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.
- 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.
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On the square of Wilkes-Barre, many milestones are celebrated with historical plaques -- including the Birthplace of HBO in 1972.
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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."