In Slate Peter Aspeden writes that HBO transformed television from something that was viewed as “the lowliest form of cultural consumption” into a premiere art form. In this article he discusses the attributes that helped HBO achieve this success and take in $4 billion along the way.

• The Larry Sanders Show was the tipping point for the network. Viewers realized that HBO was doing “something original and distinctive.”
• This and other shows attracted the creative community which soon learnt that their ideas would be given a fair chance on the network.
• All of this combines to create a commitment to quality and excellence in television programming that is the reason for HBO’s success.

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Source: Slate