Bill Maher‘s long-running “Real Time” is getting more time across the Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio.
CNN will start running episodes of the program on Saturday nights at 8 p.m., a day after their original broadcasts on HBO. The show will also continue to be available live and on demand on the streaming platform Max.
“The addition of ‘Real Time With Bill Maher‘ to CNN’s weekend primetime lineup marks the start of a commitment and investment into topical entertainment programming that we’re bringing to the weekends,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent, original programming and creative development for CNN Worldwide, in a statement. “We’ve seen that audiences enjoy Bill’s perspective and approach to news and information, and we’re looking forward to the show now being on CNN.”
CNN had been airing segments from “OverTime,” a YouTube-streamed “after-show” Maher hosts with his “Real Time” guests, but will cease doing so. The new programming arrangement starts March 23.
CNN has long solicited programming concepts from outside contributors over the years, including Anthony Bourdain, Lisa Ling and W. Kamau Bell. Many of the programs built on such relationships were cancelled after the formation of Warner Bros. Discovery in a bid to slash costs. Maher’s show presumably allows CNN to add colorful personalities to its schedule without running up the same level of fees for production and talent.
Can HBO’s “Last Week With John Oliver” be far behind?
Both Maher and Oliver are considered comedians, but their programs, which analyze events and the news cycle, are included as on-demand offerings in a hub devoted to news programming offered via Max that also features a live stream of many CNN shows.
Maher recently extended his current pact to host “Real Time” for HBO by two years, ensuring he will be with the network through 2026.
