Aaron Rodgers-Led ‘Hard Knocks’ Scored HBO Docuseries’ Biggest Audience in 13 Years

By Daniel Frankel
( NextTV )
published

NFL training camp-themed show had its best viewer numbers since the last Jets ‘Hard Knocks’ back in 2010

Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the New York Jets
‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the New York Jets’ (Image credit: HBO)

HBO’s Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the New York Jets averaged 4.4 million viewers per episode in four installments spanning August 8-29, giving the venerable NFL training-camp-themed Hard Knocks docu-series franchise its best audience performance since 2010, the last time the focus was on the Jets. 

That year, former Jets coach Rex Ryan and No. 5 overall draft pick, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, went onto a runner-up finish in the AFC East. They made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

This year’s Jets, featured in the 18th Hard Knocks installment, generated a ratings highlight for HBO and its sibling streaming platform Max. Both are somewhat bereft of scripted hits right now, having purged away shows via cost-cutting before the Hollywood guild strikes ground production to a halt. 

Also entering his 18th season and his first with the Jets, quirky star quarterback Aaron Rodgers drove the show's narrative for one inspired month. That was before he succumbed to a disappointing ruptured Achilles tendon four plays into the first game of the regular season. 

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!