Fans of HBO dramas, we've got some good news for you. HBO has renewed both True Blood and The Newsroom for new seasons next summer.
True Blood is available on Amazon Prime.
Because HBO is hardly a stranger to early renewals, it's not a huge shock that the cable channel would renew its two big summer dramas so soon into their current season runs. Still, this is quite early. It's especially early for The Newsroom
-- the freshman drama from Aaron Sorkin has aired only two episodes thus far.
Ratings are certainly a big factor in the decision. The Newsroom
earned 2.7 total viewers for its premiere episode, an impressive number for a pay-cable network like HBO. The early renewal means that ratings for the second episode, which aired on Sunday, July 1, are not yet available. HBO is obviously hoping to keep numbers at least level.True Blood
, meanwhile, is currently in its fifth season and still going strong. 6.3 million viewers tuned in for the True Blood
season 5 premiere back on June 10, a number similar to what HBO saw last season for the show.Read the latest True Blood recap here
Other than their presence on HBO and the use of occasionally colorful language, The Newsroom
and True Blood
couldn't be more different. True Blood
focuses on the supernatural happenings (many of which involve a lot of sex) in and around the town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. The Newsroom
, meanwhile, attempts to emulate the real life found behind-the-scenes at a cable news network. Only The Newsroom
has far more talking than would ever occur naturally.
Critics have been mixed on both shows this summer. While True Blood
is a strong fan favorite, some have complained about drawn-out storylines and ever-increasing, blood-soaked, sex-filled melodrama. Others like this, of course. As for The Newsroom
, Aaron Sorkin's new drama has had its share of both supporters and detractors on a number of fronts.Check out John Kubicek's review of The Newsroom premiere episode
. [Source: EW.com]
(Images courtesy of HBO)