The WB is making a major push into theatrical films, committing to a multimillion-dollar package for New Line’s Lord of the Rings trilogy in a shared, decade-long network window with Turner’s TBS and TNT.

The minimum fee for the three films is about $75 million, but the overall price could climb to roughly $160 million or more depending on the sequels’ box-office returns; Fellowship has already earned north of $250 million and remains in theaters.

Because New Line, the WB and Turner are all part of AOL Time Warner, the arrangement keeps the rights in-house, yet it still represents the largest single movie acquisition the WB has ever arranged and signals interest in more first-run theatrical titles.

Turner will control how the network window is used, determining the scheduling across TBS, TNT and the WB — a notable twist that gives cable leverage in network premieres.

Turner also has an output agreement with New Line guaranteeing the network window for as many as 14 feature films, including upcoming titles such as Rush Hour 2, Austin Powers 3 and Blade 2.

Before the films reach TBS, TNT or the WB, premium channel Starz — which has an output deal with New Line — will have an exclusive pay-TV window of roughly 18 months, beginning about a year after each movie’s theatrical debut.

Network groups are increasingly coordinating with their cable siblings to buy theatrical product across platforms: ABC has been pairing with the Disney Channel and ABC Family for movie rights, while Fox and FX have long shared acquisitions, most recently bundling a slate of 20th Century Fox releases.

CBS has been more cautious after weak ratings for its Sunday movie showcase, but with its takeover of UPN and access to the retooling TNN cable channel, industry observers expect CBS to re-enter multi-platform theatrical buying.

As for scheduling the Fellowship network premiere, one idea under consideration is to stagger airings between TNT and the WB over a long weekend, leveraging cross-promotion and the strong audience pull TNT demonstrated when The Mummy attracted roughly 11 million adults 18–49 during multiple weekend broadcasts.

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch? The beloved Harry Potter film series chronicles the magical adventures of a young wizard who discovers his extraordinary heritage while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, facing the evil Lord Voldemort and forming lifelong friendships along the way. For those wondering where to watch harry potter, the films are available on streaming services including HBO Max and Amazon Prime, though availability varies by region - some fans may need to rent digitally if the movies aren't included in their subscription services.

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