Deva Premal

# Deva Premal

## Abstract

Deva Premal (born 2 April 1970 in Nürnberg, Germany, as Jolantha Fries) is a German singer known for introducing Sanskrit mantras into the mainstream. Her music is composed and produced with Prabhu Music. Her album Deva (2018) received a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Age Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.

## Biography

Premal met her partner in both life and music, Miten, at the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune, India in 1990, where she was studying reflexology, shiatsu, craniosacral therapy and massage. They have been touring together since 1992, offering concerts and chant workshops worldwide.

Premal brought this journey with the Gayatri Mantra full circle in July 2005, when she and Miten chanted it for her father as he was dying; "We kept singing for what must have been over half an hour when suddenly the monitor showed that he was about to leave. I continued to sing, and the last sound he heard as he passed on was his beloved "Gayatri Mantra." Finally, we ended with the mantra Om, and the circle was complete. He had welcomed me onto this planet with the "Gayatri," and I accompanied him out of this physical existence with it. What a blessing this was for me! It was the first time that I was present at a death, and to be at my father's is a memory I will cherish all my life."

In an interview with Sam Slovik of LA Yoga Magazine, Premal discussed the potent effect many notice when chanting mantras:

"The meaning is secondary. The word table is not the table...with Sanskrit, the word ananda is the sound vibration of bliss. In sound the energy of bliss. We have to say bliss; we have to make it smaller by putting it into an English word. Just the sound; ananda, If we were sensitive enough, we'd just feel the entire scope of that energy that's contained in this sound... It's working on a cellular level. It's much deeper than the mind. It's not a language that you need to understand the meaning of before you use it. It's a deep universal sound code that connects us all."

Premal's chants have been used in a variety of settings. Cher featured Premal's version of the "Gayatri Mantra" on her Farewell Tour and Russian prima ballerina Diana Vishneva danced to Premal's "Gayatri" in Moses Pendleton's F.L.O.W. series. Actor/director Edward James Olmos is said to have handed out copies of Premal's "Gayatri Mantra" to the cast and crew of Battlestar Galactica, as well as citing her music as an inspiration in preparing his role as Commander Adama in the series. Olmos also used "Om Hraum Mitraya" from Premal's album Dakshina (2005) to close his HBO movie Walkout.

Premal and Miten performed for The Dalai Lama during a 2002 Conference in Munich, Germany on "Unity in Duality," which brought top figures from the scientific community together with members of the Buddhist community. They gave a concert for the full conference, and were also invited to sing for the Dalai Lama at a small pre-conference gathering. They sang the Tara Mantra for the Dalai Lama because they had heard that it was his favorite mantra and that he had recently requested it while he was ailing. The mantra is dedicated to the Green Tara of Compassion.

Premal's Tibetan Mantras for Precarious Times (2010) was recorded with the Gyuto Monks of Tibet, known for their tradition of overtone singing. It was created as a support for mantra meditation practice, featuring eight mantras each chanted 108 times. It is a benefit CD, with proceeds going to the Gyuto Monastery in Dharmsala, India, the Phowa Project, and Veggiyana.

## Music & information

Premal and Miten say they use a process of "natural selection" to choose the mantras on their albums. Premal has said she gravitates toward Sanskrit mantras rather than mantras from other languages. She says that, for her, removing her ego from her understanding of the mantra allows the creative process to express the true meaning of the mantra.

She explains that the purpose of their work "is to be open to the Goddess of music – to be true to ourselves, as musicians, as 'teachers;' as partners, and ultimately, as individuals – fellow travelers. We accomplish this by not 'trying' to accomplish anything. We take very little credit for what is happening around our so-called success (we have sold over a million albums now) – we see ourselves as messengers of a 5,000-year-old tradition... so our part in the process is to show up and chant." Her vocal range is contralto.

## Discography

- 1997 – Trusting the Silence (with Miten)

- 1998 – The Essence

- 1998 – Strength of a Rose (with Miten)

- 2000 – Love Is Space

- 2002 – Embrace

- 2002 – Satsang (with Miten)

- 2003 – Songs for the Inner Lover (with Miten)

- 2004 – More Than Music (with Miten)

- 2005 – Dakshina

- 2005 – Live in Byron Bay (with Miten)

- 2007 – Sings the Moola Mantra

- 2007 – Soul in Wonder (with Miten and Manose)

- 2008 – Into Silence

- 2009 – In Concert – The Yoga of Sacred Song and Chant (with Miten and Manose)

- 2009 – Mantras for Precarious Times

- 2009 – DevaSonic Vol 1

- 2009 – DevaSonic Vol 2

- 2009 – Download Singles (with Miten)

- 2010 – Into Light

- 2010 – Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times

- 2011 – Password

- 2013 – 21-Day Mantra Meditation Journey (with Miten)

- 2013 – A Deeper Light (with Miten and Manose)

- 2013 – MantraLove (with Miten)

- 2014 – Mantras for Life (with Miten and Manose)

- 2014 – The Spirit of Mantra (21-Day Mantra Meditation Journey, Vol. II) (with Miten)

- 2015 – Songs for the Sangha (with Miten and Manose)

- 2016 – Cosmic Connections Live (with Miten and Manose)

- 2018 – Deva

- 2022 – Timeless (with Miten)

- 2024 – All the Birds Fly Home (Live, with Miten)


Kyle Larson

# Kyle Larson

## Abstract

Kyle Miyata Larson (born July 31, 1992) is an American professional auto racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro for the same team, and part-time in the NTT IndyCar Series, driving the No. 17 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren. Before and throughout his stock car racing career, Larson has been highly successful in dirt track racing, with wins in countless prestigious events including the Kings Royal, Knoxville Nationals, and the Chili Bowl Nationals. He also raced in many other forms of racing as an overall winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona sports car race, having won the event with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2015. Larson was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. In 2024, Larson set a NASCAR record at Kansas for the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history.

## Racing career

### Early career

Born on July 31, 1992, in Elk Grove, California, Kyle Miyata Larson attended his first race with his parents a week after his birth. He began racing at the age of seven in outlaw karts in Northern California. As a teenager, he raced open-wheel cars, including the United States Auto Club (USAC) midget, Silver Crown and sprint cars, competing for Keith Kunz Motorsports and Hoffman Racing with Toyota backing; During his early career in USAC, a series official gave Larson the nickname "Yung Money" in recognition of his talent. Larson also raced in World of Outlaws sprint cars and his first sprint car race win came at Placerville Speedway where he was one of the youngest drivers to ever compete. He won the 2011 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway, winning in all three types of USAC cars in a single night, only the second driver in history to accomplish the feat. He won two silver crown races that season and was named the 2011 Rookie of the Year. Larson holds the sprint car track record at Ocean Speedway in 2010. In 2012, he won six USAC National Midget races including the Turkey Night Grand Prix. Even during his stock car career, Larson continued racing open-wheel cars for midweek races in addition to going to New Zealand in some off-seasons to race.

### Stock cars

#### NASCAR K&N Pro Series and ARCA

While Larson expressed some interest in IndyCar racing, he was signed for the 2012 racing season by Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (EGR) as part of the team's driver development program. In February 2012, Larson won his first race in a full bodied stock car in the Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 100 at New Smyrna Speedway. A week later, he won again at the speedway during the World Series of Asphalt.

On June 9, 2012, Larson won his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Gresham Motorsports Park. He scored his second K&N Pro Series East win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. On June 15, Larson finished 13th in his ARCA Racing Series debut at Michigan International Speedway for Eddie Sharp Racing.

On November 3, Larson won the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship with 2 wins and 12 top tens in 14 races, overcoming the five wins of Corey LaJoie (son of two-time Busch Series champion Randy). He also earned the K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year award. On June 7, 2014, Larson scored his first ARCA win at Pocono Raceway.

#### NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

On June 28, 2012, Larson made his Camping World Truck Series debut at Kentucky Speedway in the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado for Turner Motorsports where he finished 10th.

On April 14, 2013, Larson scored his first Truck Series win at Rockingham Speedway in a close finish with Joey Logano. During the celebration, Larson performed donuts without his steering wheel on, a practice he had acquired when racing go-karts. The celebration prompted NASCAR to request him to keep it attached, regarding safety concerns because Larson would not have much control of the truck without the steering wheel.

In 2016, Larson drove the No. 24 truck for GMS Racing at Martinsville Speedway, finishing 4th. At Eldora Speedway, Larson scored his second career Truck Series win.

On February 28, 2020, Larson announced he would be re-joining GMS Racing to drive the No. 24 truck at Homestead-Miami Speedway to pursue a bounty offered by Kevin Harvick to full-time Cup drivers to beat Kyle Busch. Following his suspension from NASCAR, Larson was released from the team.

On March 17, 2021, it was announced that Larson will drive the No. 44 truck for Niece Motorsports at the inaugural Bristol dirt race. He finished 35th in the race.

In 2023, Larson scored his 3rd career Truck Series win at North Wilkesboro.

#### NASCAR Xfinity Series

In February 2013, it was announced that Larson would compete full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013, driving the No. 32 Chevrolet for Turner Scott Motorsports. On the last lap in the season opener at Daytona, Larson was involved in a violent crash when his car got caught onto the right side of Brad Keselowski 's car and then hit the outside wall. At the same time, he was hit in the right rear by Brian Scott which sent his car airborne hitting a crossover gate, and piercing the catch fence, completely ripping off the front end of his car. Larson came across the start-finish line in 13th. He was unharmed, but the debris hurt 28 spectators in the grandstands, two of whom were in critical condition. However, there were no deaths. In the season-finale at Homestead, Larson led the most laps but lost the lead to eventual winner Brad Keselowski with 3 laps remaining and finished 2nd. Larson earned the 2013 Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first Asian-American and first Drive for Diversity participant to win a Rookie of the Year Award in one of NASCAR's national touring series.

Larson drove the No. 42 car on a part-time basis in 2014. On March 22, Larson scored his first career Nationwide Series win at Auto Club Speedway after a hard battle with Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. Larson once again celebrated by doing burnouts in the infield without a steering wheel. In victory lane, Larson stated, "Those last 11, 12 laps were the longest laps of my life. I've been so close to winning so many times, but the fashion we did it in was extra special." At Charlotte Motor Speedway, he scored his second career Nationwide Series win.

In 2015, Larson ran part-time again for HScott Motorsports. He scored his 3rd career Xfinity Series win at Homestead and the first win for HScott Motorsports.

In 2016, Larson continued to drive the No. 42 car part-time for Chip Ganassi Racing. He scored 2 wins at Pocono and Texas.

In 2022, Larson drove the No. 17 car for Hendrick Motorsports at Road America where he finished 2nd to Ty Gibbs. On August 20, Larson scored his 13th career Xfinity Series win at Watkins Glen in the No. 88 car for JR Motorsports.

In 2023, Larson scored a win at Darlington after a dramatic finish with John Hunter Nemechek.

In 2024, Larson won at the Circuit of the Americas after overtaking a dueling Shane van Gisbergen and Austin Hill on the final lap.

#### 2013

On August 27, 2013, The Charlotte Observer reported that Larson will drive the No. 42 car for Chip Ganassi Racing starting in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and would compete for the Rookie of the Year honors. The deal was officially announced on August 30. On October 1, it was announced that Larson would make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the No. 51 car for Phoenix Racing to prepare for his rookie season. In his Cup Series debut, Larson started 21st and finished 37th after an engine failure on lap 247.

#### 2014: Rookie Season

In his Daytona 500 debut, Larson got into the wall twice and came down pit road in the early laps of the race. Despite the car being fixed, Larson spun out on lap 22. Later in the night race, he got wrecked by another rookie contender Austin Dillon who triggered a 7-car wreck on lap 163 and finished 38th. At Auto Club Speedway, Larson finished 2nd to Kyle Busch, his career best finish in the Cup Series.

At Richmond Raceway, Larson recorded a speed of 126.880 miles per hour (204.194 km/h). After qualifying was rained out, he earned the pole based on being the fastest in practice. On the first lap, Larson got spun out by Clint Bowyer while going into turn 1 and later finished in 16th.

At Michigan, Larson spun out on lap 7 while coming off at turn 2. Later in the race, he made a block on one of his strong supporters Tony Stewart while trying to go for the lead and the block damaged Stewart's grille. In response, Stewart tried to retaliate during a yellow-flag period. When told that Stewart was mad at him for the block, Larson shrugged it off replying "Tony being Tony, I guess. I was pretty tight on whoever was inside of me on the restart and I was looking in my mirror and saw him juke to the right so I juked to the right and he hit me and I don't know, he was just trying to teach me a lesson, I'm guessing." Before the Sonoma race, Stewart warned Larson, angrily saying "He'll learn not to block me anytime soon."

Larson earned his first Cup Series pole for the 2014 Gobowling.com 400 at Pocono Raceway where he set the track record with a lap speed of 183.438 mph (295.215 km/h). He finished 11th in the race. Following the 2014 Cup Series season, Larson earned the Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year award with 8 top fives and 16 top tens. His statistics being higher than other rookie seasons in history, such as those of Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon.

#### 2015

Larson began the season with a DNF at the 2015 Daytona 500. During an autograph session at Martinsville Speedway, Larson fainted and was hospitalized. He was replaced by Regan Smith. Two days later, Larson was released from the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration as being the cause of the faint. After a disappointing season, he finished 19th in the points standings.

#### 2016

Larson began the season with a seventh-place finish at the 2016 Daytona 500, his first top 10 and first non-DNF. On May 21, 2016, Larson won the Sprint Showdown after edging out rookie contender Chase Elliott to earn a spot in the All-Star Race for the first time. At the 2016 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Larson took the lead on the final restart, but was caught by Joey Logano and hit the wall with two laps to go and finished 16th.

On August 28, Larson scored his first ever Sprint Cup Series win at Michigan. Larson's victory qualified him into the Chase for the first time in his career. In his first Chase appearance, Larson finished 18th at Chicagoland and followed up with a 10th-place finish at New Hampshire. Larson was eliminated from the Round of 16 at Dover where he finished 25th.

#### 2017

Larson began the season with a 12th-place finish at the 2017 Daytona 500 and followed up with 3 consecutive second-place finishes at Atlanta, Las Vegas and Phoenix that moved him up to 1st in the points standings. On March 26, Larson scored his second career Cup Series win at Auto Club Speedway. At Michigan, Larson scored his second win of the season.

At Kentucky, Larson started at the rear of the field after he was unable to set a qualifying time as he was stuck in an inspection. He finished second to eventual winner Martin Truex Jr. but lost his points lead in the standings when he was penalized 35 points for an improper rear brake cooling assembly. Crew chief Chad Johnston was suspended for three races and Tony Lunders took his place.

A week later, Larson won the pole for the Loudon's Overton's 301, but was forced to surrender it to Truex after failing post-qualifying inspection for an unapproved rear deck fin lid. He finished second in the race after starting 39th. On the final restart at the 2017 Pure Michigan 400, Larson restarted 4th and made a four-wide pass for the lead with 2 laps to go and went on to score his third straight Michigan win. He scored his fourth win of the season at Richmond (and his first win that is not a two-mile track) in the final race of the regular season.

Larson made it to the Round of 12 after he scored top 5 finishes at Chicagoland, New Hampshire, and Dover. At Kansas, Larson's championship hopes have dashed after an engine blew up on lap 72 that resulted in a 39th-place finish. After being eliminated from the playoffs, Larson finished 37th at Martinsville and Texas both due to crashes and a last-place finish at Phoenix from an expired engine.

#### 2018

Despite being winless throughout the 2018 season, Larson made it to the Playoffs by staying consistent with five second-place finishes, eight top 5's, and 13 top 10's. At Charlotte Roval, Larson led 47 laps and was in contention for the win until he was involved in a multi-car wreck on a late restart that also included playoff contenders Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch. Despite the car being heavily damaged as a result of the wreck, Larson was still able to advance to the Round of 12 after finishing 25th.

Larson experienced further bad luck at Talladega when a right front tire blew and spun out on lap 105 and finished 11th. 3 days later, the No. 42 team was docked 10 driver and 10 owner points after the team violated the damaged vehicle policy by using metal tabs instead of fasteners and/or tape to repair the torn right front fender. Larson was eliminated in the Round of 12 after he finished 3rd at Kansas fall race. He finished the season ninth in the points standings, the highest of the winless drivers in 2018 along with a third consecutive top 10 points finish.

#### 2019

Before the start of the 2019 season, Larson lost his primary sponsor DC Solar, whose headquarters had been raided by the FBI on December 18, 2018. Larson started the season with a 7th-place finish at the 2019 Daytona 500. At Atlanta, Larson led over 100 laps before he was penalized for speeding on pit road which sent him to the back of the field and finished 12th.

On February 26, 2019, Larson sparked controversy on the NBC Sports segment Splash & Go! with host Rick Allen when he jokingly implied that Hendrick Motorsports starts "cheating and finding some speed" a couple of months into the start of a season. Larson later apologized to Rick Hendrick for his comments. On the final lap at the Talladega spring race, Larson was involved in a major accident when his car went airborne and rolled over multiple times. He was uninjured.

On May 18, Larson won the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race. Following the Darlington race, Larson clinched his spot in the playoffs for the fourth straight year despite no wins.

On October 6, Larson ended his 75-race winless streak at Dover. The win secured him into the Round of 8. During the Talladega fall race, Larson was involved in a multi-car wreck on lap 108 that left him with a fractured lower rib. Despite a 4th-place finish at Phoenix, Larson failed to make the Championship 4. He finished the season sixth in the points standings, his career-best to date.

#### 2020 and suspension

Larson began the season with a tenth-place finish at the 2020 Daytona 500. During the Auto Club 400, Larson got turned into the turn 1 wall by Denny Hamlin, relegating him to a 21st-place finish. When the season was placed on hold after four races due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Larson was seventh in the points standings with 2 top 10's and 1 top 5 finish.

On April 13, 2020, Larson was indefinitely suspended by Chip Ganassi Racing without pay after he used a racial slur during an iRacing event the day before. Shortly after Ganassi's announcement, NASCAR also suspended Larson indefinitely and ordered him to complete sensitivity training before he is allowed to race again. Larson would also be suspended by the World of Outlaws, but his suspension had lifted prior to their return to racing. Multiple corporations such as McDonald's, Credit One Bank, and Chevrolet also terminated their sponsorship of Larson. The following day, CGR fired Larson. Matt Kenseth took over the No. 42 car for the rest of the 2020 season.

In October 2020, after months of inactivity on social media, Larson posted an essay on his website, apologizing for using the slur and denying that it was representative of who he was. In the statement, Larson said that when racing overseas, he encountered people who used the word regularly. He accepted accountability for his actions, including his suspension and dismissal from CGR, and said that although he finished the sensitivity training, he did more than what was required of him to change his behavior; for instance, he went to Minnesota after George Floyd was murdered and participated in a variety of classes to learn more on the African-American community.

The statement also said that some of the people in his career, including Ganassi, kept in touch with him during his rehabilitation which convinced him to have hope in saving his career. Larson also said that he hopes his setback "was a lesson for everyone," and was in the process of seeking reinstatement to the Cup Series. In mid-October, it was reported that Larson officially applied for reinstatement. On the same month, it was announced that NASCAR had reinstated Larson's competition privileges effective on January 1, 2021.

