Content providers like Time Warner receive carriage fees from the cable and satellite companies, which account for about half of their revenues (and the great majority for a premium channel like HBO).

It was the first time the award had gone to a show on basic cable (it is shown on the AMC channel) as opposed to a premium network, such as HBO.

However, relying on email solely for this kind of promotion can turn the channel from a premium revenue producer into just a discount channel.