Bill Simmons, Ex-ESPN Personality, Signs Exclusive Deal With HBO
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — HBO says it has struck a multi-year, multi-platform deal with the multi-faceted Bill Simmons.
Under the deal, which begins in October, HBO will be Simmons' exclusive television home, the network said Wednesday.
Among other projects, Simmons will host a weekly talk show premiering next year. It will feature stories and guests from across the sports and cultural landscapes.
"We have been fans of Bill Simmons and his work for a very long time. His intelligence, talent and insights are without precedent in the areas he covers," HBO president of programming Michael Lombardo said in a statement. "We could not be more thrilled for him to bring those talents to HBO and to become a signature voice at the network, spanning the sports and pop culture landscapes."
Simmons will also have a production deal to produce content for the network and its digital platforms, delivering video podcasts and features. In addition, he will consult with HBO Sports.
"It's no secret that HBO is the single best place for creative people in the entire media landscape," Simmons said.
A top personality at ESPN until they parted ways in May, Simmons has served as a sports columnist, TV host and analyst, and best-selling author. He was also the founding editor of the Grantland.com website.
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