HBO has renewed Aaron Sorkin's freshman series 'The Newsroom', 'Eastbound & Down' and veteran drama 'True Blood' for a sixth season.
'The Newsroom', starring Jeff Daniels, Sam Waterston and Emily Mortimer, debuted as the cable network's third-best drama premiere ever last month to 2.1 million viewers behind only 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'Game of Thrones'.
Meanwhile, although 'True Blood' is down more than 1 million viewers since last year, it is still bringing in solid numbers for HBO on Sunday nights. Its most recent episode drew 4.66 million viewers.
Co-executive producer Mark Hudis will succeed Alan Ball as showrunner next season. The creator and executive producer of the drama announced in February that he would be moving away from day-to-day duties and writing for the series.
Finally, 'Eastbound & Down', which stars Danny McBride as self-destructive former pro pitcher Kenny Powers, will be back a fourth and likely final season. HBO has picked up the series for an eight additional episodes.