Budapest - Home Box Office Central Europe (HBO CE), a leading provider of premium movie channels in Central Europe today launches its new movie channel, CINEMAX. The channel is available in six European countries - Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Romania and Bulgaria – it was announced today by Jim Helfgott, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for HBO Central Europe.

Cinemax is a new premium movie channel, a channel „for real movie lovers” providing additional choice for those who want to see more movies. The unique and exciting programming of Cinemax will include top movies with great casts in entertaining stories and award winning films from around the world, in local languages, 18 hours on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends without any commercial interruptions.

Cinemax is owned and will be operated by HBO CE, the people who brought HBO to 9 countries in Central Europe. „Backed up by HBO Central Europe’s huge expertise and more than 13 years of experience in the pay television business, Cinemax will make a big impression on customers” – said John Rossiter, Vice President of New Business Development for HBO CE.

In making the announcement of the launch, Jim Helfgott stated, „As the cable industry is rolling out digital platforms, HBO will continue to support this process. HBO CE is launching Cinemax to offer more entertainment options and diversity to subscribers. In fact, Cinemax will be a perfect complement to HBO and HBO2. The reason is that the three channels in one package will provide added value and will ensure the greatest line-up of movies, original programming series and special programs to customers.”

“The strong programming content of Cinemax will come from some of the best Hollywood studios and independent producers," said Judit Minda Vice President of Programming for HBO CE . "Additionally there will be a strong representation of independent studios from all over the world giving the channel a truly international feel." – she added.

Cinemax offers its subscribers a clear and easy–to–follow schedule. Every night there is guaranteed combo evening anchors at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Cinemax offers unique programming packages for each night of the week that grant diverse viewing opportunities for its subscribers.

Cinemax is a unique channel, providing products that have not been seen on HBO. While HBO focuses on the biggest current Hollywood box office hits, HBO original series, concerts of the greatest recording artists of the moment and live events, Cinemax puts emphasis on high quality movies with good stories and great cast, classic movie favorites, cult films, award winning movies from all over the world and film festival hits first time on TV.

Cinemax provides exceptional, unusual products from around the world and will excite viewers with its unique and user-friendly way of scheduling. The channel provides variety to the subscriber with an identifiable pattern. Current HBO subscribers will appreciate that Cinemax is counter-scheduled to HBO in order to maximize the entertainment value. With it’s unique thematic primetime anchors, Cinemax will give the subscribers something different to look forward to each day of the week.

Monday night is dedicated to WMax, the movie choice for women, the palette of which ranges from intelligent, thoughtful, provoking dramas to powerful romances and intriguing mysteries.

Tuesday’s Showcase contains programming with a wide variety of films, from star and director profiles to novels-to-film packages. This means that Showcase will bring the subscriber two thematically connected movies that together create a perfect match for a great night of cinema magic.

Cinema of the World goes international each Wednesday evening: it includes unforgettable and critically acclaimed movies from all over the world - cutting-edge independent movies, European films and award winners of the most prestigious festivals of the world.

Today’s Classics involves a great variety of award-winning and most-watched modern classics and all time favorites. Great legendary movies from the modern era that you love to watch again and again. Subscribers can watch the movies of Today’s Classics every Thursday.

Friday’s @Max shows contemporary and cult movies, movies with eye-opening topics, attitude and new ideas.

On Saturdays Cinemax has 2 packages: at 8 p.m. Saturday Premiere brings an exclusive new movie premiere each week, while at 10 p.m. Guilty Pleasure presents movies with an erotic theme for sophisticated viewers who like to sink into sensual fantasies.

Twilight Zone provides viewers with edge-of-your-seat entertainment with the best thrillers, sci-fi, horror and fantasy movies. Twilight Zone is where borders of our world fade to let mystery, suspense, and sometimes fear take over.

About HBO Central Europe
Home Box Office, America’s most successful premium television network arrived in the Central European Region in 1991, providing basic and premium pay television entertainment channels for Cable TV, Direct-to-Home and MMDS platforms. HBO CE - owned by HBO Inc., Disney and Sony Pictures Entertainment – currently provides basic and premium channels to 9 countries in the region including: Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and most recently Slovenia and Croatia.

HBO offers a high quality movie channel with a unique programming line-up that has something for everyone in the family. HBO is bringing the biggest blockbusters, award winning original series, exclusive events and the biggest stars into the home.

HBO Central Europe is headquartered in Budapest, Hungary.