difference between the premium movie channels?

Cafe Society
1

What is the difference between the premium movie channels?

With the Netflix new pricing scheme and a 1/2 price deal from my cable company, it seems a good time to suspend Netflix and sign onto their movie service for a bit.

My choices seem to be:
1 HBO (1 HD)
2 Cinemax (1 HD)
3 Showtime & The Movie Channel (1 HD (showtime))
4 Starz & Encore (2 HD (both Starz))

HD channels are important to me, so Starz takes a early lead as only the Starz one offers 2 HD channels with my provider. But I really don’t know too much about the different channels, what they offer that the other doesn’t? All offer some form of on demand, plus various non HD channel offerings.

So how do the movie channels compare? What are their good and bad points? ( and with the above packages in mind.)

To add on edit: most movies will be DVR’ed, so having 2 HD channels is not as important as just having a good selection to record.

Thanks

2

I can’t speak for the others, but HBO and Showtime are really good for the original programming. Take a look and see if there’s anything you’re interested in.
They’ve had shows such as:
Sopranos
Six Feet Under
True Blood
United States of Tara
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
Dexter
Nurse Jackie
Weeds

Personally, I had them for Sopranos and Six Feet Under and as soon as one is over they always pop up with a new one that keeps my interest (currently Dexter, Nurse Jackie and True Blood).