Turner Lands Star Wars Cable Rights Through Episode IX

CBR

By Andrew Paul

Published Sep 14, 2016

The television giant made history with its unprecedented deal to air the Star Wars franchise on its networks.

The licensing is strong with this one.

In what will surely go down as one of the most lucrative television deals in history, media giant Turner has bought the rights to air every Star Wars movie to date, along with future releases including "Rogue One" and the yet-to-be-titled "Episodes VIII" and "IX." According to THR, the exclusive basic cable and ad-supported on-demand deal was struck with Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios, along with 20th Century Fox who still owns "Star Wars: A New Hope." All told, that's ten films heading to TV, and much sooner than later.

To celebrate the partnership -- which is rumored to have cost Turner around $200 million -- the broadcasting behemoth will air the first six Star Wars films on TNT over the course of next week, culminating in a marathon run of Episodes I-VI beginning in the wee hours of Sunday, September 25. This will be the second massive get from Disney for Turner, who acquired the broadcast rights for five Marvel Studios films including "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Captain America: Civil War" back in 2014.

Check out next week's Star Wars schedule below to begin planning accordingly.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

Wednesday, Sept. 21

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Thursday, Sept. 22

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Friday, Sept. 23

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope