Global Players in Europe 2: HBO

This chapter evaluates HBO Europe’s local productions for European territories. Based on a complete registration of all HBO Europe productions and interviews with leading personnel, the chapter argues that HBO has been able to transpose the US brand and production model to Europe, and has succeeded in localizing content for local audiences, while at the same time catering a transnational audience. Especially through local format adaptations, local talent development and a richly represented crime genre, HBO Europe has been able to secure a European brand name as well as an opportunity to transfer the ‘quality’ brand to local audiences across Europe. The result is localized production models and a transnational availability of local European TV productions.