TNT and TBS Will Be Exclusive Basic Cable Homes for the Star Wars Films

Lucasfilm

Basic cable viewers have gotten used to having to flip around the dial every few years to see which network currently had the rights to air the classic Star Wars movies. Spike TV had them for a while and would frequently show holiday marathons of George Lucas’ smash-hit franchise, but I recall seeing the films on Syfy and maybe elsewhere, too. But now fans will have one-stop shopping for their basic cable SW needs. Turner announced that it has entered into multi-year licensing agreements with The Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox that grant TNT and TBS the exclusive linear basic cable, and companion ad-supported on-demand rights, to Star Wars.

The agreement with Disney is for 10 films, including three as-yet-to-be-released movies. This includes the network premiere windows to last year’s enormous hit Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which opens in theaters Dec. 16. The Disney deal also includes five of the six original Star Wars films, while a separate agreement with 20th Century Fox gives Turner the rights to the very first film, A New Hope. Turner is now the only company with basic cable rights to all 11 titles in the iconic collection of movies.

In the wake of this news, TNT is not wasting any time in getting eyeballs to its screen. Next Tuesday, Sept. 20, the network will kick off a six-night marathon of the original six Star Wars movies. These movies will also air in December, tying in with the Rogue One theatrical release. TNT is set to premiere The Force Awakens in early 2018, followed in 2019 by Rogue One.

TNT Star Wars Marathon

Tuesday, Sept. 20

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

Wednesday, Sept. 21

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Thursday, Sept. 22

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Friday, Sept. 23

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope

10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope

Saturday, Sept. 24

10:45 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

1:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

4:55 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Sunday, Sept. 25

5:15 a.m. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

8:15 a.m. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

11:20 a.m. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

2:25 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope

5:10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

2 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

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