Book description
"A read so riveting, it's not hard to imagine watching it unfold on Sunday nights." --The Associated Press "An incisive account that is more than a rosy victory lap for one of TV's most influential channels." --Eric Deggans, NPR's "Books We Love" "It's Not TV proves to be a lively companion to all these shows." --Andrew O'Hagan, The New York Review of Books The inside story of HBO, the start-up company that reinvented television--by two veteran media reporters HBO changed how stories could be told on TV. The Sopranos, Sex and the City, The Wire, Game of Thrones. The network's meteoric rise heralded the second golden age of television with serialized shows that examined and reflected American anxieties, fears, and secret passions through complicated characters who were flawed and often unlikable. HBO's own behind-the-scenes story is as complex, compelling, and innovative as the dramas the network created, driven by unorthodox executives who pushed the boundaries of what viewers understood as television at the turn of the century. Originally conceived by a small upstart group of entrepreneurs to bring Hollywood movies into living rooms across America, the scrappy network grew into one of the most influential and respected players in Hollywood. It's Not TV is the deeply reported, definitive story of one of America's most daring and popular cultural institutions, laying bare HBO's growth, dominance, and vulnerability within the capricious media landscape over the past fifty years. Through the visionary executives, showrunners, and producers who shaped HBO, seasoned journalists Gillette and Koblin bring to life a dynamic cast of characters who drove the company's creative innovation in astonishing ways--outmaneuvering copycat competitors, taming Hollywood studios, transforming 1980s comedians and athletes like Chris Rock and Mike Tyson into superstars, and in the late 1990s and 2000s elevating the commercial-free, serialized drama to a revered art form. But in the midst of all its success, HBO was also defined by misbehaving executives, internal power struggles, and a few crucial miscalculations. As data-driven models like Netflix have taken over streaming, HBO's artful, instinctual, and humanistic approach to storytelling is in jeopardy. Taking readers into the boardrooms and behind the camera, It's Not TV tells the surprising, fascinating story of HBO's ascent, its groundbreaking influence on American business, technology, and popular culture, and its increasingly precarious position in the very market it created.
Serendipity
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Y0dler
Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Chapstick
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. 🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖
Demand Chopper
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length – I'm in! Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Dez Bonbon
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. 🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Fire Feline
ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Junkyard Dog
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable.
Wild Kitten
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Lime
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Venom Charms
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Digital Goddess
Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Doughboy, Esq
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
Stickers
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
Shay
Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
General Broomdog
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Tokyo Dream
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. 💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫 ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Dance Cannon
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Delicious Wing
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful.
Tunez
No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥
Risen
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience