Cinemax facts for kids
Current logo, which is a revision of 2011 logo, used since 2016.
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| Type | Pay television network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | 30 Hudson Yards, New York City |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the network's SDTV channel feeds) |
| Timeshift service | |
| Ownership | |
| Parent | Home Box Office, Inc. |
| Key people |
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| Sister channels |
List
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| History | |
| Launched | 1 August 1980 |
| Former names | Max (2008–2011) |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Max |
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| Apple TV Channels | Over-the-top TV
Available feeds
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| Amazon Video Channels | Over-the-top TV
Available feeds
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| The Roku Channel | Over-the-top TV
Available feeds
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Cinemax is an American TV network that you can get through a paid subscription, like with a cable or satellite service. It is owned by Home Box Office, Inc., the same company that owns HBO. Cinemax first started on August 1, 1980.
When it launched, Cinemax was designed to be a partner channel to HBO. Its main goal was to show movies that had recently been in theaters, as well as classic films. Today, it still shows a lot of movies, but it also has its own original TV shows, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes features.
Cinemax has eight different channels that run 24 hours a day. It also has a service called Cinemax On Demand, where you can choose what you want to watch at any time. You can also watch Cinemax through streaming apps like Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Roku.
History of Cinemax
How It All Started
Before Cinemax, its parent company HBO tried to launch a different movie channel in 1979, but it wasn't very popular. So, they created Cinemax as a new channel to go along with HBO. It launched on August 1, 1980, and promised to show movies without any commercials and without editing them for content.
At first, Cinemax was only available in the Eastern and Central parts of the United States. A West Coast version started a month later. By 1981, the channel was broadcasting 24 hours a day. Many people bought Cinemax as part of a package with HBO.
Becoming a Movie Powerhouse
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In 1990, the company that owned Cinemax and HBO merged with Warner Communications. This was a big deal because it gave Cinemax access to all the great movies from the Warner Bros. film library. This meant Cinemax could show exclusive premieres of huge blockbuster movies.
Some of the famous movies that had their first TV showing on Cinemax include GoodFellas in 1991, The Fugitive in 1994, and The Matrix in 2000. This made Cinemax a very popular channel for movie lovers.
A New Look and Original Shows
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For many years, Cinemax was known for showing late-night movies for adults. In the 2010s, the channel decided to change its image. It wanted to be known for high-quality, exciting TV shows, just like its sister channel HBO.
Starting in 2011, Cinemax began to create its own original series. These shows were often action-packed and very popular. Some of the most famous ones were Strike Back, Banshee, and The Knick. This new direction helped Cinemax attract a wider audience.
In January 2020, the channel's owners announced that Cinemax would stop making new original shows. Instead, it would go back to focusing on being a great place to watch movies. The company wanted to put its new original shows on its big streaming service, HBO Max (which is now just called Max).
All the Cinemax Channels
Cinemax doesn't just have one channel. It offers a package of eight different channels, each with a special focus. This is called a "multiplex." This allows viewers to have more choices for what to watch.
Here is a list of the different Cinemax channels and what they show:
| Channel | Description and programming |
|---|---|
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Cinemax |
This is the main channel. It shows blockbuster movies, films from other countries, and original series. New movies often premiere on Saturday nights. |
 MoreMax |
This is a secondary channel that shows movies and shows similar to the main Cinemax channel, but on a different schedule. It's a great way to catch a movie you might have missed. |
 ActionMax |
As its name suggests, this channel is all about action! It shows action movies, westerns, war films, and adventure movies. |
 ThrillerMax |
If you like to be on the edge of your seat, this channel is for you. It plays mystery, suspense, and thriller movies. |
 5StarMax |
This channel shows modern classics and award-winning films. These are the movies that critics and audiences loved. |
 MovieMax |
This channel is aimed at young adults and shows movies that are popular with people between the ages of 18 and 34. |
 OuterMax |
For fans of science fiction, horror, and fantasy, OuterMax shows movies from these imaginative genres. |
 Cinemáx |
This is a Spanish-language version of the main Cinemax channel. It shows Hollywood movies and original series dubbed in Spanish. |
Other Ways to Watch
Cinemax HD
All eight Cinemax channels are available in high definition (HD). This means you can watch movies with a super clear picture and great sound, making it feel more like you're in a movie theater.
Cinemax On Demand
Cinemax On Demand is a service that lets you watch movies and shows from the Cinemax library whenever you want. If you subscribe to Cinemax through your TV provider, you usually get this service for free.
Cinemax Go
Cinemax Go was a streaming service that let subscribers watch Cinemax on their computers, phones, and tablets. It was launched in 2010 but was discontinued in 2022. The company decided to focus on its main streaming app, Max, instead.
Cinemax Around the World
Cinemax isn't just available in the United States. It also has versions in other parts of the world.
- Latin America: A version of Cinemax launched in Latin America in 1993. It shows movies and TV series, but unlike the U.S. version, it includes commercials.
- Asia: Cinemax started broadcasting in Asia in 1996. It focuses on action, comedy, and science fiction movies.
- Central Europe: In countries like Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, Cinemax shows many independent and European films. There are two channels, Cinemax and Cinemax 2.
See also
In Spanish: Cinemax para niños
