HBO has announced that they’ve dropped the longest running series on cable television. After over three decade, say goodbye to Inside the NFL… or maybe not. The NFL contends the show’s not over yet.
Inside the NFL debuted back in the Fall of 1977. It was the first major sports show for the young HBO, or any cable channel for that matter. The series’ schedule parallels that of the National Football League (NFL), beginning each season just prior to the first game and wrapping up after the Super Bowl. Generally the show features highlights of recent matches, interviews, upcoming game previews, and occasional comedy segments.
NBC Sports veteran Bob Costas is the current anchor with former players Dan Marino, Cris Collinsworth, and Cris Carter serving as co-hosts and analysts. HBO Sports and NFL Films co-produce the weekly program.
Inside was truly unique in its day but, with the explosion of sports programming on cable, viewers have been able to get their football fix on a more timely basis elsewhere. It’s for this reason that HBO has announced that they are canceling the series after last night’s Super Bowl recap show.
“Inside the NFL has been a hallmark program for three decades on HBO,” HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg said. “It has been a terrific franchise. But the television landscape has changed quite a bit over the last 30 years and we have to recognize the realities of the business.”
The NFL says that they plan to continue the series without HBO, via another channel. The organization has been in talks with three or four possible outlets but a deal hasn’t been sealed yet. Regardless, the NFL is confident that the series will kick off on schedule in the fall. Stay tuned! 
THIS IS A GREAT SHOW. IT HAS BECOME PART OF NFL HERITEGE. WHY WOULD YOU TAKE AWAY ONE OF FOOTBALLS MOST ENTERTAINING SHOWS? I HAVE WATCHED THIS SHOW SINCE THE BEGINNING WHEN THEY HAD LEN DAWSON AND NICK BOUNTICONTI. I ALWAYS ENJOYED WATCHING HILIGHTS AND HEARING PREDICTIONS AND COMMENTS. FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION NOW THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED TO CRIS CARTER,DAN MARINO,BOB COSTIS AND CRIS COLLINSWORTH. THEY HAVE CARRIED ON THE TRADITION WELL. I WOULD MISS THIS SHOW IF YOU DID. AS A LONG TIME WATCHER AND A LONG TIME FAN I ASK YOU, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?… Read more »
WHAT THE HELL!!! I’M NOT A PERSON THAT LIKE TO COMPLAIN, BUT THIS IS STUPID!! Boxing and Inside the NFL is the ONLY SHOW I WATCH!!
I’m shocked I have really enjoyed doing the football picks over the last several seasons. The football season will not be the same I hope HBO will relook at this and bring you guys back. You will be missed!!!!
It is wrong. It is wrong. It is very very wrong. Business reasons they claim. Business reasons that they would cancel the best NFL program with one of the best Sports CAST ever assembled for adult viewing. HBO YOU SUCK BIG TIME! @?#%_______
No “Inside the NFL”? Here’s my example of a “changing television landscape”: No HBO!!!!