FrackNation, Controversial Fracking Documentary, To Air On AXS TV

Mark Cuban's AXS TV has announced it will air the controversial "pro-fracking" documentary FrackNation the night after HBO premieres Gasland 2, Josh Fox's sequel to the Oscar-nominated anti-fracking documentary Gasland.

FrackNation explores the implications of hydraulic fracturing -- a process that involves the high-pressure injection of undisclosed chemicals into rocks containing oil or natural gas -- and argues that media portrayals of the issue have been largely "exaggerated hyperbole."

"We are delighted that AXS TV will show FrackNation the night after Gasland 2 premieres on HBO," said Phelim McAleer, one of the directors of the documentary. "Now the people of America will be able to look at both sides of the story. More information about fracking will enable people to distinguish between scare stories and true stories."

The rival documentaries will air in early July, with Gasland 2 premiering on July 8 on HBO and FrackNation airing on AXS TV on July 9. AXS TV has used this counter-programming strategy before. It first aired FrackNation in January after Matt Damon's anti-fracking film Promised Land was released in theaters.

"Of course the timing is relevant,” Cuban told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “We want people talking and using #AXSTV when they watch and discuss it.”

Fox was not immediately available for comment.