Turner has closed multi-year licensing agreements with both Disney and 20th Century Fox that gives them exclusive linear cable rights to the entire “Star Wars” movie franchise, the company announced Wednesday.
The deals result in TNT and TBS having the right to air all six films from the first two trilogies and the rights to three upcoming films.
Last year’s hit “The Force Awakens,” directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega and Harrison Ford, will premiere on cable in 2018.
Meanwhile, Gareth Edwards‘ spinoff prequel “Rogue One” starring Felicity Jones will begin airing in 2019.
“The Star Wars movies and characters are beloved across generations, captivating audiences and breaking box office records around the globe for nearly four decades,” Deborah K. Bradley, executive vice president of networks optimization, content strategy and commercialization for Turner, said in a statement.
“Through this deal, TNT and TBS will be the exclusive basic cable home of one of the most iconic, enduring and valuable movie franchises of all time, giving viewers the chance to watch this amazing collection from the very beginning.”
George Lucas famously launched the series with the 1977 megahit “Star Wars” — which later gained the subtitle “A New Hope.”
To celebrate the new deal, TNT is airing the first two trilogies for six consecutive nights, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Here’s the full schedule of the TNT marathon.
Tuesday, Sept. 20
8 p.m. and 11 p.m. (ET/PT) – The Phantom MenaceWednesday, Sept. 21
8 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Attack of the ClonesThursday, Sept. 22
8 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Revenge of the SithFriday, Sept. 23
8 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New HopeSaturday, Sept. 24
10:45 a.m. (ET/PT) – The Phantom Menace
1:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Attack of the Clones
4:55 p.m. (ET/PT) – Revenge of the Sith
8 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – The Empire Strikes BackSunday, Sept. 25
5:15 a.m. The Phantom Menace
8:15 a.m. Attack of the Clones
11:20 a.m. Revenge of the Sith
2:25 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope
5:10 p.m. (ET/PT) – The Empire Strikes Back
8 p.m. and 11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Return of the Jedi
2 a.m. (ET/PT) – The Phantom Menace