Star Wars has long been exploring the galaxies, and now, the franchise is venturing out onto more broadcast networks. Disney sealed a new deal with Turner Networks, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, to bring all eleven films to more places than ever.
This new multi-year deal will bring the franchise to more of Disney’s networks, like FX and ABC, while keeping the entire catalog available on Turner and streaming on Disney+, according to Deadline. Under the new deal, licensing rights for all eleven movies will expire at the same time.
Disney was not immediately available for comment.
Those who haven’t already ditched cable and headed to streaming can catch a movie marathon this Saturday on FX. A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi aired on October 7, followed by Star Wars: The Clone Wars, an animated movie not previously included in the 2016 rights deal.
Turner Networks already has a licensing agreement with Disney, signed in 2016 for $250 million, granting it permission to air the first six Star Wars films through last September. Turner also holds the rights to the more recent movies, which expire separately over the next few years.
In 2019, Disney tried to buy back the rights from Turner Networks. Instead, the companies agreed Turner could keep the linear rights to Star Wars and Disney+ could add the entire franchise to its streaming service, where it continues to remain. The renegotiated deal only means the films will be available to a larger audience.
If you don’t already have Disney+ or physical copies, you can keep an eye on local listings to see when the movies will be playing on their local Disney broadcast affiliate stations. Or sign up for a Disney+ membership to watch the films and the spinoff shows whenever you want, starting at $9.99 with Hulu or $12.99 a month for ESPN+ as well.