#### 2021: First Cup Series Championship

On October 28, 2020, it was announced that Hendrick Motorsports signed Larson to a multi-year deal to drive the No. 5 car beginning in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. At the time of the announcement, it was also announced that the No. 5 car was not sponsored yet, though Hendrick announced that he would self-sponsor the car through his HendrickCars.com and NationsGuard companies until they found long-term sponsors. It was also announced later on that, although Hendrick normally did not allow their drivers to race anywhere other than their NASCAR team, the team negotiated a clause in the contract allowing Larson to continue racing dirt races, provided that he focused primarily on the Cup program.

Larson began his 2021 season with a 10th-place finish at the 2021 Daytona 500. At Las Vegas, Larson scored his first win with HMS after he led 103 of 267 laps. He had finished second nine times on 1.5-mile tracks prior to his victory.

On May 30, Larson won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. Larson's victory was also the 269th career Cup victory for Hendrick Motorsports, surpassing Petty Enterprises for the most Cup victories as a race team in NASCAR history. One week later, Larson scored his first road course win at Sonoma. On June 13, Larson won the 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas, becoming the 9th driver to win the All-Star Race more than once. He also became the 8th driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the Coca-Cola 600 and the All-Star race in the same season. At Nashville, Larson scored his third consecutive win (All-Star races, as they are not points-paying, are not included).

On the final lap at Pocono doubleheader race 1, Larson was on the verge of a 4th consecutive win until the left front tire went down that caused his car to hit the turn 3 wall and his teammate Alex Bowman won the race while Larson finished 9th. The next day, despite resorting to a backup car as a result of the incident, Larson rebounded to finish 2nd to eventual winner Kyle Busch after a fuel gamble.

At Watkins Glen, Larson scored his 5th victory of the 2021 season, a career-high. After the Watkins Glen race, Larson and Denny Hamlin were tied for the points lead in the regular season standings. Following the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400, Larson clinched the regular season championship.

In the first round of the playoffs, Larson finished 2nd to Hamlin at Darlington and followed up with a 6th-place finish at Richmond. At Bristol night race, Larson won his 6th race of the season over Kevin Harvick. His win would somewhat be overshadowed by an altercation between Harvick and Chase Elliott after the race due to an on-track incident.

At Charlotte Roval, Larson scored his 7th win of the season after overcoming electrical issues. He became the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win three different road courses in the same season and also became the first driver since Kasey Kahne in 2006 to sweep both Charlotte races.

In the third round of the playoffs, Larson scored his 8th win of the season at Texas to secure a spot into the Championship 4. A week later at Kansas, he scored his 9th win of the season and became the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to win three straight races twice in the same season.

In the Championship 4 at Phoenix, Larson started on the pole and led 107 laps en route to his 10th win of the season and his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. He became the first driver to have 10 wins and a championship in the same season since Jimmie Johnson did it in 2007 season. Larson ended his 2021 championship season with 10 wins, 18 stage wins, 20 top fives, 26 top tens, 2,581 laps led, and an average finish of 9.1.

#### 2022

Larson began the season by starting on the pole at the 2022 Daytona 500 and finished in 32nd after he was involved in a crash at the frontstretch on lap 192. A week later, Larson rebounded with a win at Auto Club Speedway. At Sonoma, Larson's No. 5 car lost a wheel on lap 84. As a result, crew chief Cliff Daniels was suspended for four races. Kevin Meendering, who served as a crew chief for Jimmie Johnson during the 2019 season, filled in for Cliff.

At Watkins Glen, Larson took the lead away from his teammate Chase Elliott on the final restart and scored his second consecutive Watkins Glen win over A. J. Allmendinger. On September 16, 2022, HMS announced that Larson had signed a multi-year contract extension to remain with the team through 2026. Larson was eliminated following the Round of 12 after he finished 35th at Charlotte Roval.

On lap 94 at Las Vegas, Larson got wrecked by Bubba Wallace down the frontstretch after Wallace got into the wall and Christopher Bell was also involved in the crash. During the caution, Wallace confronted Larson in a shoving match. As a result, Wallace was suspended for one race. At Homestead, Larson scored his 3rd win of the season. He finished the 2022 season seventh in the points standings.

#### 2023

Larson began the season with a DNF at the 2023 Daytona 500. On March 15, 2023, the No. 5 was served an L2 penalty after an unapproved hood louver was found installed on the car during a pre-race inspection at Phoenix. As a result, the team was docked 100 driver and owner points and 10 playoff points. In addition, crew chief Cliff Daniels was suspended for four races and fined US$ 100,000. On March 29, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel amended the penalty, upholding the fine and Daniels' suspension, but the No. 5 team has restored the owner, driver, and playoff points.

Larson scored his 20th career Cup Series win at Richmond. Two weeks later, he won at Martinsville and it was also the first win for the No. 5 car at that track since 1984. Larson won the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race, tied Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon as a three-time All-Star winner and the only driver to win the All-Star race on 3 different race tracks (Charlotte, Texas & North Wilkesboro).

Larson won the Southern 500 at Darlington to clinch a spot into the Round of 12. It is also the 500th overall win by Hendrick Motorsports' engine department. At Las Vegas, Larson scored his 4th win of the season to make the Championship 4. Following the season finale at Phoenix, he finished the 2023 season second in the points standings.

#### 2024

Larson started the 2024 season with an 11th-place finish at the 2024 Daytona 500. Two weeks later, Larson scored his first win of the season at Las Vegas At the Kansas spring race, Larson won by 0.001 seconds over Chris Buescher, the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history. On May 26, Larson attempted to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, but due to the rain that delayed the Indy 500, he was unable to make the Charlotte race and was substituted by Justin Allgaier who finished 13th. Despite missing the Coke 600 race, Larson was granted a waiver to maintain his playoff eligibility.

At Sonoma, Larson scored his 26th career win that tied him with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Fred Lorenzen on the all-time wins record list in the Cup Series. The victory also made Larson the 10th driver in NASCAR Cup history to win five road course races. On July 21, Larson won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.

### Open-wheel career

#### Dirt car racing

Larson owned a World of Outlaws sprint car team named Kyle Larson Racing that fielded a car for Carson Macedo. He acquired full ownership of the team, formerly named Larson Marks Racing, after the 2017 season. The team closed following the 2020 season due to COVID-19 pandemic and other issues. He drives for his own team (midgets) and Paul Silva (winged sprint car) on a limited schedule.

On January 18, 2020, Larson won his first Chili Bowl after he held off 3-time winner Christopher Bell. On May 5, It was announced that Larson will compete in the World of Outlaws at Knoxville Raceway beginning in the spring after a suspension and subsequent reinstatement to the series. At Knoxville, Larson finished 10th. Two weeks later at Federated Auto Parts Raceway, Larson set a qualifying lap time of 9.995 seconds, the first sub-ten-second time in track history. After finishing second to brother-in-law Brad Sweet in the friday feature, Larson held off Brent Marks and Sweet in the saturday event to score his first World of Outlaws victory since suspension.

Larson joined the USAC series for the 2020 Indiana Midget Week in June. He won all six races in the Hoosier state, as well as the championship. Larson continued to win in nine straight sprint car features. On June 25, 2020, Larson competed in the full Pennsylvania Speedweek for 410 Sprint cars. Larson won at Grandview Speedway after he made a pass on Freddie Rahmer with two laps remaining. Larson picked up his second win that same week, leading the led the entire race at Hagerstown.

On July 3, Larson won the Mitch Smith Memorial at Williams Grove Speedway. The following night, he won again in the final event at Port Royal Speedway. Larson won the Pennsylvania Speedweek title with four wins and three podiums. Larson competed in the All Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars at Knoxville Raceway where he set a series record and scored his seventh consecutive win. Following the 2020 season, Larson was named the 410 Sprint Car Driver of the Year.

After a test at Cherokee Speedway in August 2020, Larson announced he would be making his debut in a dirt late model at Port Royal Speedway in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for owner Kevin Rumley. After finishing 5th in the first night of the event, Larson led flag-to-flag in the second night's race to win in his second dirt late model start.

On October 18, Larson won the USAC Silver Crown Series finale at the Springfield Mile to take his 42nd feature win of the season. On October 27, it was announced that Larson would make his World of Outlaws Late Model Series debut at Charlotte. He competed the final two races of the season on The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway where he set a new track record in qualifying and finished 8th.

Following his reinstatement by NASCAR and signing with Hendrick Motorsports in October 2020, Larson noted in an interview with The Dale Jr. Download that he would be permitted to continue dirt racing, in addition to the Cup Series, provided the latter be his primary commitment.

On January 16, 2021, Larson won his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals. A week later, Larson raced in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series' Winternationals for dirt late models where he won the season-opener at All-Tech Raceway. Larson won the third annual BC39 race against 74 USAC National Midgets on the dirt track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Larson won the Knoxville Nationals three times in 2021, 2023, and 2024, becoming the eighth multi-time winner as well as the eighth back-to-back winner of the event.

#### Indy car racing

On January 12, 2023, it was announced that Larson would attempt to qualify for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports. After a rain-delayed start of the race, Larson started fifth and ran among the leading cars until he was caught penalized for speeding on pit lane and finished in 18th. The rain delay impacted Larson's tight schedule, causing him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Larson was named the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.

### Other racing

On January 4, 2014, Chip Ganassi Racing announced that Larson would enter the 24 Hours of Daytona in the No. 02 car alongside Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Marino Franchitti. During the press conference, Larson stated, "You grow up watching the NASCAR guys then you're like, ‘wow’ when you meet them. And then watching the guys in different series there's a 'wow' factor to meeting them and working with them." In his Rolex 24 debut, Larson's car stalled and received a speeding penalty, but finished his stint with a fifth-place finish.

Larson returned in the No. 02 Ford Daytona Prototype for the 2015 event along with Chip Ganassi Racing teammates from IndyCar Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan and NASCAR Jamie McMurray. The team ultimately won the race.

In 2016, Larson once again returned for the 24 Hours of Daytona in the Ford EcoBoost Daytona Prototype for Chip Ganassi Racing. The team consisted of the same drivers from the 2015 winning car but ran into issues with brake failures plaguing the team throughout the race.

