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.
Bug Fire
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ
Nessie Pork
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Ember Master
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a true marvel.
Marshmallow Treat
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Poppin Loot
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
Virgo Moon
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible.
Toxic-oxide
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere.
Chuckles
ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks β it's truly invigorating. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise.
Neophyte Believer
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience.
WittyWordsmith
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine.
Lucky Aurora
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata.
Miss Murder
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
The Flying Mouse
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow.
Barbwire
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences.
Tin Mutt
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Shade Nightman
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Honey
πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Chapstick
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§
Desert Haze
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable.
Charms
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
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