With the coming end of the popular series The Sopranos and Deadwood, people are starting to ask some questions about HBO and if it can stay on top of the cable world.
Syracuse University professor of popular culture Robert Thompson mentions that they need to come up with something soon, or they may become just another TV network.
“Right this second, I think they’re still the most exciting place on television ... it still has some programming that isn’t going on anywhere else on television,” says Thompson. “I think HBO is still sitting in the catbird seat of that 'It’s not TV ... It’s HBO [slogan].’ But one could predict that if some new things don’t get into the lineup that could serve as a true anchor programming, within five years we could be saying, 'HBO ... It’s pretty much TV.’ ”
He says this because there is a vacuum from the popular shows leaving, that at this time isn't being replaced. There are no more hits that are bringing in huge ratings.
Still, since Sex in the City was dropped in 2004 and the Sopranos weren't shown for almost two years, HBO still gained a 2.6% increase in subsribers, up to 28.2 million in 2006s first quarter, up from 27.6 million, according to Kagan Research.
Not only that, but they also added $3 billion to Time Warner's (TWX) bottom line. This isn't bad for a company many are considering as struggling.
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