## In popular media

Larson made a cameo appearance as a limo driver in the 2017 film Logan Lucky.

## Personal life

Larson's mother is Japanese American and her parents spent time in a Japanese internment camp. Larson's wife is Katelyn Sweet, the sister of former World Of Outlaws Sprint Car Series driver and NASCAR driver Brad Sweet. Larson announced on June 13, 2014, that he and his girlfriend were expecting their first child. On July 16, Larson announced that the baby was a boy. Owen Miyata Larson was born on December 22, 2014. On November 8, 2017, Larson announced on social media that he and Katelyn were expecting a second child, due in May 2018. Audrey Layne Larson was born in 2018. On December 22, 2017, Larson and Sweet became engaged, and they were married on September 26, 2018. On December 31, 2022, Larson and Katelyn’s third child Cooper Donald Larson was born.

## Motorsports career results

### NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

#### Cup Series

#### Craftsman Truck Series

Season still in progress Ineligible for series points

### ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

#### CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

### Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

### American open-wheel results

#### IndyCar Series

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)


# List of countries by system of government

## Abstract

This is a list of sovereign states by constitutionally-defined de jure system of government. This list does not measure the degree of democracy, political corruption, or state capacity of governments.

## Parliamentary systems

### Constitutional monarchies

These are systems in which the head of state is a constitutional monarch; the existence of their office and their ability to exercise their authority is established and restrained by constitutional law.

Systems in which a prime minister is the active head of the executive branch of government. In some cases, the prime minister is also the leader of the legislature, while in other cases the executive branch is clearly separated from legislature (although the entire cabinet or individual ministers must step down in the case of a vote of no confidence). The head of state is a monarch who normally only exercises their powers with the consent of the government, the people and/or their representatives (except in emergencies, e.g. a constitutional crisis or a political deadlock).

- Andorra

- Antigua and Barbuda

- Australia

- Bahamas

- Belgium

- Belize

- Cambodia

- Canada

- Cook Islands

- Denmark

- Grenada

- Jamaica

- Japan

- Lesotho

- Luxembourg

- Malaysia

- Netherlands

- New Zealand

- Niue

- Norway

- Papua New Guinea

- Saint Kitts and Nevis

- Saint Lucia

- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

- Solomon Islands

- Spain

- Sweden

- Thailand

- Tuvalu

- United Kingdom

### Parliamentary republics

In a parliamentary republic, the head of government is selected or nominated by the legislature and is also accountable to it. The head of state is usually called a president and (in full parliamentary republics) is separate from the head of government, serving a largely apolitical, ceremonial role. In these systems, the head of government is usually called the prime minister, chancellor or premier. In mixed republican systems and directorial republican systems, the head of government also serves as head of state and is usually titled president.

In some full parliamentary systems, the head of state is directly elected by voters. Under other classification systems, however, these systems may instead be classed as semi-presidential systems as presidents are always attached to a political party and may have broad powers (despite their weak presidency). Full parliamentary republican systems with presidents being purely ceremonial and neutral with no broad powers usually do not have a directly elected head of state and instead often use either an electoral college or a vote in the legislature to appoint the president.

#### Parliamentary republics with directly elected ceremonial heads of state

- Bosnia and Herzegovina

- Bulgaria

- Croatia

- Czech Republic

- Finland

- Iceland

- Ireland

- Moldova

- Montenegro

- North Macedonia

- Serbia

- Singapore

- Slovakia

- Slovenia

#### Parliamentary republics with indirectly elected ceremonial heads of state

- Albania

- Armenia

- Barbados

- Dominica

- Estonia

- Ethiopia

- Fiji

- Georgia

- Germany

- Greece

- Hungary

- India

- Iraq

- Israel

- Italy

- Kosovo

- Latvia

- Lebanon

- Malta

- Mauritius

- Nepal

- Pakistan

- Samoa

- San Marino

- Somalia

- Trinidad and Tobago

- Vanuatu

Non-UN members or observers are in italics.

#### Parliamentary republics with an executive president

A combined head of state and head of government in the form of an executive president is either elected by the legislature or by the voters from among candidates nominated by the legislature (in the case of Kiribati), and they must maintain the confidence of the legislature to remain in office. In effect, "presidents" in this system function the same as prime ministers do in other parliamentary systems.

- Botswana

- Guyana

- Kiribati

- Marshall Islands

- Nauru

- South Africa

## Presidential systems

In presidential systems a president is the head of government, and is elected and remains in office independently of the legislature. There is generally no prime minister, although if one exists, in most cases they serve purely at the discretion of the president.

### Presidential republics without a prime minister

- Angola

- Argentina

- Benin

- Bolivia

- Brazil

- Chile

- Colombia

- Comoros

- Costa Rica

- Cyprus

- Dominican Republic

- Ecuador

- El Salvador

- Gambia, The

- Ghana

- Guatemala

- Honduras

- Indonesia

- Liberia

- Malawi

- Maldives

- Mexico

- Nicaragua

- Nigeria

- Palau

- Panama

- Paraguay

- Philippines

- Seychelles

- Somaliland

- Turkey

- Turkmenistan

- United States

- Uruguay

- Venezuela

- Zambia

- Zimbabwe

Non-UN members or observers are in italics.

### Presidential republics with a prime minister

The following countries have presidential systems where a post of prime minister (official title may vary) exists alongside that of the president. The president is still both the head of state and government and the prime minister's roles are mostly to assist the president.

- Abkhazia

- Burundi

- Cameroon

- Central African Republic

- Djibouti

- Equatorial Guinea

- Ivory Coast

- Kenya (see Prime Cabinet Secretary)

- Kyrgyzstan

- Rwanda

- Senegal

- Sierra Leone (see Chief minister)

- South Korea

- Syria

- Tajikistan

- Tanzania

- Togo

- Tunisia

- Transnistria

- Uganda

Non-UN members or observers are in italics.

## Hybrid systems

### Semi-presidential republics

In a semi-presidential republic a president exists alongside a prime minister and a cabinet, with the latter two being responsible to the legislature. It differs from a parliamentary system in that it has an executive president independent from legislature; and from the presidential system in that the cabinet, although named by the president, is responsible to the legislature, which may force the cabinet to resign through a motion of no confidence.

#### Premier-presidential systems

In a premier-presidential system the prime minister and cabinet are exclusively accountable to the legislature.

- Algeria

- Cape Verde

- Congo, Democratic Republic of the

- East Timor

- Egypt

- France

- Lithuania

- Madagascar

- Mongolia

- Northern Cyprus

- Poland

- Portugal

- Romania

- São Tomé and Príncipe

- Sri Lanka

- Ukraine

Non-UN members or observers are in italics.

#### President-parliamentary systems

In a president-parliamentary system the prime minister and cabinet are dually accountable to the president and the legislature.

- Austria

- Azerbaijan

- Belarus

- Chad

- Congo, Republic of the

- Guinea-Bissau

- Kazakhstan

- Mauritania

- Mozambique

- Namibia

- Peru

- Russia

- South Ossetia

- Taiwan

- Uzbekistan

Non-UN members or observers are in italics.

### Assembly-independent republics

A combined head of state and head of government (usually titled president) is elected by the legislature but is not held accountable to it (as is their cabinet), thus acting more independently from the legislature. They may or may not also hold a seat in the legislature.

- Federated States of Micronesia

- Suriname

#### Directorial republic

In a directorial republic, a council jointly exercises the powers and ceremonial roles of both the head of state and head of government collectively. The council is elected by the parliament, but is not subject to parliamentary confidence during its fixed term. The president is a member of the directorial council in a primus inter pares (first among equals) capacity and has no powers over other members of the directory.

- Switzerland

## Theocratic republic

- Iran combines the forms of a presidential republic, with a president elected by universal suffrage, and a theocracy, with a Supreme Leader who is ultimately responsible for state policy, chosen for life by the elected Assembly of Experts. Candidates for both the Assembly of Experts and the presidency are vetted by the appointed Guardian Council.

## Semi-constitutional monarchies

The prime minister is the nation's active executive, but the monarch still has considerable political powers that can be used at their own discretion.

- Bahrain

- Bhutan

- Jordan

- Kuwait

- Liechtenstein

- Monaco

- Morocco

- Qatar

- Tonga

- United Arab Emirates

## Absolute monarchies

Specifically, monarchies in which the monarch's exercise of power is unconstrained by any substantive constitutional law. The monarch acts as both head of state and head of government.

- Brunei

- Eswatini

- Oman

- Saudi Arabia

- Vatican City

## One-party states

States in which political power is by law concentrated within one political party whose operations are largely fused with the government hierarchy (in contrast to states where a multi-party system formally exists, but this fusion is achieved anyway through election fraud or underdeveloped multi-party traditions).

- China (Communist Party leads eight minor political parties) (list)

- Cuba (Communist Party) (list)

- Eritrea (People's Front for Democracy and Justice) (list)

- North Korea (Workers' Party leads two minor parties) (list)

- Laos (People's Revolutionary Party leads the Front for National Construction) (list)

- Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Polisario Front)

- Vietnam (Communist Party leads the Fatherland Front) (list)

Non-UN members or observers are in italics.

## Military juntas

A committee of the nation's military leaders controls the government for the duration of a state of emergency. Constitutional provisions for government are suspended in these states; constitutional forms of government are stated in parentheses.

- Burkina Faso (semi-presidential republic)

- Gabon (presidential republic)

- Guinea (presidential republic)

- Mali (presidential republic)

- Myanmar (assembly-independent republic)

- Niger (semi-presidential republic)

- Sudan (presidential republic)

## Provisional governments

States that have a system of government that is in transition or turmoil. These regimes lack a constitutional basis.

- Afghanistan, Islamic Emirate of

- Bangladesh

- Haiti

- Libya

- Palestine

- South Sudan

- Yemen

Non-UN members or observers are in italics.

