Not on the day Maggie Smith died, you guys.
Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery are squabbling over HBO/Max’s coming Harry Potter sequence. Particularly, UK broadcaster Sky, owned by Comcast, has sued WBD for the suitable to co-produce the small-screen adaptation of J.Ok. Rowling’s novel sequence.
In 2019, the yr after Comcast acquired Sky, it and Warner Media — a predecessor to what would grow to be Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022 — fashioned a pact that claims WBD will current Sky with 4 hour-length, multi-season reveals meant for what was then HBO Max, and provides them the prospect to co-finance or co-produce the sequence. Sky believes that lot ought to embrace the Potter sequence.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s “too-bad, so-sad” protection is the Mayan calendar: The deal ends in 2025, and the Harry Potter present is slated for 2026.
However Sky says it doesn’t matter when it’s slated to air; the deal phrases are based mostly on whether or not the present was “ordered.” WBD formally ordered the Harry Potter sequence in April 2023, so Potter ought to technically qualify. But additionally of notice, Sky’s deal doesn’t embrace reveals meant for HBO’s linear channel or the now-defunct HBO Now. Warner Bros. a couple of months again made the shift of calling Harry Potter an HBO Unique somewhat than a Max Unique, a distinction that on the time appeared like a advertising technique choice.
All of that might be up to the courts to resolve. However right here’s what Sky’s formally saying:
“Warner’s reason for refusing to honor its obligations to Sky could not be more clear: Warner has chosen to keep the Harry Potter Series for itself and make the blockbuster series the cornerstone of its own Max rollout in Europe,” the lawsuit, obtained by IndieWire, reads.
Max is ready to rollout in Europe in — you guessed it — 2026.
Potter apart, Sky says WBD has “never upheld” its finish of the discount, and that the 2 corporations have been working to add a brand new modification to the deal ever since earlier than Warner Bros. Discovery even existed.
When the corporate introduced it was launching a casting name for the three primary leads of Harry, Ron, and Hermione on the present again on September 8, that was simply “the latest demonstration of its total disregard for Sky’s rights.”
“Warner Brothers. Discovery is a longstanding partner to our business. In the course of our work together, we have been unable to resolve a dispute over a specific agreement. As a result of exposure to harm and losses we have initiated proceedings to safeguard our interests and enforce our rights to partner in the production and distribution of highly valuable content,” a Sky rep stated in an announcement shared with IndieWire. “We look forward to achieving a swift and conclusive resolution of the matter. At the same time, we continue to work constructively with Warner Brothers. Discovery and have a separate agreement in place that will ensure Sky customers continue to enjoy HBO shows, including new seasons, such as ‘House of the Dragon,’ ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘The White Lotus,’ and ‘Euphoria,’ along with exciting new releases such as ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and many more for years to come.”
Don’t hate us ’trigger you ain’t us, WBD stated. OK, once more, they actually didn’t. Right here’s what a Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson emailed us:
“The HBO and Max licensing agreements expire at the end of 2025, and this lawsuit is a baseless attempt by Sky and Comcast to try and gain leverage in its negotiations for our programming beyond that date. We know HBO branded shows are critical to Sky, as evidenced by their desire for over a year to find a way to renew our agreements, and this lawsuit makes it clear that Sky is deeply concerned about the viability of its business were it to lose our award-winning content. WBD will vigorously defend itself from this unfounded lawsuit as we move forward undeterred with plans to launch Max, including the new HBO Harry Potter series, in the UK and other European markets in 2026.”
HBO intends to make seven seasons of the Potter present, each encompassing one in every of Rowling’s books.
