Notre Dame football already has its own television network, with NBC the broadcast partner of the Fighting Irish since 1991. Now Notre Dame is taking its game to premium cable, joining with Showtime for a season-long television series.
News is just breaking, but it appears that Showtime will televise “A Season with Notre Dame Football,” chronicling a full season of the Irish through a documentary series. In the tradition of the popular Hard Knocks series on HBO, we’ll likely get a behind-the-scenes look at Brian Kelly’s 2015 team, as they hope to achieve greatness.
“A Season With Notre Dame” premieres 9/8, chronicling a full season with the @FightingIrish @ASeasonWith #TCA15 pic.twitter.com/c6atvzdVNe
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) August 11, 2015
In discussions today at the annual Television Critics Association meetings, Showtime president David Nevins talked about the unprecedented access Showtime cameras will have. It likely comes after a successful partnership with Notre Dame’s basketball team on the project HoopsU, where Showtime cameras were embedded with Mike Brey’s team as they followed the Irish and Maryland’s basketball team both on and off the court during the final month of conference play.
“We’re honored and thrilled to be granted access to profile a college football program with a legacy as storied and as fascinating as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports. “The passion of the players and head coach Brian Kelly will make for a compelling television series that will appeal beyond hardcore college football fans to all viewers who appreciate great storytelling.”
Production has already begun on the show, with cameras at Culver and on campus. According to a press release, the show will have access to the locker room, class rooms, dorms, houses and apartments of coaches and players as the series watches the balancing act of athletics and classwork.
The series begins on Tuesday, September 8th.
This story was updated to include details from a press release.