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HBO (New Zealand)

This article is about the New Zealand TV channel. For the defunct Australian channel, see SoHo (Australian TV channel). For other uses, see Soho (disambiguation).

HBO
Logo used since 2024
CountryNew Zealand
Broadcast areaNew Zealand
HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i (HDTV) 16:9
Ownership
OwnerSky Network Television
History
Launched31 October 2011; 13 years ago (2011-10-31) (SoHo)
7 November 2018; 6 years ago (2018-11-07) (SoHo2)
Closed16 March 2021; 3 years ago (2021-03-16) (SoHo2)
Former namesSoHo (2011–2024)
Links
Websitehttps://www.sky.co.nz/discover/sky-entertainment/hbo
Availability
Streaming media
Sky Goskygo.co.nz

HBO is a premium entertainment channel in New Zealand available on Sky New Zealand. The channel broadcasts HBO Original programming. It was previously called SoHo until late October 2024.

History

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SoHo logo used from 2011-2024

The channel launched on 31 October 2011, as SoHo screening shows from American cable networks Showtime, AMC, Starz, HBO and FX, which were themselves not available in New Zealand. It also broadcast shows from Britain, especially from the BBC, and also broadcast films.[1]

In October 2024, Sky confirmed that the channel would be rebranded as HBO featuring exclusively HBO content, effective 30 October 2024.[2][3]

Services

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There was also a SoHo channel in Australia, which launched on 20 August 2012.[4] It closed down on 4 October 2016, and was replaced by Binge.[5][6]

A sister channel, SoHo2 launched on 7 November 2018.[7]

SoHo2 was closed on 16 March 2021 and all the content was moved to the SoHo channel.[8]

On 22 October 2024, Sky New Zealand announced that SoHo would be revamped as a linear HBO channel showing HBO Original content, effective 30 October. The HBO channel is available on Sky Box, Sky Pod and Sky Go. This change accompanied a new partnership between Sky and Warner Bros. Discovery that would allow the former to remain the exclusive distributor of HBO and Max content in New Zealand.[2][3]

Content

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In 2022, SoHo distributed the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon alongside Sky's streaming service Neon.[9]

Effective 30 October 2024, the revamped HBO channel features HBO 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 and Vibe.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ "Sky to launch new premium content channel - SoHo". Throng.
  2. ^ a b c "Sky New Zealand and Warner Bros. Discovery announce new partnership". StopPress. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Keall, Chris (22 October 2024). "Sky TV heads off local launch of HBO's direct-to-consumer Max app with new Warner Bros. Discovery deal". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  4. ^ David Knox (20 July 2012). "SoHo to launch with The Newsroom on Foxtel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  5. ^ Knox, David (1 August 2016). "Foxtel closing SoHo, adds new Binge channel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  6. ^ Knox, David (15 September 2016). "Binge channel launching October 5". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Sky to Launch SoHo2 in November". screenscribe.net.
  8. ^ "Channel Changes FAQs - Sky". Sky. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Games of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon drops first trailer". The New Zealand Herald. 6 October 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
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