HBO (Home Box Office) launched on November 8, 1972, with just 365 subscribers for its initial broadcast—a live NHL game followed by a Paul Newman film.

Originally designed as a commercial-free movie channel via cable, HBO became the first to distribute its programming nationally via satellite in 1975 .

Strategic Shift to Originals

Between the late 1970s and 1980s, HBO invested in distinctive programming—documentaries, concerts and theater—not typical of commercial cable.

By the 1990s, original scripted content became the hallmark—shows like The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood, Game of Thrones, Succession, The White Lotus, and more.

Legacy & Awards

The Sopranos was the first cable series nominated for Outstanding Drama Series (Emmy) and won in 2004 & 2007 .

HBO prestige continued with Game of Thrones, Succession, The Gilded Age (renewed for season 3 in June 2025), House of the Dragon, and others, earning dozens of Emmy nods .

📺 Max (formerly HBO Max): Streaming’s New Era

Rebrand & Bundling

HBO’s premium streaming service rebranded to Max, integrating content from Warner Bros, Discovery, CNN, and more.

Bundles like Max + Disney+ + Hulu are now offered for as low as $16.99/month with ads (a 35% savings).

Tiered Plans

With Ads: ~$9.99/month (ad-supported basic plan).

Ad-Free: $14.99/month, cancel any time .

Premium Add-ons: Live sports, 4K options, downloads, etc.

Student Plan: $4.99/month for Max with Ads—50% off for students.

💰 Save with ScratchCoup Discount Codes

Maximize your savings—apply a ScratchCoup discount coupon code when subscribing:

SCRATCHCoup15 – Take 15% off a monthly Max plan.

SCRATCHCoup40 – Get up to 40% off annual plans or “4-month prepaid” deals .

Enter the code in the “Promo Code” box during sign-up to see instant savings.

🌟 What Makes HBO/Max Stand Out

Unmatched Original Programming
Emmy-winning originals (Succession, The White Lotus, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, etc.) offer high-quality storytelling and production value.

Rich Back Catalog
Classic HBO series (The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood), alongside Warner Bros and Discovery titles.

Flexible Streaming & Bundles
More options mean better value—everything from ad-supported to premium plans and bundled access.

Frequent Promotions
Verified 10–40% off coupons across platforms like SimplyCodes and ScratchCoup.

❓ FAQs

Q1: How do I redeem a ScratchCoup promo code?
A1: During Max signup, paste the code in the “Promo Code” box and click “Get the Promo” before payment.

Q2: Can I stack ScratchCoup codes with other offers?
A2: No—Max only allows one promo code per order. Use the best offer available SimplyCodes.

Q3: What’s the difference between Max with Ads and Ad-Free?
A3: With Ads is cheaper ($9.99/month) but includes commercial breaks. Ad-Free costs $14.99/month.

Q4: Are annual plans worth it?
A4: Yes—annual subscriptions often save ~20%, and you can stack a ScratchCoup 15–40% off code for even more value .

Q5: Do students get extra discounts?
A5: Yes—the Student With Ads plan is just $4.99/month (50% off).

Q6: Is there a way to trial Max for free?
A6: No standard trials exist now, but bundles (like with Hulu or Amazon Prime) occasionally offer the first month free.