Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is an investigative sports series on HBO hosted by Bryant Gumbel (Contact, The Weather Man). The first episode debuted in 1995, and the series is currently on its 29th season. According to Deadline, the current season of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel will be the last.
Gumbel told Deadline, “Since Day 1 at Real Sports, we’ve consistently tried to look beyond the scoreboard and focus instead on the many societal issues inherent in the world of sports. In the process we’ve had the opportunity to tell complex stories about race, gender, class, opportunity and so much more.”
He continued, “Being able to do so at HBO for almost 3 decades has been very gratifying. I’m proud of the imprint we’ve made, so I’m ready to turn the page. Although goodbyes are never easy, I’ve decided that now’s the time to move on.”
Additionally, Deadline notes that the Chief Executive Officer of HBO Casey Bloys spoke about the end of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He stated, “For 29 seasons, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel has delivered a masterclass in sports storytelling. … As the longest-running HBO series, Bryant and his Real Sports team have long been a cornerstone of HBO programming. The series will continue to resonate in the realm of sports journalism, and we are so proud to have been part of such a remarkable odyssey.”
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel operates as a sports magazine where each month an episode is released and focuses on four stories. The series also features various correspondents, including Soledad O’Brien (Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, Today), Jon Frankel (The Big Year, Hellfighters), Mary Carillo (Olympic Ice, Billie Jean King), David Scott (Soul of a Nation, 20/20), and Andrea Kremer (NBC Sunday Night Football, Up Close).
As noted by Deadline, the series has won a plethora of awards, including thirty seven Emmy Awards and three Peabody Awards. In addition, Bryant Gumbel won the 2023 Sports Emmys Lifetime Achievement for his time as host.