Besides the phenomenal “Game of Thrones,” HBO’s roster of notable shows across genres have captivated Filipino viewers proving that HBO has become part of their entertainment fix through the years.
In the Philippines, HBO was made more accessible to Filipinos through cable by SKY. Because of SKY and HBO’s shared vision to make home entertainment memorable for Filipinos, SKY continues to make HBO shows accessible anytime, anywhere through streaming via HBO GO using any One SKY plans (all-in-one cable, internet, and video-on-demand bundles).
“Solid HBO fans in the Philippines are able to enjoy HBO’s world-class content because of SKY’s partnership with HBO and we look forward to bring more great HBO shows closer to Filipinos through television and online in the future,” SKY president and COO March Ventosa said.
Yasmin Zahid, head, sales and affiliate marketing, said, “With our online streaming service, HBO GO, we are proud to be able to make our ever-expanding library of HBO Original content and selected Hollywood movies accessible to our audiences in the Philippines, anytime, anywhere across multiple devices via the internet.”
As HBO celebrates 25 years of creating exceptional stories, here’s a look at some of HBO’s iconic series and new movies that you can stream via HBO GO using SKY’s fast, fiber-powered broadband for an ultimate binge-viewing.
1. THE SOPRANOS
The American crime drama series centers on Italian-American Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a mob boss based in New Jersey who faces problems in his personal and professional life. After experiencing panic attacks, Tony seeks psychiatric counseling to cope with concerns like the potential exposure of his criminal organization and his relationships with his family and mafia colleagues.
Winner of five Golden Globes, “The Sopranos” became a big hit worldwide and ran for six seasons. It was also nominated in several prestigious award-giving bodies including The Emmy’s and The Golden Globes and won the coveted George Foster Peabody award in 1999 and 2000.
2. SEX AND THE CITY
Carrie Bradshaw became a household name in the 90s because of “Sex and The City,” the HBO adaptation of the 1997 book of the same title that revolves around Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her friends Samantha Jones (Kim Catrall), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) who are in their thirties and forties. Set in New York City, the four friends gossip and confide in each other about their sex lives despite their different personalities, making their bond inseparable and one of a kind.
For six seasons, “Sex and the City” earned eight Golden Globes from over 24 nominations. The romantic comedy also received over 50 Emmy nominations and was also named Outstanding Comedy Series in the Emmy Awards and was included in TIME’s 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time.
3. THE WIRE
When it came to compelling stories with an engrossing plot, HBO’s 2002 crime drama “The Wire” was one of the celebrated series during its time on television. With a touch of realism, “The Wire” introduces viewers to various institutions in Baltimore like the illegal drug trade and the print news media and shows the relationship of people in these organizations to law enforcement.
Like other HBO series, “The Wire” was also an award-winning program. Some of its recognitions include the Peabody Award Winner, TIME’s critics choice for top television show (season 1 and 3), TCA Heritage Award (season 5), and the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Dramatic Series (season 4), among others.
4. TRUE DETECTIVE
HBO also produced a critically acclaimed anthology crime drama in the form of “True Detective”. Winner of five Emmys, “True Detective” focuses on how police investigations uncover dark and dirty secrets of people involved within and even outside the bounds of the law. What also makes the top-rating show special is how each season engages a new cast. Season one was top billed by Matthew McConaughey, while season two starred Colin Farrell.
5. SIX FEET UNDER
Another HBO original that received widespread raving reviews is the 2001 family drama, “Six Feet Under.” Putting the spotlight on a dysfunctional family who owns a small funeral home in California, “Six Feet Under” takes viewers on a trip down memory lane as it looks at the lives of the characters over the course of five years.
Besides being a smash hit, “Six Feet Under” enjoyed a back-to-back win in the SAG Awards when it nabbed the Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2002 and 2003. It was also hailed as Best Drama Series in the 2001 Golden Globes.
6. TRUE BLOOD
When Vampires became a pop culture icon in 2008, HBO was quick to produce “True Blood,” a dark fantasy horror series based on “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” books.
The series centers on Sookie (Anna Paquin), a waitress with telepathic powers who falls in love with Bill (Stephen Moyer), a 173-year-old vampire. “True Blood” also showed how vampires struggled to fight for equality, which was interpreted as a symbolism for LGBT rights movement. “True Blood” received positive reviews and was honored in by award-giving bodies including the Emmy’s where it won an Outstanding Casting for Drama in 2009.
7. FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Fans of the “Harry Potter” franchise will find themselves engrossed in this 2016 fantasy film as they will be introduced to a world filled with magical creatures. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” stars Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, a “magizoologist” and his adventures in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” premieres on HBO and HBO GO December 16, 9PM.
8. PASSENGERS
This science fiction movie is one of the biggest blockbusters of 2016 because of its larger-than-life story. “Passengers” is about two people awakened 90 years early from an induced hibernation while they are in a spacecraft that is supposed to transport them to a colony planet. The film also nabbed a nomination for Best Original Score and Best Production Design at the 89th Academy Awards and stars Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt.
“Passengers” is set to premiere on HBO and HBO GO on December 23, 9PM.
For more information about One SKY plans and HBO GO, visit mysky.com.ph/onesky and mysky.com.ph/hbogo.
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