Paramount signs multi-year licensing deal to bring ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts’ to linear TV

Paramount has signed a multi-year licensing deal to make Paramount networks the exclusive linear home for the “Harry Potter” film franchise, extending the movies’ reach to traditional broadcast and cable channels, the company announced through an industry report on June 25. Under the agreement, Paramount Network and multiple ViacomCBS branded channels will begin airing the franchise’s 11 feature films. Starting July 3, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick At Nite and Paramount Network will air the eight “Harry Potter” films and the three “Fantastic Beasts” spinoffs, according to the report. The deal establishes the outlets as the exclusive linear distributors for the films in that distribution window. The announcement means the films’ scheduled television presence will shift to Paramount’s linear portfolio, at least for the duration of the multi-year term described by the report. For viewers who primarily access the franchise through streaming services, the new schedule represents a broadening of viewing routes, with the films slated for appointment viewing on major children and family-oriented networks. The eight “Harry Potter” films and the three “Fantastic Beasts” films have long formed one of the best-known modern film franchises globally, and the new linear placement is positioned as a way to deepen Paramount’s family programming slate. The report indicates the arrangement gives Paramount exclusive linear rights across Paramount’s network lineup, consolidating distribution through a single corporate umbrella rather than spreading premieres across multiple linear competitors. For advertisers and programming planners, the shift has practical implications. Linear rights deals can affect seasonal scheduling, promotional calendars, and how networks build family-oriented weekend and holiday programming blocks. The July 3 start date, being early in the summer schedule cycle, suggests networks will use the franchise content to drive regular programming engagement during peak viewing months. The report did not describe specific financial terms, the length of the licensing agreement, or whether additional channels within the Paramount ecosystem are included beyond those named. It also did not specify whether the films will air in full or include any localized edits, and viewers would need to rely on program listings closer to the July 3 start for the exact air times and weekend-weekday rotation. Paramount’s licensing move follows a broader industry pattern in which studios and rights holders use multi-year contracts to stabilize distribution for major franchises across both streaming and linear platforms. In this case, the report frames Paramount’s role as exclusive for linear rights, making the announced schedule a key reference point for cable and broadcast audiences looking to watch the films without requiring a streaming subscription.

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