## Systems of internal structure

### Unitary states

A state governed as a single power in which the central government is ultimately supreme and any administrative divisions (sub-national units) exercise only the powers that the central government chooses to delegate. The majority of states in the world have a unitary system of government. Of the 193 UN member states, 126 are governed as centralized unitary states, and an additional 40 are regionalized unitary states.

#### Centralized unitary states

States in which most power is exercised by the central government. What local authorities do exist have few powers.

#### Regionalized unitary states

States in which the central government has delegated some of its powers to regional authorities, but where constitutional authority ultimately remains entirely at a national level.

- Azerbaijan (59 districts, and 1 autonomous republic)

- Bolivia (9 departments)

- Chile (16 regions)

- People's Republic of China (22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 province-level municipalities, 2 special administrative regions, and 1 claimed province)

- Colombia (34 departments, and 1 capital district)

- Côte d'Ivoire (14 autonomous districts)

- Denmark (5 regions, and 2 self-governing territories)

- Finland (19 regions, and Åland)

- France (18 regions, of which 5 are overseas regions)

- Georgia (9 regions, and 2 autonomous republics)

- Greece (7 decentralized administrations, and 1 autonomous monastic state)

- Indonesia (38 provinces, of which 9 have special status)

- Israel (6 districts, Judea and Samaria Area)

- Italy (20 regions, of which 5 are autonomous)

- Japan (47 prefectures)

- Kazakhstan (17 regions, 3 cities with region rights)

- Kenya (47 counties)

- Kingdom of the Netherlands (4 constituent countries)

- Mauritania (15 regions)

- Moldova (32 districts, 3 municipalities, and 2 autonomous territorial units)

- New Zealand (16 regions, 1 self-administering territory, and 2 states in free association)

- Nicaragua (15 departments, 2 autonomous regions)

- Norway (10 counties, 1 autonomous city, 2 integral overseas areas, 3 dependencies)

- Papua New Guinea (20 provinces, 1 autonomous region, and 1 national capital district)

- Peru (25 regions, and 1 province)

- Philippines (one autonomous region subdivided into 5 provinces and 113 other provinces and independent cities grouped into 17 other non-autonomous regions)

- Poland (16 voivodeships)

- Portugal (18 districts, and 2 autonomous regions)

- São Tomé and Príncipe (6 districts, and Príncipe)

- Serbia (29 districts, 2 autonomous provinces (one of which is a partially recognized de facto independent state), and 1 autonomous city)

- Solomon Islands (9 provinces, and 1 capital territory)

- South Africa (9 provinces)

- South Korea (8 provinces, 6 special cities, and 1 autonomous province)

- Spain (17 autonomous communities, 15 communities of common-regime, 1 community of chartered regime, 3 chartered provinces, 2 autonomous cities)

- Sri Lanka (9 provinces)

- Tajikistan (3 regions, 1 autonomous region, and 1 capital city)

- Tanzania (21 regions, and Zanzibar)

- Trinidad and Tobago (9 regions, 1 autonomous island, 3 boroughs, and 2 cities)

- Ukraine (24 oblasts, 2 cities with special status, and Crimea)

- United Kingdom (4 countries – England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, of which 3 have devolved governments – Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales)

- Uzbekistan (3 regions, 1 autonomous republic, and 1 independent city)

### Federation

States in which the national government shares power with regional governments with which it has legal or constitutional parity. The central government may or may not be (in theory) a creation of the regional governments.

- Argentina (23 provinces and one autonomous city)

- Australia (six states and ten territories)

- Austria (nine states)

- Belgium (three regions and three linguistic communities)

- Bosnia and Herzegovina (two entities and one district that is a condominium of the two entities)

- Brazil (26 states and the Federal District)

- Canada (ten provinces and three territories)

- Comoros (Anjouan, Grande Comore, and Mohéli)

- Ethiopia (10 regions and 2 chartered cities)

- Germany (16 states)

- India (28 states and 8 union territories)

- Iraq (18 governorates and one region: Kurdistan)

- Malaysia (13 states and three federal territories)

- Mexico (32 states)

- Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap)

- Nepal (seven provinces)

- Nigeria (36 states and one federal territory: Federal Capital Territory)

- Pakistan (4 provinces, 2 autonomous territories and 1 federal territory)

- Russia (46 oblasts, 21 republics, nine krais, four autonomous okrugs, two federal cities, one autonomous oblast)

- Saint Kitts and Nevis (Saint Kitts, Nevis)

- Somalia (six federal member states)

- South Sudan (ten states)

- Sudan (17 states)

- Switzerland (26 cantons)

- United Arab Emirates (seven emirates)

- United States (50 states, one incorporated territory, and one federal district: District of Columbia)

- Venezuela (23 states, one capital district, and the Federal Dependencies of Venezuela)

## European Union

The exact political character of the European Union is debated, some arguing that it is sui generis (unique), but others arguing that it has features of a federation or a confederation. It has elements of intergovernmentalism, with the European Council acting as its collective "president", and also elements of supranationalism, with the European Commission acting as its executive and bureaucracy.


Cinemax

# Cinemax

## Abstract

Cinemax, also known as Max, is an American pay television network owned by Home Box Office, Inc., a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched on August 1, 1980, as a "maxi-pay" service to complement the offerings of its parent network, Home Box Office (HBO), Cinemax initially focused on recent and classic films. Today, its programming primarily includes recent and classic theatrically released films, original action series, documentaries, and special behind-the-scenes features.

It operates eight 24-hour linear channels and offers a traditional subscription video-on-demand service called Cinemax On Demand. Cinemax previously provided a TV Everywhere streaming platform, Cinemax Go, which is no longer available. However, its linear channels are accessible through multichannel video programming distributors such as Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Roku.

## History

Home Box Office, Inc., owned by Time Inc. 's Time-Life Broadcasting unit, launched a movie-centered pay service called Take 2 on April 1, 1979, as a companion to HBO. However, Take 2 struggled with subscriber growth and was discontinued in February 1981. HBO then announced the launch of Cinemax, a "maxi-pay" channel designed to complement HBO and compete with other movie channels. Cinemax debuted on August 1, 1980, focusing on theatrical films with no commercials or edits for content.

Cinemax initially aired on 56 cable systems in the Eastern and Central time zones, with a West Coast feed launching on September 1, 1980. The channel transitioned to a 24-hour schedule on January 1, 1981. Cinemax offered uncut films and was marketed as a premium addition to HBO, often bundled with HBO for a discount.

In October 1983, Cinemax faced a trademark infringement lawsuit from Tulsa 23 Limited Partnership over its promotional slogan, "We Are Your Movie Star." The court ruled in favor of Tulsa 23, and Cinemax was ordered to discontinue the slogan.

As competition increased, Cinemax adjusted its programming strategy by including more adult-oriented films and launching the "Friday After Dark" late-night block in 1984. The channel also introduced original music programming and series, including Second City Television and The Max Headroom Show. In February 1988, the network premiere of Lethal Weapon became one of Cinemax's highest-rated broadcasts.

On March 4, 1989, Warner Communications announced its intent to merge with HBO's parent company, Time Inc., for $14.9 billion. Despite legal challenges from Paramount Communications, the merger was completed on January 10, 1990, creating Time Warner (later WarnerMedia, now Warner Bros. Discovery), which remains the parent company of Cinemax and HBO.

In August 1991, Cinemax, along with HBO, was among the first American pay TV services to introduce multiplexed channels. Starting in 1992, Cinemax reintroduced television series development with adult-oriented scripted series, such as Erotic Confessions, Hot Line, Passion Cove, Lingerie, and Co-Ed Confidential.

From 1992 to 1997, Cinemax featured daily movie showcases centered on specific genres, identified by pictograms. This practice ended in September 1997, with Cinemax adopting a simplified branding strategy that included "Max Hits at 8" and "Max Prime at 10."

On March 1, 1994, Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, and The Movie Channel introduced a content advisory system to inform viewers about program content. A revised system with content codes was implemented on June 10, 1994.

In 1998, Cinemax began offering "sneak preview" blocks for its multiplex channels, ActionMax and ThrillerMax. Classic films, once a staple of the Cinemax schedule, were increasingly featured on multiplex channels like 5StarMax. By the mid-2000s, the main channel's programming focused on films from the 1990s to the present.

In 2001, Cinemax began premiering select blockbuster and lesser-known films before their HBO debut. In February 2011, Cinemax shifted its focus to original programming, launching action-themed series to compete with other premium and streaming services, and to rebrand its image from being primarily known for softcore pornographic content.

Following AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner in 2018, Cinemax's focus shifted significantly. Adult programming on Cinemax and HBO's multiplexes, as well as on-demand services, nearly disappeared due to increased availability of such content online and competition from other providers.

Cinemax, maybe moreso than HBO, is responsible for being the first promoter of many major motion picture releases. A majority of hit blockbuster movies got their first behind-the-scenes featurettes on Cinemax, and would be promoted on this show, including, as the first version of this show from the mid-80s, Sudden Impact, A View to a Kill, Code of Silence, Invasion USA, The Delta Force, and as Beyond the Screen, Licence to Kill, New York Stories, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Godfather Part III, Delta Force 2, GoodFellas (which premiered on the network, not HBO, and was always on Cinemax, never HBO; ironically, The Sopranos modeled themselves after the movie, despite the movie being a Cinemax staple), The Hitman, Boyz n the Hood, Juice, Batman Returns,, Singles, Menace II Society, Fresh, Clerks, Batman Forever, New Jersey Drive, Friday, GoldenEye, The Cure, Feeling Minnesota, Ransom, Home Alone 3, and The Devil's Advocate among many others. Most of the movies mentioned in the previous sentences made their network premiere on Cinemax, not HBO. Examples in the modern day include The Virgin Suicides, the original Matrix, and the John Wick franchise.

