especially from theBBC, and also broadcast films.[1] The channel was initially built upon its contract with HBO, but has since broadened its content to include series from other sources.[2]
In October 2024, Sky confirmed that the channel would be rebranded asHBO featuring exclusively HBO content, effective 30 October 2024.[3][4]
There was also aSoHo channel in Australia, which launched on 20 August 2012.[5] It closed down on 4 October 2016, and was replaced byBinge.[6][7]
A sister channel, SoHo2 launched on 7 November 2018.[8]
SoHo2 was closed on 16 March 2021 and all the content was moved to the SoHo channel.[9]
On 22 October 2024, Sky New Zealand announced that SoHo would be revamped as a linearHBO channel showingHBO Original content, effective 30 October. The HBO channel is available on Sky Box, Sky Pod andSky Go. This change accompanied a new partnership between Sky andWarner Bros. Discovery that would allow the former to remain the exclusive distributor of HBO andMax content in New Zealand.[3][4]
In 2022, SoHo distributed theGame of Thrones prequel seriesHouse of the Dragon alongside Sky's streaming serviceNeon.[10]
Effective 30 October 2024, the revamped HBO channel featuresHBO Original content exclusively. Other non-HBO and WBD shows that previously aired on SoHo will be aired instead on Sky's other entertainment channels,Sky 5 andVibe.[3][4]
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