You can now get your 'Harry Potter' fix all on one streaming platform
Much to the delight of users, all eight Harry Potter films hit HBO Max on its opening day. HBO Max just launched today (May 27) and is already hosting a number of heavy-hitting franchises.
The Harry Potter acquisition comes as a major surprise to users of the streaming platform because they were told back in January that a licensing deal made with NBCUniversal prevented it from happening.
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HBO Max was initially revealed at the tail end of 2018 with a slew of shows announced for its launch shortly after.
“Even in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, the all-star teams behind every aspect of HBO Max will deliver a platform and a robust slate of content that is varied, of the highest quality, and second to none,” Chairman of Warner Media Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer Robert Greenblatt says in a press release. “I’m knocked out by the breadth and depth of our new offering, from the Max originals, our Warner Bros library and acquisition titles from around the world, and of course the entirety of HBO.”
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But, we found out in January that one massively-anticipated franchise would most likely be absent—Harry Potter.
“Harry Potter is tied up with another programming group,” Michael Quigley, the executive vice president of content acquisitions at TNT, TBS, TruTV, HBO, and HBO Max, said back in January.
The other programming group is NBCUniversal who acquired an exclusive deal for all Warner Bros’ J. K. Rowling’s Wizarding World movies including the Fantastic Beasts films.
The contract began in July 2018 and goes through April 2025. But, when discussing HBO Max in January, its chief content officer Kevin Reilly said, “You can’t have our experience without Harry Potter.” He gave no timetable of when fans could expect Harry Potter so it seemed unlikely they would arrive at launch.
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Well, they did. When HBO Max users booted up the streaming platform for the first time, they were surprised to see all eight Harry Potter films as well as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is not on HBO Max at this time which could have something to do with the licensing deal.
Harry Potter fans are obviously thrilled at the news that HBO Max is offering the films. Check out some reactions below.
HBO Max got all 8 Harry Potter films 😩🙏🏽
— B (@breannasimone__) May 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/adavis455/status/1265686770387124227
all harry potter films are on HBO max so i will be excusing myself for the next week
— Angel (@ngelvsworld) May 27, 2020
HBO MAX GOT ALL THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES IN ONE PLACE I'M SCREAMING CRYING LOSING MY MIND ASF;LSKJFL;SKJF;LSKFJSLKJFSLKJF
— ludicrously capacious handbag (@aprilll_grace) May 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/meangirl33/status/1265685747417448448
https://twitter.com/Dom_The_Mom/status/1265684565319987200
HBO Max also includes The Lord Of The Rings, South Park, Gossip Girl, Rick And Morty, The Matrix and a whole lot more. You can learn more about HBO Max and sign up for a free 7-day trial here.
Are you excited that Harry Potter is on HBO Max? Sound off in the comments below!
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