In January 2020, WarnerMedia announced that with the upcoming launch of HBO Max, Cinemax would cease commissioning original programming but would continue as a movie-focused service through existing distributors. Cinemax's original programming, although available internationally, was not included in HBO Max. Len Amato, the executive overseeing Cinemax and HBO's film and miniseries division, left WarnerMedia on August 14, 2020, marking the end of Cinemax's original programming efforts.

On May 17, 2021, AT&T and Discovery, Inc. announced a Reverse Morris Trust agreement, wherein WarnerMedia would spin-off from AT&T and merge with Discovery for $43 billion. This merger, completed in spring 2022, resulted in the formation of Warner Bros. Discovery, led by David Zaslav. On May 23, 2023, the merged company's streaming service was rebranded as Max.

## Channels

On May 8, 1991, Home Box Office Inc. announced plans to launch multiplexed companion channels for HBO and Cinemax, offering additional programming options at no extra charge. The test launch on August 1, 1991, introduced Cinemax 2, HBO2, and HBO3 (now HBO Signature) to select TeleCable customers, providing distinct programming from their parent channels. John K. Billock, HBO’s EVP of marketing, cited subscriber dissatisfaction with program scheduling as a reason for the multiplex expansion. A November 1991 ACNielsen survey showed positive impacts from the multiplex channels, including reduced negative opinions on pricing and improved overall usage.

In February 1996, Home Box Office announced plans to expand to twelve channels, including two additional Cinemax channels and a fourth HBO channel, projected for a Spring 1997 launch. The Cinemax multiplex expanded on December 1, 1996, with the launch of Cinemax 3, and the introduction of Mountain Time Zone feeds.

The Cinemax multiplex was marketed as "MultiChannel Cinemax" in September 1994, rebranded to "MultiMax" in April 1998, and later applied to the expanded four-channel package. This included MoreMax (formerly Cinemax 2), ActionMax (formerly Cinemax 3), and the new ThrillerMax channel.

On May 17, 2001, four additional themed channels were launched: OuterMax, WMax (later MovieMax), @Max (later Max Latino), and 5StarMax. Max Latino was rebranded as Cinemáx on April 1, 2015, mirroring the flagship Cinemax schedule with Spanish-language dubs. MovieMax started as a family-oriented channel and now focuses on recent and classic movies.

### List of channels

Cinemax offers up to eight 24-hour multiplex channels, available in both standard and high definition, with regional feeds based on time zones. These channels include a subscription video-on-demand service, Cinemax on Demand. Maintenance periods, ranging from 30 minutes to two hours, occur monthly during early morning hours before the 6:00 a.m. ET/PT start of the broadcast day.

Cinemax transmits its channels on both Eastern and Pacific Time Zone schedules. The time zone-based feeds are usually packaged together, resulting in a maximum three-hour difference in local airtimes between geographic locations. The opposite-region feed serves as a timeshift channel, allowing viewers to watch programs up to three hours later or four hours earlier than their local airtime. While most providers offer only the East and West Coast feeds of the main Cinemax channel, timeshifted feeds for other multiplex channels are available on platforms like DirecTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu live TV.

### Other services

#### Cinemax HD

Cinemax HD broadcasts in 1080i resolution with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Cinemax provides high definition simulcast feeds for its main channel and all seven multiplex channels. Initially, from the 2008 rollout of HD simulcasts for the multiplex feeds, most pay television providers only offered the main Cinemax channel in HD, with HD availability for multiplex channels varying by market. As of 2020, most providers offer all eight Cinemax multiplex channels in HD, either on a dedicated HD channel tier or as hybrid SD/HD feeds. The flagship network switched to exclusive high definition programming on September 1, 2008.

#### Cinemax On Demand

Cinemax On Demand is the network’s companion subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, available at no extra charge to subscribers of the linear television service. Launched in 2002, it offers VOD content through select virtual MVPD services such as DirecTV Stream and Hulu, as well as on Cinemax’s dedicated OTT video channels via Apple TV Channels, Amazon Video Channels, and The Roku Channel.

#### Cinemax Go

Cinemax Go (formerly MAX Go) was a TV Everywhere streaming service for Cinemax subscribers, available as a desktop website and through apps for Apple and Google Play devices, as well as most digital media players and game consoles. Launched on September 13, 2010, it mirrored the content of Cinemax On Demand, excluding live simulcasts of the linear channels. New episodes of the network's original programming were available at the same time as their wireline release.

The service was available to subscribers of AT&T U-verse, Cox Communications, DirecTV, Dish Network, Suddenlink Communications, and Charter Communications. The MAX Go app was discontinued on April 30, 2020, and the desktop website, renamed Cinemax Go, continued until July 31, 2022. The service was phased out as Warner Bros. Discovery consolidated its streaming efforts under HBO Max, rebranded as Max on May 23, 2023.

## Programming

Cinemax schedules movies for 20-24 hours daily on its main channel and 24 hours on its multiplex channels. Since June 2000, new theatrical and original movies have premiered every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. First-run films typically debut 10 months to a year after their theatrical release and within six months of DVD or VOD release.

### Original programming

On August 12, 2011, Cinemax expanded into original programming with the U.S. premiere of the British action series Strike Back. The series, which had originally aired in the UK, was produced in partnership with HBO. Cinemax's second original series, Hunted, premiered on October 19, 2012, in collaboration with BBC One. This was followed by Banshee in 2013, and in 2014, Sandbox and The Knick.

In 2020, Cinemax announced it would stop commissioning original programming to focus on HBO Max. The martial arts drama Warrior was the last original series on Cinemax, with its third season moving to HBO Max in April 2021.

#### Former program blocks

- Drive-In Saturday Night – Running Saturday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time from 1984 to 1993 (competing against a similar block, "Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater" on The Movie Channel, during that period), the "Drive-In Saturday Night" block featured a broad mix of cult films and action movies.

- Cinemax Comic Relief – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1985 to 1988, showcasing a selection of four or five different comedy films each month.

- Cinemax Comedy Experiment – Running from February 16, 1985, to 1988, the "Cinemax Comedy Experiment" was a showcase of original comedy specials that were more free-form in style (some featuring elements of the sketch comedy and improv genre) than the conventional stand-up format (such as the first special under the banner, Howie Mandel: Live at Carnegie Mall).

- Rising Star – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1985 to 1986, showcasing feature films from up-and-coming actors.

- Cinemax Film Discovery – This film block ran in varied primetime timeslots from 1985 to 1990, showcasing feature films not previously seen on television or in wide theatrical release.

- Military Max – Running from 1985 to 1988, this showcase featured a mix of four or five different military-themed feature films (most commonly war films, although with occasional broadcasts of military-themed films of other genres).

- Cinemax Director's Chair – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1985 to 1993, showcasing a selection of notable films from an acclaimed director.

- Beyond the Screen - This in-between bumper shows behind the scene looks of an upcoming movie or a movie that will soon be aired on Cinemax.

- Cinemax Western Roundup – Running from 1985 to 1993, this weekend block featured a mix of film westerns.

- Cinemania – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1993, showcasing a selection of comedic films.

- Cinemax Classic Collection – Running from 1985 to 1993, this block showcased a selection of film classics from the 1930s to the 1960s.

- Cinemax From the Heart – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1993, showcasing a selection of romantic comedies and dramas.

- Vanguard Cinema – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1993, showcasing a selection of critically acclaimed films from the United States and abroad (the block was divided into three sub-blocks: "Cinemax Documentary", featuring first-run documentary films; "New Wave Films", featuring acclaimed recent movies; and "Cinemax Imports", originally a standalone block that began in 1985, which showcased film releases from other countries).

- Max Crime Time – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1997, showcasing a selection of crime dramas, detective films or film noirs.

- Starring... – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1997, showcasing a selection of hits as well as some early films from a particular film actor throughout the month.

- Summer of 1000 Movies – "The Summer of 1000 Movies" annual film festival ran from 1992 to 2005, and ran until the mid-2000s, in which the channel ran 1,000 films (many with a similar subject) over the course of each summer without repeats.

- Max Hits at 8 – Running from 1997 to 2001, this block showcased a popular feature film each night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

- Max Prime at 10/Max Time – Debuting in 1997 under the "Max Prime" banner, this block showcased a particular choice movie of various genres each night at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or on weeknights only between 1998 and 2000, as a result of the creation of the "ActionMax on Cinemax" and "ThrillerMax on Cinemax" blocks).

#### Max After Dark

Cinemax's late-night block, Max After Dark, featured softcore pornographic films and original series with TV-MA or R ratings, primarily for strong sexual content and nudity. This block, which began on May 4, 1984, as "Cinemax Friday After Dark," expanded to seven nights a week by the late 1990s. Programs included Lingerie, Life on Top, Femme Fatales, and Topless Prophet. The block was known for its lenient scheduling around mainstream films and series and was often humorously referred to as "Skinemax."

The adult content was not limited to the main Cinemax channel but also aired on multiplex channels like MoreMax, ActionMax, ThrillerMax, and OuterMax. However, channels like MovieMax and 5StarMax avoided adult programming. The block's presence, alongside other HBO channels, was partly due to the FCC’s content regulations not applying to cable networks.

By 2013, Cinemax began reducing Max After Dark content to focus more on original programming, as internet porn's prevalence made the block's content seem relatively tame compared to HBO's original series.

## International distribution

Latin America

Cinemax launched on September 5, 1993, offering classic and recent movies, television series, and miniseries. Starting June 1, 2010, it became an ad-supported basic cable channel in the region. Original series aired on HBO's premium suite in Latin America.

Asia

Cinemax began broadcasting in 1996, featuring action, comedy, science fiction, and western movies. The channel was known as Max from 2009 to 2012.

