What the "heck" is HBO's problem? cancelling so many good shows?

Question

Carnivale, Deadwood, Rome ?

are they just trying to make people hate their guts?

not to mention they go after people pretty fiercely for downloading their shows, but then i guess that's another topic.

Answer 1

Good shows? Really? In comparison to s*x and The City and The Sopranos, HBO have been swinging at strikes lately.

The ratings for those shows pale in comparison to their rival Showtime, so HBO has been canning their shows instead of plowing more money into them and hoping they recover.

Answer 2

when it comes to the business of film making, yes they look at it as a business only, the one goal for a show is to make enough episodes to continue making profit from the box set dvds. once the income on the show has leveled out they can cancel it, make money on the dvds, and put new shows in its place in hopes of drawing more viewers.