Get ready for some old-school binge watching, because all of theStar Warsmovies are coming to TNT starting this weekend. Turner Inc., who owns TNT, TBS and several other cable networks, have made a massive deal with Disney in order to secure the broadcast rights for 10Star Warsmovies. Turner had to make a separate deal with 20th Century Fox, who still owns the rights toStar Wars: A New Hope. That brings the total to 11Star Warsmovies the company now has the rights to.
Deadlinereported on Wednesday that Turner had made the deal with Disney for around $200 million. The deal includes theStar Wars prequeltrilogy, as well asThe Empire Strikes Back,Return of the JediandThe Force Awakens. It will also include the next three yet-to-be-released movies, which will beRogue One: A Star Wars Story,Star Wars Episode VIIIand the upcoming untitledHan Solospinoff movie. Since the network was able to work out a separate deal with Fox, they now have the rights to air every movie in theStar Wars sagawhenever they choose.
According to the report,Star Wars: The Force Awakenswill make its debut on TNT in early 2018, withRogue One: A Star Wars Storyfollowing in early 2019. That means it will be roughly two and a half years from the theatrical release to the time they reach cable. In any case, it is a tremendous deal and Turner seems very happy about it. Here is whatDeborah K. Bradley, EVP of networks optimization, content strategy and commercialization for Turner, had to say in a statement about the deal.
“The Star Wars movies and characters are beloved across generations, captivating audiences and breaking box office records around the globe for nearly four decades. Through this deal, TNT and TBS will be the exclusive basic cable home of one of the most iconic, enduring and valuable movie franchises of all time, giving viewers the chance to watch this amazing collection from the very beginning.”
The deal between Turner and Disney for theStar Wars moviesis also said to include some other, less successful movies such asAlice Through The Looking GlassandPete’s Dragon. TNT will be celebrating the deal with a six-nightStar Warsmarathon starting on September 20, starting withStar Wars: The Phantom Menace. It will conclude on September 25 with an all-day marathon of the first sixStar Warssaga movies. you may check out the full schedule for the marathon here:
Tuesday, Sept. 20: 8 p.m. - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, 11 p.m. - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Wednesday, Sept. 21: 8 p.m. - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, 11:05 p.m. - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Thursday, Sept. 22: 8 p.m. - Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, 11:05 p.m. - Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Friday, Sept. 23: 8 p.m. - Star Wars: A New Hope, 10:45 p.m. - Star Wars: A New Hope. Saturday, Sept. 24: 10:45 a.m. - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, 1:45 p.m. - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, 4:55 p.m. - Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, 8 p.m. - Star Wars:The Empire Strikes Back, 10:45 p.m. - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Sunday, Sept. 25: 5:15 a.m. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, 8:15 a.m. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, 11:20 a.m. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, 2:25 p.m. - Star Wars: A New Hope, 5:10 p.m. - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, 8 p.m. - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, 11 p.m. - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, 2 a.m. - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