Central Europe

Launched in February 2005, Cinemax focused on festival, indie, European, and classic films. Cinemax and Cinemax 2 are available in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, and expanded to certain Balkan countries in 2009. Initially a timeshift channel, Cinemax 2 started airing a distinct schedule from 2016.


Cinemax

# Cinemax

## Abstract

Cinemax, also known as Max, is an American pay television network owned by Home Box Office, Inc., a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched on August 1, 1980, as a "maxi-pay" service to complement the offerings of its parent network, Home Box Office (HBO), Cinemax initially focused on recent and classic films. Today, its programming primarily includes recent and classic theatrically released films, original action series, documentaries, and special behind-the-scenes features.

It operates eight 24-hour linear channels and offers a traditional subscription video-on-demand service called Cinemax On Demand. Cinemax previously provided a TV Everywhere streaming platform, Cinemax Go, which is no longer available. However, its linear channels are accessible through multichannel video programming distributors such as Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Roku.

## History

Home Box Office, Inc., owned by Time Inc. 's Time-Life Broadcasting unit, launched a movie-centered pay service called Take 2 on April 1, 1979, as a companion to HBO. However, Take 2 struggled with subscriber growth and was discontinued in February 1981. HBO then announced the launch of Cinemax, a "maxi-pay" channel designed to complement HBO and compete with other movie channels. Cinemax debuted on August 1, 1980, focusing on theatrical films with no commercials or edits for content.

Cinemax initially aired on 56 cable systems in the Eastern and Central time zones, with a West Coast feed launching on September 1, 1980. The channel transitioned to a 24-hour schedule on January 1, 1981. Cinemax offered uncut films and was marketed as a premium addition to HBO, often bundled with HBO for a discount.

In October 1983, Cinemax faced a trademark infringement lawsuit from Tulsa 23 Limited Partnership over its promotional slogan, "We Are Your Movie Star." The court ruled in favor of Tulsa 23, and Cinemax was ordered to discontinue the slogan.

As competition increased, Cinemax adjusted its programming strategy by including more adult-oriented films and launching the "Friday After Dark" late-night block in 1984. The channel also introduced original music programming and series, including Second City Television and The Max Headroom Show. In February 1988, the network premiere of Lethal Weapon became one of Cinemax's highest-rated broadcasts.

On March 4, 1989, Warner Communications announced its intent to merge with HBO's parent company, Time Inc., for $14.9 billion. Despite legal challenges from Paramount Communications, the merger was completed on January 10, 1990, creating Time Warner (later WarnerMedia, now Warner Bros. Discovery), which remains the parent company of Cinemax and HBO.

In August 1991, Cinemax, along with HBO, was among the first American pay TV services to introduce multiplexed channels. Starting in 1992, Cinemax reintroduced television series development with adult-oriented scripted series, such as Erotic Confessions, Hot Line, Passion Cove, Lingerie, and Co-Ed Confidential.

From 1992 to 1997, Cinemax featured daily movie showcases centered on specific genres, identified by pictograms. This practice ended in September 1997, with Cinemax adopting a simplified branding strategy that included "Max Hits at 8" and "Max Prime at 10."

On March 1, 1994, Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, and The Movie Channel introduced a content advisory system to inform viewers about program content. A revised system with content codes was implemented on June 10, 1994.

In 1998, Cinemax began offering "sneak preview" blocks for its multiplex channels, ActionMax and ThrillerMax. Classic films, once a staple of the Cinemax schedule, were increasingly featured on multiplex channels like 5StarMax. By the mid-2000s, the main channel's programming focused on films from the 1990s to the present.

In 2001, Cinemax began premiering select blockbuster and lesser-known films before their HBO debut. In February 2011, Cinemax shifted its focus to original programming, launching action-themed series to compete with other premium and streaming services, and to rebrand its image from being primarily known for softcore pornographic content.

Following AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner in 2018, Cinemax's focus shifted significantly. Adult programming on Cinemax and HBO's multiplexes, as well as on-demand services, nearly disappeared due to increased availability of such content online and competition from other providers.

In January 2020, WarnerMedia announced that with the upcoming launch of HBO Max, Cinemax would cease commissioning original programming but would continue as a movie-focused service through existing distributors. Cinemax's original programming, although available internationally, was not included in HBO Max. Len Amato, the executive overseeing Cinemax and HBO's film and miniseries division, left WarnerMedia on August 14, 2020, marking the end of Cinemax's original programming efforts.

On May 17, 2021, AT&T and Discovery, Inc. announced a Reverse Morris Trust agreement, wherein WarnerMedia would spin-off from AT&T and merge with Discovery for $43 billion. This merger, completed in spring 2022, resulted in the formation of Warner Bros. Discovery, led by David Zaslav. On May 23, 2023, the merged company's streaming service was rebranded as Max.

## Channels

On May 8, 1991, Home Box Office Inc. announced plans to launch multiplexed companion channels for HBO and Cinemax, offering additional programming options at no extra charge. The test launch on August 1, 1991, introduced Cinemax 2, HBO2, and HBO3 (now HBO Signature) to select TeleCable customers, providing distinct programming from their parent channels. John K. Billock, HBO’s EVP of marketing, cited subscriber dissatisfaction with program scheduling as a reason for the multiplex expansion. A November 1991 ACNielsen survey showed positive impacts from the multiplex channels, including reduced negative opinions on pricing and improved overall usage.

In February 1996, Home Box Office announced plans to expand to twelve channels, including two additional Cinemax channels and a fourth HBO channel, projected for a Spring 1997 launch. The Cinemax multiplex expanded on December 1, 1996, with the launch of Cinemax 3, and the introduction of Mountain Time Zone feeds.

The Cinemax multiplex was marketed as "MultiChannel Cinemax" in September 1994, rebranded to "MultiMax" in April 1998, and later applied to the expanded four-channel package. This included MoreMax (formerly Cinemax 2), ActionMax (formerly Cinemax 3), and the new ThrillerMax channel.

On May 17, 2001, four additional themed channels were launched: OuterMax, WMax (later MovieMax), @Max (later Max Latino), and 5StarMax. Max Latino was rebranded as Cinemáx on April 1, 2015, mirroring the flagship Cinemax schedule with Spanish-language dubs. MovieMax started as a family-oriented channel and now focuses on recent and classic movies.

### List of channels

Cinemax offers up to eight 24-hour multiplex channels, available in both standard and high definition, with regional feeds based on time zones. These channels include a subscription video-on-demand service, Cinemax on Demand. Maintenance periods, ranging from 30 minutes to two hours, occur monthly during early morning hours before the 6:00 a.m. ET/PT start of the broadcast day.

Cinemax transmits its channels on both Eastern and Pacific Time Zone schedules. The time zone-based feeds are usually packaged together, resulting in a maximum three-hour difference in local airtimes between geographic locations. The opposite-region feed serves as a timeshift channel, allowing viewers to watch programs up to three hours later or four hours earlier than their local airtime. While most providers offer only the East and West Coast feeds of the main Cinemax channel, timeshifted feeds for other multiplex channels are available on platforms like DirecTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu live TV.

### Other services

#### Cinemax HD

Cinemax HD broadcasts in 1080i resolution with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Cinemax provides high definition simulcast feeds for its main channel and all seven multiplex channels. Initially, from the 2008 rollout of HD simulcasts for the multiplex feeds, most pay television providers only offered the main Cinemax channel in HD, with HD availability for multiplex channels varying by market. As of 2020, most providers offer all eight Cinemax multiplex channels in HD, either on a dedicated HD channel tier or as hybrid SD/HD feeds. The flagship network switched to exclusive high definition programming on September 1, 2008.

#### Cinemax On Demand

Cinemax On Demand is the network’s companion subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, available at no extra charge to subscribers of the linear television service. Launched in 2002, it offers VOD content through select virtual MVPD services such as DirecTV Stream and Hulu, as well as on Cinemax’s dedicated OTT video channels via Apple TV Channels, Amazon Video Channels, and The Roku Channel.

#### Cinemax Go

Cinemax Go (formerly MAX Go) was a TV Everywhere streaming service for Cinemax subscribers, available as a desktop website and through apps for Apple and Google Play devices, as well as most digital media players and game consoles. Launched on September 13, 2010, it mirrored the content of Cinemax On Demand, excluding live simulcasts of the linear channels. New episodes of the network's original programming were available at the same time as their wireline release.

The service was available to subscribers of AT&T U-verse, Cox Communications, DirecTV, Dish Network, Suddenlink Communications, and Charter Communications. The MAX Go app was discontinued on April 30, 2020, and the desktop website, renamed Cinemax Go, continued until July 31, 2022. The service was phased out as Warner Bros. Discovery consolidated its streaming efforts under HBO Max, rebranded as Max on May 23, 2023.

## Programming

Cinemax schedules movies for 20-24 hours daily on its main channel and 24 hours on its multiplex channels. Since June 2000, new theatrical and original movies have premiered every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. First-run films typically debut 10 months to a year after their theatrical release and within six months of DVD or VOD release.

### Original programming

On August 12, 2011, Cinemax expanded into original programming with the U.S. premiere of the British action series Strike Back. The series, which had originally aired in the UK, was produced in partnership with HBO. Cinemax's second original series, Hunted, premiered on October 19, 2012, in collaboration with BBC One. This was followed by Banshee in 2013, and in 2014, Sandbox and The Knick.

In 2020, Cinemax announced it would stop commissioning original programming to focus on HBO Max. The martial arts drama Warrior was the last original series on Cinemax, with its third season moving to HBO Max in April 2021.

#### Former program blocks

- Drive-In Saturday Night – Running Saturday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time from 1984 to 1993 (competing against a similar block, "Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater" on The Movie Channel, during that period), the "Drive-In Saturday Night" block featured a broad mix of cult films and action movies.

- Cinemax Comic Relief – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1985 to 1988, showcasing a selection of four or five different comedy films each month.

