Reducing a business's ability to remain solvent does not constitute theft. If a competitor emerged and offered better shows for less money, that would also redu

Reducing a business's ability to remain solvent does not constitute theft. If a competitor emerged and offered better shows for less money, that would also reduce HBO's ability to remain solvent, but is obviously not theft. HBO does not "own" expected profits from their business. Spending an enormous amount of money does not entitle anyone to a profit, just ask Webvan.