Say Hello to HBO Canada! Get ready for Bill Maher, Chris Rock and even more exclusive programming from HBO

A politically incorrect talk show host, a gang of modern-day vampires, a slew of shockingly hilarious comedians and a variety of captivating true stories are set to light up television screens across Canada on Thursday, October 30, 2008 as Astral Media’s The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central (Western Canada) unveil HBO Canada, a new multiplex channel that will deliver a full slate of HBO’s renowned programming, from original series and films to comedy specials, documentaries and live events.

Among the new and never-before-seen programming scheduled to air on HBO Canada in November are series and specials such as the long-awaited Canadian debut of the controversial and candid late-night comedy talk series Real Time With Bill Maher; Chris Rock’s outrageous stand-up performance in Chris Rock: Kill The Messenger; the hit Australian mockumentary series Summer Heights High and the crass, crude comedy special Down and Dirty With Jim Norton.

Also in November, HBO Canada will offer the premiere episodes of critically acclaimed new and returning marquee series such as Entourage, True Blood, Little Britain USA and The Life & Times of Tim, as well as some of HBO’s provocative late-night specials including Cathouse and Taxicab Confessions.

The upcoming schedule will also include acclaimed library titles such as the groundbreaking prison drama OZ; the best of Sasha Baron Cohen’s Da Ali G Show; Gia, the original film that jetted Angelina Jolie to stardom and Angels In America, the Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning miniseries about the AIDS epidemic.

Below is some additional information on HBO Canada’s highlighted programming in November:

Real Time With Bill Maher (Season 6)
Latest episode will premiere day-and-date with HBO on Friday, October 31 at 11 p.m. ET/MT

Making his long-awaited debut in Canada, HBO’s politically incorrect muse, Bill Maher, takes on the contenders and pretenders in the 2008 U.S. election in the latest season of his HBO original series. Offering a unique perspective on contemporary issues, each live, one-hour show includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panellists and interviews with guests in studio and via satellite. Real Time With Bill Maher will premiere live on HBO Canada day-and-date with HBO in the U.S. New episodes will air Friday nights at 11 p.m. until November 14, with the next season scheduled to begin in January 2009. Viewers can also catch up on all of the previous episodes from season 6 on demand and during Real Time marathons on November 1 and 2.

Chris Rock: Kill The Messenger (Comedy Special)
Premieres Saturday, November 1 at 10 p.m. ET/MT

World-class comedian Chris Rock takes the stage on HBO Canada with his all-new, 90-minute stand-up comedy special. Featuring footage from his recent world tour – at South Africa’s Carnival City Casino, New York’s legendary Apollo Theatre and the Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London – this special will feature Rock’s unique, adults-only take on celebrity, society and politics.

Down and Dirty With Jim Norton (Comedy Special)
Premieres Sunday, November 9 at 10 p.m. ET/MT

Taped at New Jersey’s Bergen Performing Arts Centre, outrageous comedy star Jim Norton hosts this four-part, profanely funny comedy showcase featuring performances by established and up-and-coming comics, such as Artie Lang (The Howard Stern Show Radio Show, Dirty Work) and Andrew Dice Clay.

Summer Heights High (New Series)
Premieres day-and-date with HBO on Sunday, November 9 at 10:30 p.m. ET/MT

Making its North American debut, this hit half-hour Australian mockumentary series from creator and star Chris Lilley (We Can Be Heroes) looks at high school life through the skewed lens of the self-centred exchange student Ja’mie, Jonah, the offensive delinquent and their eccentric drama teacher Mr. G — all played by Chris Lilley. Also stars Danny Alsabbagh and Elida Brereton.

Dirty Driving: Thundercars of Indiana (Original Documentary)
Premieres day-and-date with HBO on Monday, November 17 at 8 p.m. ET/MT

Since the closing of a General Motors plant and the loss of 33,000 jobs, the once-thriving town of Anderson, Indiana, now stands witness to empty factories and shuttered stores. But every Friday night, people gather at Anderson Speedway to watch fender-bumping, tire-trashing stock car racing at its rawest. Directed by Jon Alpert (Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq), this documentary paints a portrait of the decline of rust belt America, where high-speed racing is an all-consuming obsession.

New episodes of HBO programming currently premiering on The Movie Network and Movie Central’s main channels – such as True Blood, Entourage (season 5), Little Britain USA and The Life & Times of Tim – will continue to air simultaneously on The Movie Network, Movie Central and HBO Canada until the season has concluded its current run. Moving forward, all new HBO programming will air exclusively on HBO Canada.

In the coming months, viewers can also look forward to the original two-part movie event from HBO and BBC entitled House of Saddam; the return of HBO’s Flight of the Conchords (season 2) and Big Love (season 3); and Real Time With Bill Maher (season 7).

HBO Canada includes a standard definition and high definition offering. HBO Canada programming will also be offered on demand through The Movie Network OnDemand and Movie Central On Demand where available by service provider.

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