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NBCUniversal gets exclusive TV rights to Harry Potter films until 2025

NBCUniversal gets exclusive TV rights to Harry Potter films until 2025

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NBCUniversal just signed a massive deal with Warner Bros., giving it exclusive access to J. K. Rowling’s Wizarding World franchise and Harry Potter films, Deadline reports. The agreement will give NBCU on-air and digital rights to the Wizarding World properties, and cable TV rights (currently owned by Disney) for the eight Harry Potter films. The agreement spans from 2018 to 2025, and could be one of the biggest movie franchise deals ever, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Now you know where to find the Fantastic Beasts

The upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, starring Eddie Redmayne, is the first installment in the Wizarding World series. Warner Bros. is already working on the sequel to that movie, due out in 2018, according to Deadline. As for the Harry Potter series, NBCU plans to air director's cut versions of the films on USA Network and Syfy, according to Deadline. The two networks will also air 3D versions of the most recent Harry Potter movie, the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

The agreement between the two companies also gives Universal's theme parks rights to "exclusive content and events," which could include promotional events and screenings, according to Deadline.

WSJ reports that the deal could be worth as much as $250 million; NBCU told WSJ it's the largest movie acquisition in the company's history. The terms of the deal will take effect in July 2018.

Disclosure: Comcast Ventures and NBCUniversal are investors in Vox Media, The Verge's parent company.