About
"HBO was primitive when I got there. It didn't know what it could be, what it should be, or how to get there. Serendipitously, a really interesting collection of people came together. We had lots of laughs - I never did a meeting without a joke. If you go talk to old HBO people just ask them, 'What was it like back then?' It was Camelot to us."
In his three-hour interview, Michael Fuchs discusses his early life, including his time as an entertainment lawyer and his stint in the legal department of the William Morris Agency. He recounts his start at HBO and his decision to bring more than just movies to the channel. He describes HBO's early business model, his creative team there, and his rise to CEO. Fuchs speaks about HBO's place among the broadcast networks, how home video changed HBO's fortunes, and outlines some early HBO original programming. He recalls the creation of Cinemax, and how he invented the practice of "multiplexing" channels to give viewers a wider selection of choices. He reflects upon HBO's signature shows including Dream On, The Larry Sanders Show, and 1st and 10, as well as HBO movies Stalin, Sakharov, and the children's program, Fraggle Rock. He talks about his time as the head of Warner Music and touches on the various projects he's been involved with since. Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 8, 2010 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Michael Fuchs on early controversial and political HBO programming
Michael Fuchs on the advent of "multiplexing" programming
Michael Fuchs on the merger of Warner Bros. and Time Inc.
Michael Fuchs on the creation of Cinemax
Michael Fuchs on turning down Seinfeld for HBO
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on television he watched as a child; on his time in entertainment law and at The William Morris Agency
On how he came to work for HBO; on his decision to branch out HBO beyond movies; on his early HBO team
On HBO's early business model; on HBO's interaction with networks, movie studios and home video; on early HBO original programming
On HBO's censorship policy; on the creation of Cinemax and "multiplexing"; on the early technical aspects of HBO
Chapter 2
On HBO dealing with government regulations and cable companies; on HBO's keystone shows, including Dream On
On various HBO series; on HBO's international programming and satellites; on developing made-for-television movies for HBO
On developing Fraggle Rock and Not Necessarily the News; on HBO Sports programming; on HBO since his departure
On HBO programming verses broadcast network programming; on the merger of Warner Bros. and Time Inc.
Chapter 3
On the effect of the Time Inc./Warner Bros. merger on HBO; on his time as President of Warner Music
On being fired from Time/Warner; on HBO's brand
On then-current projects; on the future of television
On advice to aspiring executives; on business achievements and regrets
Shows
Dream On
Michael Fuchs on developing HBO's Dream On
Everybody Loves Raymond
Michael Fuchs on various series HBO had a hand in developing or eventually turned down
Fraggle Rock
Michael Fuchs on developing Fraggle Rock for HBO
Friends
Michael Fuchs on developing HBO's Dream On
In Living Color
Michael Fuchs on various series HBO had a hand in developing or eventually turned down
Larry Sanders Show, The
Michael Fuchs on developing The Larry Sanders Show for HBO
Not Necessarily the News
Michael Fuchs on developing Not Necessarily the News for HBO
Roseanne
Michael Fuchs on various series HBO had a hand in developing or eventually turned down
Seinfeld
Michael Fuchs on turning down Seinfeld for HBO
Sex and the City
Michael Fuchs on HBO Sports programming and HBO post-his departure
Sopranos, The
Michael Fuchs on HBO Sports programming and HBO post-his departure
Tanner '88
Michael Fuchs on early controversial and political HBO programming
Topics
Media Consolidation
Michael Fuchs on the merger of Warner Bros. and Time Inc.
Michael Fuchs on the effect of the Time Inc./Warner Bros. merger on HBO's programming
Technological Innovation
Michael Fuchs on the early technical aspects of HBO
Michael Fuchs on the advent of "multiplexing" programming
Michael Fuchs on HBO's foray into international programming and the use of satellites to deliver programming
Michael Fuchs on the future of television
Television Industry
Michael Fuchs on HBO branching out beyond movies
Michael Fuchs on HBO's early business model
Michael Fuchs on the networks' and movie studios' early reaction to HBO, and HBO's reaction to home video
Michael Fuchs on the advent of "multiplexing" programming
Michael Fuchs on the merger of Warner Bros. and Time Inc.
Michael Fuchs on HBO's foray into international programming and the use of satellites to deliver programming
Michael Fuchs on the effect of the Time Inc./Warner Bros. merger on HBO's programming
Michael Fuchs on HBO's brand and advertising
Michael Fuchs on the future of television
Professions
Cable Executive
Michael Fuchs on advice to aspiring executives
Executives
Michael Fuchs on advice to aspiring executives
Television Executive
Michael Fuchs on advice to aspiring executives
Genres
Children's Programming
Michael Fuchs on developing Fraggle Rock for HBO
Comedy Series
Michael Fuchs on developing Not Necessarily the News for HBO
Sports
Michael Fuchs on HBO Sports programming and HBO post-his departure
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Michael Fuchs on developing the made-for-television movies Stalin and Sakharov for HBO
People
George Carlin
Michael Fuchs on early controversial and political HBO programming
David Crane
Michael Fuchs on developing HBO's Dream On
Jim Henson
Michael Fuchs on developing Fraggle Rock for HBO
Marta Kauffman
Michael Fuchs on developing HBO's Dream On
John Malone
Michael Fuchs on HBO's foray into international programming and the use of satellites to deliver it
Steve Martin
Michael Fuchs on HBO branching out beyond movies
Sheila Nevins
Michael Fuchs on hiring Sheila Nevins at HBO
Robin Williams
Michael Fuchs on early viewer reaction to and censorship policy of HBO