HBO is reimagining its popular sports documentary series by airing all four AFC North teams concurrently during the 2024-25 NFL season. This will give fans an unparalleled behind-the-scenes look at one of football’s most intense divisions.
The trailblazing series will follow the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers as they strive for division supremacy and a possible trip to Super Bowl LIX. The show, which premieres December 3 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max, will screen weekly episodes throughout the regular season and into the January 2025 playoffs.
This novel strategy follows a historic 2023 season in which the AFC North became the first NFL division to have all four teams end with winning records. Keith Cossrow, VP and Head of Content at NFL Films, cited this success as a crucial factor in their choice. “Last season’s performance made the AFC North the perfect place to launch this new documentary format,” the coach stated.
The competing teams have had various experiences with “Hard Knocks.” The Ravens first appeared in the 2001 training camp edition, followed by the Bengals in 2009 and 2013 and the Browns in 2018. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, this is their first participation in the series.
This edition builds on HBO’s recent expansion of the “Hard Knocks” franchise, which includes an offseason edition with the New York Giants and a training camp series with the Chicago Bears in 2024. The new in-season approach aims to depict the tight playoff race from several team perspectives.
“We want to showcase some of the greatest rivalries in football,” Cossrow remarked. The following clip demonstrates HBO’s dedication to unique sports documentary content, providing fans with personal access to NFL teams during the crucial late-season playoff push.
Fans can expect an immersive experience beyond standard sports coverage, with insights into team relationships, player challenges, and the high-stakes competitiveness that distinguishes professional football.