- Cinemax Comedy Experiment – Running from February 16, 1985, to 1988, the "Cinemax Comedy Experiment" was a showcase of original comedy specials that were more free-form in style (some featuring elements of the sketch comedy and improv genre) than the conventional stand-up format (such as the first special under the banner, Howie Mandel: Live at Carnegie Mall).

- Rising Star – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1985 to 1986, showcasing feature films from up-and-coming actors.

- Cinemax Film Discovery – This film block ran in varied primetime timeslots from 1985 to 1990, showcasing feature films not previously seen on television or in wide theatrical release.

- Military Max – Running from 1985 to 1988, this showcase featured a mix of four or five different military-themed feature films (most commonly war films, although with occasional broadcasts of military-themed films of other genres).

- Cinemax Director's Chair – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1985 to 1993, showcasing a selection of notable films from an acclaimed director.

- Beyond the Screen - This in-between bumper shows behind the scene looks of an upcoming movie or a movie that will soon be aired on Cinemax.

- Cinemax Western Roundup – Running from 1985 to 1993, this weekend block featured a mix of film westerns.

- Cinemania – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1993, showcasing a selection of comedic films.

- Cinemax Classic Collection – Running from 1985 to 1993, this block showcased a selection of film classics from the 1930s to the 1960s.

- Cinemax From the Heart – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1993, showcasing a selection of romantic comedies and dramas.

- Vanguard Cinema – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1993, showcasing a selection of critically acclaimed films from the United States and abroad (the block was divided into three sub-blocks: "Cinemax Documentary", featuring first-run documentary films; "New Wave Films", featuring acclaimed recent movies; and "Cinemax Imports", originally a standalone block that began in 1985, which showcased film releases from other countries).

- Max Crime Time – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1997, showcasing a selection of crime dramas, detective films or film noirs.

- Starring... – This film block ran in varied timeslots from 1988 to 1997, showcasing a selection of hits as well as some early films from a particular film actor throughout the month.

- Summer of 1000 Movies – "The Summer of 1000 Movies" annual film festival ran from 1992 to 2005, and ran until the mid-2000s, in which the channel ran 1,000 films (many with a similar subject) over the course of each summer without repeats.

- Max Hits at 8 – Running from 1997 to 2001, this block showcased a popular feature film each night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

- Max Prime at 10/Max Time – Debuting in 1997 under the "Max Prime" banner, this block showcased a particular choice movie of various genres each night at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or on weeknights only between 1998 and 2000, as a result of the creation of the "ActionMax on Cinemax" and "ThrillerMax on Cinemax" blocks).

#### Max After Dark

Cinemax's late-night block, Max After Dark, featured softcore pornographic films and original series with TV-MA or R ratings, primarily for strong sexual content and nudity. This block, which began on May 4, 1984, as "Cinemax Friday After Dark," expanded to seven nights a week by the late 1990s. Programs included Lingerie, Life on Top, Femme Fatales, and Topless Prophet. The block was known for its lenient scheduling around mainstream films and series and was often humorously referred to as "Skinemax."

The adult content was not limited to the main Cinemax channel but also aired on multiplex channels like MoreMax, ActionMax, ThrillerMax, and OuterMax. However, channels like MovieMax and 5StarMax avoided adult programming. The block's presence, alongside other HBO channels, was partly due to the FCC’s content regulations not applying to cable networks.

By 2013, Cinemax began reducing Max After Dark content to focus more on original programming, as internet porn's prevalence made the block's content seem relatively tame compared to HBO's original series.

## International distribution

Latin America

Cinemax launched on September 5, 1993, offering classic and recent movies, television series, and miniseries. Starting June 1, 2010, it became an ad-supported basic cable channel in the region. Original series aired on HBO's premium suite in Latin America.

Asia

Cinemax began broadcasting in 1996, featuring action, comedy, science fiction, and western movies. The channel was known as Max from 2009 to 2012.

Central Europe

Launched in February 2005, Cinemax focused on festival, indie, European, and classic films. Cinemax and Cinemax 2 are available in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, and expanded to certain Balkan countries in 2009. Initially a timeshift channel, Cinemax 2 started airing a distinct schedule from 2016.


Eubria

# Eubria

## Abstract

Eubria is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Psephenidae.

Species:

- Eubria palustris


1866 in Germany

# 1866 in Germany

## Abstract

These are events from the year 1866 in Germany.

## Incumbents

- King of Bavaria – Ludwig II of Bavaria

- King of Prussia – William I

- King of Saxony – John

## Events

- Alfred Nobel – invents dynamite in Germany.

## Births

### January–March

- 10 January – Ludwig Aschoff, German physician and pathologist (d. 1942)

- 28 January – Georg Friederici (d. 1947)

- February – Karl Albert Buehr, painter (d. 1952)

- 6 March – Hans Christiansen, artist (d. 1947)

- 7 March – Hans Fruhstorfer, German lepidopterist (d. 1922)

- 13 March – Friedrich Boedicker, Vizeadmiral (vice admiral) (d. 1944)

- 15 March – Matthew Charlton, Australian politician (d. 1948)

### April–June

- 11 April – Karl Bürger, German classical scholar (d. 1936)

- 22 April – Hans von Seeckt, German general (d. 1936)

- 23 May– Gustav Aschaffenburg, German psychiatrist (d. 1944)

- 8 June – Hermann Fenner-Behmer (d. 1913)

- 26 June – Josef Swickard, German actor (d. 1940)

### July–September

- 8 July – Benedict Friedlaender (d. 1908)

- 5 August – Carl Harries, German chemist (d. 1923)

- 16 September – Joe Vila, American sportswriter (d. 1934)

- 24 September – Max Bernhauer, German entomologist (d. 1946)

### October–December

- 27 October – Elsa Bernstein, Austrian-German writer and dramatist of Jewish descent. (d. 1949)

- 3 November – Paul Lincke, German composer (d. 1946)

- 20 November– Friedrich von Berg, German politician and chairman of the Secret Civil Cabinet of Kaiser Wilhelm II (d. 1939)

- 21 November – Hermann Boettcher, actor (d. 1935)

- 24 November – Rudolf Biebrach, German actor and film director (d. 1938)

- 12 December – Alfred Werner, German chemist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1919)

## Deaths

### January–June

- 31 January – Friedrich Rückert, German poet, translator and professor of Oriental languages (b. 1788)

- 6 March – Theodor Brüggemann, Prussian government official and politician (b. 1796)

### July–December

- 20 July – Bernhard Riemann, German mathematician (b. 1826)

- 30 August or 10 September – Hermann Goldschmidt, German-French astronomer and painter (b. 1802)


Pansa Vosbein

# Pansa Vosbein

## Abstract

Pansa Vosbein (Thai: พรรษา วอสเบียน; born 31 July 1996), nicknamed Milk (Thai: มิ้ลค์), is a Thai actress under GMMTV. She gained recognition from a sapphic role in the series Bad Buddy (2021).

## Life

Pansa was born on 31 July 1996. She is of Chinese, Danish, Mon, and Thai ancestry. She is the fourth of five brothers and sisters.

Pansa graduated from Maejo University in Chiang Mai province.

## Career

### Early

In 2018, Pansa participated in an audition called GSB Gen Campus Star 2018, organised by the magazine Campus together with the Thai Government Savings Bank. She passed the audition as one of the 23 representatives of Northern Thailand.

In 2019, Pansa got her first acting role in the music video for Ronnadet Wongsaroj 's song called "Pen Arai Sak Yang".

### Sapphic works

Later, Pansa became an actress under GMMTV. Her first work with GMMTV is the sapphic role of Ink in the series Bad Buddy (2021), in which she was paired up with Pa, played by Pattranite Limpatiyakorn, and which received acclaimed reviews, sending the hashtag "#อิ๊งภา" ("#InkPa") trending on social media.

Pansa and Pattranite continued to take sapphic roles together in a number of series, including Vice Versa (2022) in which Pansa played as Som, a love interest of Prae, played by Pattranite, Magic of Zero (2022), in which Pattranite and Pansa respectively reprised the roles of Pa and Ink, and 23.5 (2024), in which Pansa played as Ongsa, a love interest of Sun, played by Pattranite.

The success of working together also allowed Pansa and Pattranite to hold their own fan meeting events abroad, including:

Pansa and Pattranite also participated in the 2nd WTW Global Woman Summit held in Shanghai, China, on 27 July 2024.

The two will hold their concert in Bangkok, Thailand, on 1 December 2024.

### Other notable works

In 2021, Pansa also starred in F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, the Thai adaptation of the Japanese shōjo manga Boys Over Flowers by Yoko Kamio, as Lita, fiancée of Thyme (played by Vachirawit Chivaaree).

## Filmography


Kyle Larson


# 2024 Cork Premier Junior Football Championship

## Abstract

The 2024 Cork Premier Junior Football Championship is the second staging of the Cork Premier Junior Football Championship since its establishment by the Cork County Board in 2023. The draw for the group stage placings took place on 14 December 2023. The championship is scheduled to run from 26 July to October 2024.

## Team changes

### To Championship

Relegated from the Cork Intermediate A Football Championship

- Glenville

Promoted from the Cork Junior A Football Championship

- Canovee

### From Championship

Promoted to the Cork Intermediate A Football Championship

- St Finbarr's

Relegated to the City Junior A Football Championship

- St MIchael's

## Group A

### Group A table

Quarter-finalists Relegation playoff

### Group A results

## Group B

### Group B table

Quarter-finalists

### Group B fixtures and results

## Group C

### Group C table

Semi-finalists Quarter-finalists Relegation playoff

### Group C results

## Knockout stage

### Relegation playoff

### Quarter-finals

#### Qualified teams

- Kilmurry

### Semi-finals

### Final

## Championship statistics

### Miscellaneous

- The Group B round 3 game between Glenville and Kinsale was abandoned after 32 minutes following an injury to one of the Glenville players led to an ambulance being called.

## External link

- Cork GAA website