Tests for ‘Multiplex’ Channels of HBO, Cinemax:...

Tests for ‘Multiplex’ Channels of HBO, Cinemax: Time Warner’s Home Box Office subsidiary said it will begin testing multichannel versions of HBO and its sister channel, Cinemax, with cable subscribers in Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin. The company said that eventually three different channels of each pay-TV network will be offered at no extra cost to the local cable operators. The additional channels will carry different schedules of HBO and Cinemax programming. A spokesman for HBO said the “multiplex” channels are being tested to reduce the disconnect rate for the pay networks, which is nearly 50% a year.