‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ Replays to Run in Primetime Saturdays on CNN

CNN is about to get a bigger dose of Real Time.

The cable news channel will add a replay of the HBO series Real Time with Bill Maher to its Saturday lineup at 8 p.m. starting March 23, part of a larger strategic shift in how the channel will approach its weekend programming.

“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 VP of talent, CNN Originals and creative development for CNN Worldwide. “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.”

The addition of Maher’s HBO show (it will still debut on HBO and Max Friday nights, and will stream on Max) suggests that CNN wants a different style of programming on the weekends (at least on weekends where there is little breaking news).

CNN has actually been televising Real Time Overtime, the bonus segment from Maher’s show, Friday nights at 11:30 p.m. CNN has been televising Overtime for the past year, though it will stop doing so once Real Time moves to CNN later this month.

Reruns of Real Time on CNN also serve as another example of Warner Bros. Discovery seeking ways to more efficiently monetize and window its content between its TV channels and Max. There is likely overlap (at least in terms of viewer interest) between the HBO series and the CNN audience, who may or may not pay for HBO or Max.

Maher, of course, routinely books politicians and other newsmaking guests on his HBO show. He also occasionally makes news himself, as when The Hollywood Reporter reported that he had fired his team at CAA after being snubbed from an agency Oscars party in which Vice President Kamala Harris was in attendance.

Earlier this month HBO renewed Real Time for two more seasons, keeping it on the channel’s Friday night lineup through 2026.