In the summer of 2013, it was announced that the series would be tested on seven Fox-owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix, Houston and Tampa. In October 2013, it was announced that The Real would be nationally syndicated beginning September 15, 2014. In February 2015, Warner Bros. announced the series had been renewed for a second season. In October 2015, the series was renewed for a third and fourth seasons, allowing it to air through 2018. The program switched to broadcasting live in its fourth season, allowing viewers "a seat at the table" starting September 2017. In January 2018, the series was renewed for a fifth and sixth seasons. In November 2019, the series was renewed for a seventh and eighth seasons for the 2021–2022 television season. SallyAnn Salsano, who created the show, was executive producer along with Rachel Miskowiec until 2015, when Miskowiec took over; the show is produced by 495 Productions and Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
Co-hosts
The original panel of The Real comprised five co-hosts: actress Tamera Mowry, television personality Jeannie Mai, singer and television personality Tamar Braxton, singer and actress Adrienne Bailon, comedian and actress Loni Love. Braxton announced her departure on May 22, 2016, citing an intention to concentrate on her music career. In January 2020, actress and comedian Amanda Seales joined The Real as a permanent co-host during the series' sixth season. The following June, Seales exited the series, citing her dissatisfaction with the inability to openly speak on recent social issues as a reason. The following month, Mowry announced her departure.
Notable episodes
The Real celebrated its 100th episode on February 24, 2015. On November 2, 2015, The Real held an exclusive interview with Rachel Dolezal lasting thirty minutes. In the interview, Dolezal admitted she was born white. In January 2016, the co-hosts traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit The White House and First Lady Michelle Obama. In addition to granting an interview, The First Lady and the co-hosts spoke to high schoolers about college. On April 30, 2018, The Real held a celebratory episode following their win at the 45th Daytime Emmy Awards one day before. The series celebrated the airing of its 1,000th episode on February 17, 2020.
