Disney will be releasing all 11 of their Star Wars films to their linear channels, including ABC, FX, and Freeform. This news comes after Disney made an arrangement with Warner Bros. Discovery Turner Networks, who currently has the rights to air the films and will continue to carry the movies as well, according to Deadline.
Usually, when you see the “Star Wars” films on television, you need to go to Turner to do so and Disney+ for streaming, at least for the six George Lucas films. That deal has expired, and under this new deal, Turner will share “co-exclusive multi-year deal aligns the terms of the 11 films for both the Disney and the Turner networks, which will end at the same time.”
When Disney gained control of Fox in 2019, they also gained back the broadcast rights for the first “Star Wars” film, “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Even after Disney bought the “Star Wars” franchise, the first film’s rights remained with Fox. When they purchased Fox, they got the rights back for the first film and the others. Of course, they tried to buy back the linear television rights for the other ten films from Warner but instead reached an agreement allowing the films to air on Disney+.
This new deal allows Disney to put the films on Disney-owned channels in conjunction with Warner-owned Turner channels, and they aren’t wasting any time. Disney plans on airing a marathon of the first three Star Wars films “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” along with the animated “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” on FX, tomorrow October 7, 2023.
Given how the “Star Wars” franchise has been in decline, Disney likely wants to increase exposure on broadcast television to try and gain more of an audience. “Ahsoka” viewership is also said to have dropped, so Disney is likely hoping that by running a marathon of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” they can increase viewership to the new “Star Wars” show along with possible subscribers for Disney+.
Source: Deadline
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