It looks like you’ll have to watch ‘Harry Potter’ the old way now
Well, Halloween came and went and it looks like the Harry Potter films have, too.
On Nov. 1, all eight Harry Potter films were removed from NBC‘s Peacock. This latest move means that the franchise is no longer available to watch on any U.S. streaming platform. However, fans shouldn’t panic just yet.
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Harry Potter has been in a streaming platform war over the past few years. The franchise made its way onto HBO Max earlier this year. However, after only a few weeks, all of the films were moved to NBC’s Peacock in October.
The films were set to appear on Peacock for at least the month of October. However, Potterheads quickly learned on Nov. 1 that the franchise is no longer available on the streaming platform.
Oct 31 joins Nov 1
peacock peacock
to watch removes
Harry harry potter
Potter series pic.twitter.com/NfR3aetT6r— BEᴺᵒᵛ ²⁰ (@uforeeyah) November 1, 2020
Whoever at Universal or Peacock decided to take Harry Potter off streaming services before Election Day needs to be shipped to Azkaban
— Brandon (@iLikeDanzDaily) November 3, 2020
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Despite the news, fans shouldn’t panic just yet. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the films will make their return to Peacock sometime in 2021. NBCUniversal says that the franchise will be available in windows, meaning they will come on and off the platform over the next six months and into next year.
NBC’s Peacock further confirmed these plans on Twitter this week.
yall are lucky i commented on peacocks tweet asking for harry potter back
DO NOT FRET, HARRY POTTER WILL BE BACK pic.twitter.com/jqWYt5yqTZ
— chloe (@chloesweasley) November 1, 2020
NBCUniversal’s current deal with the franchise is likely to blame for the shuffling around of the films. According to the Verge, WarnerMedia signed a deal with NBCUniversal in 2016. The agreement gives NBCUniversal exclusive rights to the Harry Potter franchise through 2025.
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Now, according to SlashFilm, NBCUniversal’s deal dictates that the eight films have to air alongside the Fantastic Beasts movies on both the Syfy and USA networks. Once this deal expires, WarnerMedia has the option to try and acquire the rights again. For now, the films will be available to watch on cable only until they make a return to Peacock next year.
Naturally, Harry Potter fans aren’t too happy to see the franchise move around streaming platforms so frequently.
HBO Max and Peacock both telling me if I sign up for them I can have a little bit of Harry Potter to watch when I’m blue. pic.twitter.com/ZwlpnXcfcL
— julia alexander (@loudmouthjulia) November 3, 2020
HBO Max and Peacock really had Harry Potter for like a total of 4 days and then decided to take them off.
— Dal ? (@dalsweatshirt) November 3, 2020
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THEY TOOK HARRY POTTER OFF PEACOCK WTFFFFFFF
— millie ♡’s philo (@rainberrygolden) November 3, 2020
i cant believe peacock took off harry potter LIKE I WAS ABOUT TO WATCH THE LAST 2 MOVIES
— gatinita (@98CATB0Y) November 3, 2020
i know peacock did not take harry potter off when i was on the 6th one. tf
— sara (@yellowsidelines) November 2, 2020
Bold of the NBC Peacock app to take all the Harry Potter movies off the weekend before I’ll need them to get me through this news cycle… I need my Emotional Support Young Adult Franchise!
— natalie grim (@natalieegrim) November 2, 2020
What are your thoughts on the films getting removed from Peacock? Let us know in the comments below.
