The Sopranos . Sex and the City . The Wire . Veep . Game of Thrones . For decades, HBO was the place people went to see what was on the cutting edge of TV. The shows were deeper, denser, and bolder than anything else around.

HBO still has a reputation for quality, but a new challenger is on the verge of stealing its prestige TV crown: Apple TV+. As HBO has embraced trends and therefore become a little more ordinary, Apple has reached into its cavernous war chest and spent money on challenging, original programming. We're watching it turn into the creative powerhouse that HBO used to be.

What happened to HBO?

It's not just that Apple TV+ is winning this race. HBO is losing.

I don't want to make out like HBO isn't worth watching anymore; it is. There are lots of good shows on the air or

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