Justin Timberlake

HBO Snags Timberlake For Concert Series Comeback

Justin Timberlake

HBO will produce and air a Justin Timberlake show -- its first concert in four years. The last HBO concert was a Rolling Stones event in 2003 and since then many in the TV biz have all but given up on the music special.

The Timberlake solo concert special for HBO will be taped August 16 at Madison Square Garden, during the second U.S. leg of his FutureSex/LoveShow world tour. It will air September 3.

Marty Callner, who has worked on concerts ranging from the Rolling Stones to Garth Brooks for HBO, will produce and direct.

HBO Entertainment Senior VP Nancy Geller said bringing back concert specials was about timing, with HBO emphasizing its slate of original series for the past several years.

"The concert specials always have been icing on the cake, but the series were so important," she said. "When Justin said he was going on tour, it was a no-brainer. It just felt right -- he is a classic HBO star, it feels like the right time, and he's the right guy."

The selection of Timberlake for this concert reflects HBO's interest in attracting a younger audience. Timberlake also appeared in an HBO concert special when he was in 'N Sync.

Timberlake’s second solo album, "FutureSex/LoveSounds," has sold nearly 6 million copies and garnered two Grammys.