What was the first hour long drama series produced by the U.S. cable network HBO?

Beginning in 1997, HBO launched its first one-hour dramatic narrative series. The TV series was "Oz". After the success of this show, HBO would start a trend, and it would become commonplace with most premium cable services.

"Oz" was a TV drama series by HBO which showed violent men-behind-bars. It became an addictive soap opera, driven by guys with a great deal of testosterone. The first season set the style for the show: a massive cast of vivid characters on both sides of the bars. Four or five stories were unleashed at a breakneck pace; they were framed by angry, oddball situations with a soaring casualty rate. Created by the producer of "Homicide" (Tom Fontana), this drama quickly earned a reputation as the most brutal show on TV. It's simple chemistry: combine volatile ingredients in a confined space, shut tight, and shake.

This series was not rated; but the drug use, nudity, and brutal violence made this show highly inappropriate for young viewers and squeamish individuals. "Oz" pulled no punches in its portrayal of prison violence and predatory abuse. Because of each element that went into the series, the show was able to run for six dynamic seasons.