HBO drops adults-only shows (sort of)
Much like New York purged the porn from Times Square in the 1990s, HBO has banished its adult content from its website and apps.
That’s not to say nudity is no more on the cable network: Original series such as “Game of Thrones” and “The Deuce” will continue to pour on the steam.
But adult movies and shows like “Taxicab Confessions,” “Real Sex,” “Cathouse” — pretty much all the softcore content that has been part of HBO’s late-night Friday slate for decades, is history, as first reported in the Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter.
In a statement to both outlets, a spokesperson confirmed that the channel was indeed consciously changing its programming.
“Over the past several years HBO has been winding down its late-night adult fare,” the statement read. “While we’re greatly ramping up our other original program offerings, there hasn’t been a strong demand for this kind of adult programming, perhaps because it’s easily available elsewhere.” Some on Twitter reacted to reports with jest. Read one tweet: “The radio: And HBO has announced it’s getting rid of all adult-themed programming and soft-core porn,” one user wrote. “My fellow Lyft rider: Well there goes Thrones LOL.”
Another appeared genuinely upset at the news.
“End of an era. And it’s too bad,” a user shared. “Yes, some of these shows and movies were just vehicles for naked people ... but ‘Real Sex’ was probably the most sex positive-show in history.”
As part of its next era, HBO has curated a Friday night offering that includes late-night shows and unique comedies: “Animals” (10:30 p.m. Central Time), which depicts creatures living in New York City, and “Random Acts of Flyness” (11 p.m.). Recently renewed for a second season, the latter explores themes like blackness, sexuality and police violence.