HBO Films is a division of the cable television network HBO that produces feature films and miniseries. While much of HBO Films' output is created directly for the television market, such as the mini-series Band of Brothers and Angels in America, it has also branched into theatrical distribution with such critically acclaimed films as Elephant and American Splendor. These theatrical releases are usually handled by Picturehouse, a joint venture between HBO Films and New Line Cinema; both are owned by Time Warner.

HBO began producing films in 1983 with their HBO Pictures banner; their first film, The Terry Fox Story, was also the first feature film produced expressly for pay television. Another film production company, HBO Showcase (later HBO NYC) was folded into HBO Pictures to produce the current company HBO Films.

The Muppets Take Manhattan, was first aired on HBO, June 18, 1997. But this was from TriStar Pictures, but "Learning About Numbers," debuted: June 18, 1997, within Big Bird's Numbers Show.

HBO Films productions are generally regarded to be high_quality and groundbreaking productions; the films produced by the company have garnered hundreds of Emmy and Golden Globe awards; HBO Films productions have won the award for the Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Made for Television Movie" every year from 1993 to 2002, except 2000. Elephant is the first film produced by HBO Films to win the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Source: www.wikipedia.com