Who Owns HBO?
HBO is owned by Warner Bros Discovery, a publicly traded American mass media and entertainment conglomerate. HBO operates as the company's premium television network division. Warner Bros Discovery trades on NASDAQ under WBD and is headquartered in New York City, USA.
Parent Company
Warner Bros. Discovery
Founded
1972
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns HBO?
- Parent Company: Warner Bros. Discovery
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: WBD
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| HBO | Warner Bros. Discovery | Subsidiary |
History of HBO
- Founded: 1972
- Founders: Charles Dolan
HBO (Home Box Office) was founded on November 8, 1972, by Charles Dolan. The network launched as the first premium cable television service in the United States, initially distributing via microwave transmission to systems in Pennsylvania and New York.
In 1973, Time Inc. acquired a controlling interest in HBO, providing the financial resources for national expansion. The network began using satellite distribution in 1975, enabling nationwide availability and establishing the model for premium cable television services.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, HBO established itself as the leader in premium cable programming, pioneering original series production with shows like "The Sopranos," "The Wire," and "Sex and the City." The network also became known for boxing events, comedy specials, and exclusive movie premieres.
HBO continued to innovate in the 2000s and 2010s with critically acclaimed series including "Game of Thrones," "Westworld," and "Succession." In 2020, HBO Max was launched as the network's streaming service, extending HBO's content to digital platforms. The 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery created Warner Bros Discovery, HBO's current parent company.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a publicly traded American media and entertainment conglomerate formed in April 2022 through the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. In June 2025, the company announced a plan to split into two separate publicly traded companies: Warner Bros. (streaming, studios, HBO/Max) and Discovery Global (linear TV networks). The split is expected to complete in mid-2026 and is structured to be tax-free.
- Founded: 2022
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: WBD
Where Is HBO Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Global (cable and streaming distribution)
Brands Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
- Adult Swim - American programming block and streaming service on Cartoon Network featuring ad...
- Animal Planet - American cable television network focused on wildlife, animal behavior, nature d...
- Boomerang - American cable television network and streaming service focused on classic and c...
- Cartoon Network - American children's television network known for animated series and original pr...
- CNN - American multinational news-based television channel and flagship property of Wa...
- DC Comics - American comic book publisher and entertainment company known for superhero char...
- Discovery Channel - American cable television network known for documentary, reality, and educationa...
- Eurosport - European sports television network and streaming service providing coverage of m...
- Food Network - American cable television network focused on cooking shows, culinary competition...
- HBO Max - American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HB...
- HGTV - American cable television network focused on home improvement, interior design, ...
- Magnolia Network - American cable television network and streaming service focused on home design, ...
- Max - American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HB...
- TCM - American cable television network dedicated to classic films, cinema history, an...
- TLC - American cable television network focused on lifestyle, reality, and entertainme...
- Travel Channel - American cable television network focused on travel, tourism, adventure, and des...
- Warner Bros. - American film and television production and distribution company known for movie...
HBO Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Premium brand recognition and reputation for quality programming
- +Access to Warner Bros Discovery's extensive production resources and content library
- +Strong track record of critically acclaimed original series and documentaries
- +Established distribution through cable providers and streaming platforms
- +Premium subscription model with higher revenue per subscriber
Considerations
- -Intense competition from streaming services and other premium networks
- -High production costs for original programming
- -Declining traditional cable subscriptions affecting distribution
- -Pressure to maintain quality standards while expanding content volume
- -Balance between theatrical releases and streaming exclusivity
Frequently Asked Questions About HBO
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