History of The Newsroom (American TV series) in Timeline

The Newsroom, created by Aaron Sorkin, is a political drama television series that aired on HBO from 2012 to 2014, spanning three seasons and 25 episodes. The show revolves around the behind-the-scenes events at a fictional cable news network, ACN (Atlantis Cable News), and the efforts of its news anchor, Will McAvoy, and his team to deliver news with integrity and professionalism. The series explores the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in a rapidly changing media landscape, tackling themes of corporate interference, ratings pressures, and the pursuit of truth in the face of political and commercial agendas.

1996: Scott Rudin's Previous Television Work

Scott Rudin's only previous television work was the 1996 spin-off series Clueless.

Loading Video...

1998: CNN and TIME criticized for reporting dubious story

In 1998, CNN and TIME were criticized for reporting a dubious and unreliably sourced story that the United States had used Sarin during the Operation Tailwind excursion in the Vietnam War.

2008: HBO's Most-Watched Series Premieres Since 2008

The Newsroom was one of HBO's most-watched series premieres since 2008, with 2.1 million viewers on June 24, 2012.

Loading Video...

April 2009: Sorkin Contemplating New TV Drama

In April 2009, Entertainment Weekly reported that Aaron Sorkin, while working on The Social Network screenplay, was considering a new TV drama about a cable news program's behind-the-scenes events.

Loading Video...

2009: News Night team reports false news story

In 2009 the News Night team reported a false news story about the United States Marine Corps using sarin gas during the war in Afghanistan.

2009: Development of Cable-News-Centered TV Drama

Since 2009, Aaron Sorkin was reportedly developing a cable-news-centered TV drama.

2010: Sorkin Researches Cable News

In 2010, to research the cable news world, Aaron Sorkin was an off-camera guest at MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann to observe the show's production, and quizzed Parker Spitzer's staff when he was a guest on that show.

Loading Video...

2010: Talks Ongoing Between Sorkin and HBO

Reportedly, talks were ongoing between Aaron Sorkin and HBO since 2010 regarding the new TV drama.

January 2011: Sorkin Reveals Project on BBC News

In January 2011, Aaron Sorkin revealed the new TV drama project on BBC News.

January 2011: HBO Orders Pilot

In January 2011, HBO ordered a pilot of The Newsroom with the working title More as This Story Develops.

January 2011: HBO Orders The Newsroom Pilot

In January 2011, after months of negotiations, HBO ordered a pilot for cable-news-centered TV drama created by Aaron Sorkin.

March 2011: Jeff Daniels Cast in Lead Role

In March 2011, Jeff Daniels was cast in the lead role of The Newsroom.

April 2011: Alison Pill and Olivia Munn Enter Negotiations

Reportedly, in April 2011, Alison Pill and Olivia Munn entered negotiations to star in The Newsroom.

May 2011: Emily Mortimer Replaces Marisa Tomei

In May 2011, Emily Mortimer replaced Marisa Tomei in the fictional executive producer role.

May 2011: Sam Waterston Joins Cast

In May 2011, Sam Waterston also joined the cast of The Newsroom.

June 2011: John Gallagher Jr., Thomas Sadoski, and Dev Patel Added to Cast

In June 2011, John Gallagher Jr., Thomas Sadoski, and Dev Patel were added to the cast of The Newsroom.

September 8, 2011: HBO Orders Full Series of The Newsroom

On September 8, 2011, HBO ordered a full series of The Newsroom, consisting of an initial 10-episode run with a premiere date set for summer 2012.

Loading Video...

November 29, 2011: HBO Files Trademark for "The Newsroom"

On November 29, 2011, HBO filed for a trademark on "The Newsroom" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

December 21, 2011: Series Name Confirmed

On December 21, 2011, the series name was confirmed as The Newsroom in an HBO promo, previewing its programs for 2012.

Loading Video...

2011: Production Began

Production for The Newsroom began in the fall of 2011.

June 2012: Sorkin Describes The Newsroom

In June 2012, Aaron Sorkin described The Newsroom as an optimistic, upward-looking show about people often viewed cynically.

Loading Video...

June 24, 2012: The Newsroom Premieres in the United States

On June 24, 2012, The Newsroom premiered in the United States on HBO and was watched by 2.1 million viewers, making it one of HBO's most-watched series premieres since 2008. The first episode was made available free to all viewers on multiple platforms, including HBO.com, iTunes, and YouTube.

Loading Video...

June 24, 2012: The Newsroom Premiere

On June 24, 2012, The Newsroom, an American political drama television series created by Aaron Sorkin, premiered on HBO.

Loading Video...

June 25, 2012: The Newsroom Premieres in Germany and Austria

On June 25, 2012, The Newsroom premiered in Germany and Austria on Sky's video-on-demand service Sky Go one day after the U.S. premiere, and Sky Anytime one day later. HBO Europe also began airing the show in all twelve countries with appropriate subtitles one day after the U.S. premiere.

Loading Video...

July 10, 2012: The Newsroom Premieres in the UK and Ireland

On July 10, 2012, The Newsroom premiered on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom and Ireland, two weeks after its U.S. debut.

Loading Video...

August 1, 2012: Sorkin Responds to Critics

On August 1, 2012, Aaron Sorkin responded to critics by including news consultants with newsroom experience.

August 13, 2012: The Newsroom Premieres in New Zealand

On August 13, 2012, The Newsroom premiered in New Zealand on SKY NZ's SoHo channel.

Loading Video...

August 20, 2012: The Newsroom Debuts in Australia

On August 20, 2012, The Newsroom debuted in Australia on the SoHo channel.

Loading Video...

November 2012: Patton Oswalt's Role Announcement

In November 2012, Patton Oswalt was announced to play Jonas Pfeiffer, the new V.P. of human resources at ACN, but he ultimately did not appear in the season.

2012: Previewing programs for 2012

An HBO promo in 2012, previewing its programs confirmed the name of the show as 'The Newsroom'.

Loading Video...

2012: Sorkin Hired Conservative Media Consultants

In 2012 for the second season, Aaron Sorkin hired conservative media consultants to help him represent "every part of the ideological spectrum," and the second season would include the 2012 United States presidential election.

2012: HBO Renews Series for Second Season

In 2012, HBO renewed The Newsroom series for a second season, a day after the second episode aired.

Loading Video...

May 21, 2013: Season 1 Premieres in India

On May 21, 2013, The Newsroom premiered in India on HBO Defined.

Loading Video...

July 30, 2013: Season 2 Premieres in India

On July 30, 2013, season 2 of The Newsroom premiered in India on HBO Defined, with episodes airing two weeks after the U.S. premiere.

Loading Video...

September 17, 2013: The Newroom: Season Two Ratings

September 17, 2013, "The Newroom: Season Two Ratings" was published on TV Series Finale.

2013: Whistleblowing storyline parallels Edward Snowden disclosures

The whistleblowing storyline in The Newsroom's third season takes place in parallel to the Edward Snowden disclosures in 2013.

April 2014: Sorkin Wishes He Could "Start Over"

In April 2014, during a talk at the Tribeca Film Festival, Aaron Sorkin said he wished he could "start over" in terms of how journalists perceived the show.