Real Time with Bill Maher CNN Blocked in Canada

[JoeSchmo]

Why was the latest episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher" on CNN (August 24, 2024) blocked and an episode of "Forensic Files" played instead?  Is Bell blocking "Real Time with Bill Maher" on CNN?

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question. Bell does not block shows. It may substitute a broadcast from another network if it is not licensed to broadcast a specific show in Canada. This is common with sports. I may also be that CNN itself substituted Forensic Files from their Headline Network. You would have to contact the originating broadcaster to be sure. 

[Technut]

Tonight I saw "Real Time with Bill Maher"  listed on my Bell FibeTV on CNN at 8:00. When I selected it, it was a "Forensic Files" show.  I switch the TV input to a Windows PC and used a browser to go to cnn.com and selected "live TV". What do you know, there was Bill Maher!

So tell us again that Bell didn't substitute the show.

[dks]

Thank you for your comment. I will gladly reaffirm what I said. Another possibility, which I have seen with other networks, is that the show appears on apps 24 hours later. The question is yet to be answered definitively. Perhaps, unless Bell staff comments, we will never know. The good news is that you found a way to watch the show you like. Thanks for letting us know the solution. In fact, I'll make your response a Most Helpful response. Thank you for that positive reply, very much in the spirit of the Community Forum. 

[NewGuy]

Real Time with Bill Maher is usually shown on HBO in the States.

In Canada, the rights to that show are owned by Crave.

Therefore, CNN can't air live episodes of that show over the air in Canada and must substitute the feed.

[dks]

Thank you for your comment. It explains the reason for the substitution clearly. I have added your reply to the Most Helpful responses as an Accepted Solution. 

[JoeSchmo]

Sorry, but you are wrong.  On March 18, 2024, CNN announced it would begin to air Encore Presentations of Real Time With Bill Maher, Saturdays at 8pm ET.  This programming was available in Canada - this is how I watched the show.  On July 19, 2024, the show went on hiatus (summer break/vacation etc.) and returned on August 23, 2024.  When it returned in August, Bell began to block the feed and substitute in "Forensic Files", so how do you explain that "Real Time with Bill Maher" was available before August but NOW it is blocked?  

P.S. Crave TV is owned by Bell.  Hmmm......

[Cookies]

It happened again last night (Aug. 31) and it was the Forensics show again but my sister is a Rogers subscriber and it was the Forensics show too although it showed on their directory of shows for CNN (she doesn't have Crave/HBO) but she has watched him on CNN in the last 6-8 weeks. I watched him on Fri. night on HBO Canada (I am Bell satellite) but I checked last night to see if it aired on CNN and it did not.  However I am pretty sure I have watched him on CNN on Sat. night when I have forgotten to tape the Fri. night show.  So this seems to be something new happening just in the last few weeks. .    

[JoeSchmo]

This is NOT a helpful response.  The solution provided should not have been necessary.  Bell created this problem by blocking a program that was readily available in the past.  So, why is Bell blocking a program that was available on CNN before August?  Perhaps... money?

[JoeSchmo]

The cynic in me thinks Bell is attempting to get more money from us.  By blocking "Real Time with Bill Maher" on CNN, Bell wants you to sign up for CraveTV ($9.99/month) to continue watching this show.

[dks]

The simplest explanation always works. A licensing matter. 

[JoeSchmo]

A licensing matter?  How do you expalin the FACT that this show was available to view on CNN from March 23, 2024 - July 20, 2024?  I'm quite sure that the licensing parameters for this show didn't change between March and August.  The only thing that changed was Bell's greed.

[dks]

If that suits your narrative, that's fine. A licensing matter is the only thing that fits a simple explanation. One thing for sure is that both of us are guessing. Someone found a workaround, however. Here is the Bell Media press release. https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/hbo-renews-real-time-with-bill-maher-through-2026/ 

[JoeSchmo]

I just read the press release.  Interesting, no mention of blocking "Real Time with Bill Maher" on CNN.  I wonder why?

[dks]

Why? Because the press release tells readers where you can watch the show, live on HBO and steamed on Crave, not where the show is not broadcast. The unstated, low key invitation is to watch the show on HBO and Crave (subscribe, please). Nothing else is relevant.