The History of HBO Family (and the FAILED HBO Kids)

[TMC]

Today, I go over the brief history of HBO, HBO Family, HBO Kids, HBO's Magnet, and HBO's Jam and the various cartoons and programming that aired on the channel over the years before its 2025 shutdown.

Chapters:

• 0:00 -- Intro
• 1:24 -- HBO's Launch
• 2:45 -- Take 2
• 3:37 -- HBO Family's Launch
• 5:15 -- Jam and Magnet
• 7:12 -- HBO Kids / The Downfall of HBO Family

[Hawkee]

When HBO was launched in 1975 as the world's first ever cable network in history HBO was originally aimed at the adult and older audience between the ages of 30-50 years old and family oriented movie channels were few and far between and as more children's movies were being introduced in the 1980's HBO felt that it was time to develop their own family channel with movies that kids as well as families could enjoy together. Thus HBO For Kids was launched in the 80's and was well recieved. And with movies such as National Velvet The Wizard Of Oz All Dogs Go To Heaven and other kids movies HBO For Kids had proven themselves well done. But with the popularity of Nickelodeon The Family Channel and Disney Channel being tops with kids HBO For Kids knew that it couldn't just survive on kids movies alone so they started creating their own original shows and cartoons and so with their most successful cartoon series Happily Ever After Fairytales for Every Child HBO knew that by judging how well this series did kids would watch it. And with an amazing celebrity cast ranging from James Earl Jones Regis Philbin and Joy Philbin Whoopi Goldberg Jasmine Guy and other celebrities Happily Ever After Fairytales For Every Child was indeed a smash hit. Soon after the success of Happily Ever After Fairytales For Every Child HBO For Kids decided to press their luck again this time with a series based on the Dear America books by Scholastic and when it debuted it was also a success because it followed the books quite well. And HBO For Kids already had a hit with The Babysitters Club show and another Scholastic show fit well like a glove for HBO For Kids. But in my eyes what happened with HBO For Kids/Family was they wanted to attract more kids into educational programming and with PBS and Nick Jr. having shows for preschoolers HBO For Kids/Family was changing it's image. But I think was the cause for the channel's demise was they kept repeating the same movies like Thumbelina Anastasia Balto and Quest For Camelot and you need to add more hit kids movies but I have to admit Happily Ever After Fairy Tales For Every Child was well done when I saw a few episodes of it. But I do wish that a family oriented movie channel could be launched in the future but I doubt it will happen soon