NFL Films, HBO Extend Deal to Produce Hard Knocks

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HBO Sports and NFL Films announced today that iot has reached a long-term extension to continue to produce the NFL training camp Hard Knocks series.

Here is the release from the two entities:

NEW YORK, July 18, 2013 – HBO Sports and NFL FILMS announced today that they have reached agreement on a long-term extension of the HARD KNOCKS franchise.  The first-ever sports reality series is set to return to HBO next month with an all-new, five-episode edition featuring the Cincinnati Bengals franchise.  The series premieres Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

When HARD KNOCKS debuted in the summer of 2001, it was television’s first sports reality series.  In the ensuing decade, the series became the most-acclaimed sports reality franchise on television, earning national recognition for its innovative production techniques, unscripted drama and unmatched storytelling.  The series redefined the terms “all-access” and “fastest turnaround time,” as the HBO Sports/NFL FILMS presentation captured the imagination of both the hardcore NFL fan and the casual sports and entertainment viewer.

Seven editions of the eight-time Emmy^®-Award-winning series have been presented and interest in the franchise continues to grow.

“We are thrilled to have HBO continue as the home of Hard Knocks, the preeminent sports reality series,” said Ken Hershman, President of HBO Sports.  “The partnership between HBO and NFL FILMS continually produces unrivaled and groundbreaking television programming.”

“We are excited to continue teaming with HBO on HARD KNOCKS to bring our fans closer to the game in unrivaled ways,” said Howard Katz, COO of NFL Films and NFL Senior Vice President of Broadcasting. “Since its debut 12 seasons ago, NFL FILMS has developed HARD KNOCKS into an integral part of the NFL preseason and we look forward to kicking off the next iteration of this acclaimed program with the Cincinnati Bengals in August.

The most recent edition, last summer’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins” received the Sports Emmy^® in the category of Outstanding Post-Produced Audio/Sound.  The HARD KNOCKS franchise has won eight Sports Emmy^® Awards since its debut.