Every ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Film Coming to Paramount’s Linear Networks

The ‘Harry Potter‘ franchise has been shifting between streaming platforms and cable networks for years, but a significant new business deal is set to firmly establish the entire Wizarding World on a fresh set of channels.

Paramount has secured a multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, which will bring all eight ‘Harry Potter’ films along with the three ‘Fantastic Beasts’ entries to MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, and Paramount Network. This move represents a notable change in where fans can find the cherished franchise on traditional television.

The timing of this agreement is particularly noteworthy amidst the larger corporate narrative unfolding in Hollywood. Recently, Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved an $81 billion sale of the company to Paramount, a megamerger valued at nearly $111 billion, including debt.

The DOJ’s antitrust division gave the green light to the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger just under two weeks before this licensing deal was revealed, although there are still additional regulatory challenges to address before the transaction is fully finalized. This licensing arrangement indicates that Paramount is already treating its newly acquired Warner Bros. properties as part of its own.

Under the new agreement, Paramount will be the exclusive linear home for the eleven films, kicking off with an all-day marathon of every ‘Harry Potter’ movie on MTV from noon ET/PT on July 3 through July 5. This marathon programming event is a perfect fit for the franchise and sets an exciting tone for the network’s new Wizarding World presence.

Following the MTV marathon, Paramount Network will continue the celebration starting July 13, airing one film each weeknight at 6 p.m. ET/PT through July 19, with weekend showings beginning at noon. Nick at Nite will then take over with its own week-long showcase of the eight ‘Harry Potter’ films starting August 9 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. This staggered rollout across various Paramount properties clearly shows the company’s intent to maximize promotional opportunities from the acquisition.

Laurel Weir, head of programming and acquisitions for Paramount Media Networks, described the franchise as one of the most beloved and enduring in entertainment, emphasizing its ability to captivate audiences across generations. She mentioned to Variety that this addition allows the company to bring the magic and adventure of these timeless stories to fans of all ages across the full range of brands Paramount serves.

Previously, NBCUniversal held the linear rights to ‘Harry Potter’ under a deal that began in 2018, allowing the films to air on its cable channels. That original agreement, estimated to be worth around $250 million, also granted NBCUniversal digital rights covering both TV and streaming until 2025. The films remain available for streaming on both Peacock and HBO Max, meaning the linear shift to Paramount does not immediately disrupt where subscribers can watch them on demand.

For many who grew up watching holiday ‘Harry Potter’ marathons on USA Network and Syfy, seeing the franchise transition to Nickelodeon and MTV will feel like a true changing of the guard. Whether the broader Paramount family of channels can eventually create the same viewing traditions around the films is a question that fans and industry observers will be keenly watching. How do you think the ‘Harry Potter’ marathon tradition fits now that it has a new home across Paramount’s networks?