Didn't most people subscribe to HBO for its original series? In the 2000s they had Entourage, Sopranos and Six Feet Under and probably many more I can't remember.
HBO was quite old at that point when the original programming started. I remember when it started and in its real growth period it would send a monthly viewers guide of their rotating catalog with show times.
Original programming more or less started much later after they were well established and seeking marginal growth.
