The Chicago Bears’ “Hard Knocks” edition begins tonight

Highly anticipated TV show takes center stage 

For Chicagoans, the Chicago Bears’ edition of Hard Knocks might be one of the most anticipated television shows to debut in recent years. 

The show is already being met with excitement from fans and those in local sports media, thanks to a trailer that dropped last week featuring rookie Bears QB Caleb Williams – the man now responsible for turning around this moribund franchise. Fans are excited about Williams joining the team since he was drafted last April. 

The Bears’ appearance on Hard Knocks was announced two months ago. The team had never appeared on the show as Halas Hall opposed the idea due to the show’s all-access format. But so far, the team hasn’t had any problems with cameras watching their every move. 

“That’s what this show is about building relationships and earning people’s trust,” Hard Knocks director Shannon Furman told the Sun-Times, whose feature on the Bears’ edition was published in Tuesday’s editions. “You come in the first time and you’re a little bit walking on eggshells trying to figure out what you’re walking into, but … you kinda start to feel like you’re part of the family and everything. Everyone’s been awesome.”

NFL Films has a crew of 35 filming around Halas Hall, with 400 hours of footage whittled down into a one-hour episode, which begins Tuesday at 8 p.m. on HBO and runs for five weeks. The crew works thirteen-hour days to capture the emotions, the atmosphere, and the fun [to some] of Bears training camp. 

HBO has successfully imported the Hard Knocks formula to other sports, including Road To The Winter Classic, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the two NHL teams participating in the New Year’s Day outdoor game, and following several fighters leading up to a PPV match, when HBO was active in boxing. 

How to watch 

For a highly anticipated show like this in the past, you would find when it’s scheduled in the TV listings or your on-screen program guide and tune in or record it (via VCR or DVR) to watch it later. But as we all know, streaming has changed how we watch TV, making it easier to see your favorite shows on your schedule – especially on the go on any device.

Via streaming 

If you want to stream Hard Knocks, you can subscribe to Max (formerly HBO Max), Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service. Episodes are generally available after their initial HBO airing. There are three tiers to choose from:     

• A $9.99 monthly plan has ads with the right to stream on two devices and 1080p HD video resolution.
• An ad-free $16.99 tier, with rights to run on two devices concurrently and in 1080p HD with thirty downloads to watch on the go.
• An ultimate ad-free plan for $20.99 a month, where you can stream up to four devices concurrently in 4K, Dolby Atmos with one hundred downloads to watch on the go. 

You can apply for a 50 percent discount if you are a student.

Max is available as an add-on from cable, satellite, and virtual providers. YouTube TV offers it for $16.99 a month but doesn’t include the other two tiers.

If you don’t want Max long-term – and to avoid getting charged twice, subscribe to Max the day after Hard Knocks premieres on August 7 and cancel before September 6, three days after the season finale. 

Via linear TV

If you prefer to watch Hard Knocks the old-fashioned way – live as it airs, you can tune in to HBO Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Central through September 3 and repeats four more times within 24 hours. Hard Knocks also repeats several times on HBO and HBO 2 throughout the week, so check your local listings. HBO is a premium channel so if you don’t subscribe, you can order a package through your cable or satellite provider.

Hard Knocks may also be available on-demand through your cable and satellite provider; contact them to see if this option is available.