Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: Birthplace of HBO
It happened on Nov. 8, 1972. Home Box Office started with several hundred cable subscribers. The bronze plaque was unveiled in 1984, paid for by HBO. It was reported missing in April 2023.
- Address:
- Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Directions:
- On the northwest corner of Public Square, opposite 15 Public Square. From the west side you'll see a self-standing wall with several bronze plaques nailed to it; the HBO plaque is one of them.
- Hours:
- April 2023: reported missing. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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It's gone! In April 2023 I visited the wall that the HBO Birthplace plaque was once on. I can't find why it was taken down. Very disappointing. Does anyone know?
[Kenneth Lewis, 04/29/2023]
On the square of Wilkes-Barre, many milestones are celebrated with historical plaques -- including the Birthplace of HBO in 1972.
[Deb Nies, 09/08/2019]The plaque was bolted to an outdoor wall in 1984. It was paid for by HBO -- as part of a promotion launching Cinemax. Another plaque on the Square claims Wilkes-Barre was the site of "America's First Jazz Festival."
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The wall was recently fenced off, possibly for routine maintenance. Perhaps the plaque commemorating such an important milestone is out for a cleaning. We hope it's not some history-expunging rebrand nonsense (HBO > HBO Max > Max).