HBO became the first national cable channel in 1975 by becoming the first American network to deliver its programming by satellite. Its early focus was on showing uncut, commercial-free movies to subscribers who paid extra for the channel. As rival premium cable channels appeared, HBO expanded with Cinemax in 1980 and eventually added multiple HBO and Cinemax channels. Beginning in the 1980s, HBO also began developing original programming, which became an increasingly important part of its identity and eventually included acclaimed series such as The Sopranos, The Wire, and Game of Thrones.
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