HBO’s Friday night talk staple Real Time with Bill Maher is sticking around for at least three more seasons on the premium cable network.
HBO announced Wednesday that Real Time, which debuted in 2003 and is set to return for its 24th season later this month, has been renewed for both a 25th season next year and a 26th season in 2028. It is now HBO’s second-longest-running series ever, trailing only Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, which concluded in 2023 after 29 seasons.
Since Maher’s last contract renewal, HBO’s corporate sister station CNN has begun re-airing Real Time on Saturday nights, where it has anchored what’s become a popular comedy block for the news channel alongside Have I Got News For You.
Maher’s current contract had been set to expire at the end of this year.
There’s no word yet on plans for HBO’s other weekly late-night show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Oliver’s current contract also expires at the end of the year.
With Maher’s contract now taking him through the end of 2028, Real Time has the longest lease on life among the current crop of late-night talkers. Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers are both signed to their NBC shows through May 2028, while Jimmy Kimmel recently inked a one-year renewal with ABC that will take his show through the spring of 2027. Jon Stewart and the The Daily Show team are committed to Comedy Central through the end of this year, while Stephen Colbert and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are set to exit stage right this May.
Maher, who also hosts the podcast Club Random with Bill Maher, headlined his first HBO special in 1989 and has since starred in 13 HBO solo specials.
Before joining HBO as the host of Real Time, Maher hosted Politically Incorrect, which aired on Comedy Central from 1993 to 1997 and on ABC from 1997 to 2002.
Real Time with Bill Maher kicks off its Season 24 Jan. 23 on HBO and HBO Max.
Congratulations to Bill and his Team on their long and successful run. He is the best at what he does best.