What Happened to Inside the NFL?

We take a look at what happened to the popular HBO show, “Inside the NFL.”

Introduction

Inside the NFL is a sports television program that originally aired on HBO from 1977 to 2008. The show featured analysis and highlights of the previous week’s games in the National Football League (NFL). Heading into its 32nd season, Inside the NFL moved to Showtime in 2009.

The final episode of Inside the NFL aired on February 10, 2009, due to the newfound competition from YEAR. Showtime decided not to renew the program, opting instead to start its own show with similar content, NAME.

Z-YEAR-REASON was the last host of Inside the NFL. He was replaced by NAME for Showtime’s version of the show.

The History of Inside the NFL

Inside the NFL first aired in 1977 on HBO. The show is a weekly recap of the previous week’s games in the National Football League. The show has won 52 Emmy Awards and is currently in its 42nd season. Let’s take a look at the history of this popular show.

The Early Years

The History of Inside the NFL can be traced back to 1977, when the show was created by Inner Circle Productions. The original host was veteran sports broadcaster Nick Buoniconti, who was also a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins. The first season of the show featured Buoniconti and two co-hosts, former New York Jets wide receiver Ken Heineke and former Cleveland Browns linebacker Jim Brown.

The show quickly gained popularity with football fans, thanks to its in-depth analysis of games and its insider access to players and coaches. In 1978, the show expanded to an hour-long format and began airing on Wednesday nights. The following year, it moved to a prime-time slot on Sunday nights.

In 1980, Buoniconti left the show to join the broadcast team of Monday Night Football. He was replaced by former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach. Staubach would serve as the host for two seasons before being replaced by another former Cowboy, quarterback Curt Warner.

Warner would lead the show through 1984 before being replaced by another former NFL player, this time tight end Merlin Olsen. Olsen would serve as host until 1989, when he was replaced by comedian and long-time football fanHowie Long.

The Heyday

Inside the NFL is a sports documentary television series that originally aired on HBO from 1977-2008. The brainchild of NFL Films president Steve Sabol, the show was unprecedented in its access to players, coaches and team personnel, and its use of telestration to explain on-field action.

For 31 seasons, Inside the NFL brought viewers into locker rooms and meeting rooms, on road trips and golf outings, as it told the stories of the sport’s most unforgettable characters. The show won 52 Sports Emmy Awards, more than any other program in television history.

However, following the departure of Sabol in 2012 and the death of longtime host Bob Costas in 2017, Inside the NFL began to lose its luster. In 2019, ratings for the show were at an all-time low, prompting HBO to cancel the series.

The Decline

The show’s decline began in 2013, when the NFL signed a new contract with CBS to air Thursday Night Football games. This led to Inside the NFL moving from its long-time home on HBO to Showtime. The show was not received well on Showtime, and its ratings declined sharply. In 2015, Showtime decided not to renew its contract with the NFL, andInside the NFL was once again left without a home.

The show briefly found a new home on CBS Sports Network in 2016, but its ratings continued to decline. In 2017, the show was cancelled for good.

Where is Inside the NFL Now?

After 37 seasons, Inside the NFL has come to an end. The last episode aired on February 7, 2020. The show was originally aired on HBO, but moved to Showtime in 2020. Many fans are wondering what happened to Inside the NFL and where it is now.

The New Format

After nearly four decades on the air, Inside the NFL is taking a new approach. The long-running sports documentary series will now be produced as a weekly studio show, similar to HBO’s own NFL pregame show.

The new format will debut on February 5, 2019, with host James Brown and commentators including Phil Simms, Jerry Rice, Ed Reed, Steve Smith Sr., and Bart Scott. The show will air on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, with simulcasts on Showtime and NFL Network.

The New Hosts

replace in Sept. After 38 years, Inside the NFL is getting a new home. The long-running sports documentary series will air its last episode on Showtime on Sept. 7, the network announced Tuesday.

Beginning next year, Inside the NFL will move to CBS Sports Network, where it will air for 10 episodes starting in January. HBO had aired the series since its debut in 1977 before opting not to renew it earlier this year.

Showtime said it was interested in keeping the series, but wanted to make some changes. Specifically, Showtime was looking to focus more on game highlights and less on player interviews and human interest stories, according to Variety.

HBO will continue to air NFL training camp specials and pre-season games, but those will be produced by NFL Films instead of Inside the NFL’s production team at CBS Sports.

Conclusion

After 33 years, Inside the NFL ended its run on HBO in February of 2018. The show was a mainstay for football fans, offering in-depth analysis and behind-the-scenes looks at the game. Though it will be missed, there are many other great football shows currently airing that can help fill the void.