Warner Bros. Faces Lawsuit Over Harry Potter
The Sky Group media giant is taking legal action against Warner Bros. regarding the rights to co-produce a new Harry Potter TV series, as indicated in court documents. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
UK-based Sky Group has initiated a lawsuit against the US-based Warner Bros. studio, claiming a breach of agreement regarding the co-production of a new TV series inspired by the Harry Potter franchise, according to court documents. Sky alleges that Warner has failed to uphold an agreement for co-producing shows alongside Max, the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max, which is owned by Warner.
The co-production agreement was established in 2019 when Warner was under the ownership of AT&T. This deal stipulated that Warner was to annually present Sky with four Max shows for co-funding, co-production, and exclusive distribution to Sky viewers in the UK and other European territories.
Sky contends that after Warner's separation from AT&T and its merger with Discovery to create Warner Bros. Discovery in 2021, it has not delivered on the terms of their deal. In its lawsuit, Sky further alleges that Warner has deliberately excluded it from the new series that has gained significant popularity.
“Warner’s reason for refusing to honor its obligations to Sky could not be more clear. Warner has chosen to keep the Harry Potter Series for itself and make the blockbuster Series the cornerstone of its own Max rollout in Europe,” Sky stated. The company also noted that being left out of the franchise could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue “at the very least.”
“The loss of the opportunity to partner in the funding and production of the wholly unique and irreplaceable Harry Potter series cannot be completely or adequately quantified,” Sky pointed out, adding that the estimated value of the Harry Potter brand is “at least $25 billion.”
Sky is now seeking compensation for the damages purportedly inflicted by Warner’s failure to comply with its obligations. Additionally, the company demands that the Harry Potter series be “immediately submitted” for co-production in line with their agreement.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. dismissed the lawsuit on Friday as a “baseless attempt” by Sky “to try and gain leverage” in ongoing discussions regarding content distribution after their current agreements expire in late 2025.
“We know HBO branded shows are critical to Sky… that Sky is deeply concerned about the viability of its business were it to lose our award-winning content,” the spokesperson remarked.
Warner revealed plans for the new Harry Potter series in April 2023, with franchise author J.K. Rowling set to be an executive producer. Casting has already commenced, and production is expected to begin next April, although the series does not yet have a designated release date.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
The co-production agreement was established in 2019 when Warner was under the ownership of AT&T. This deal stipulated that Warner was to annually present Sky with four Max shows for co-funding, co-production, and exclusive distribution to Sky viewers in the UK and other European territories.
Sky contends that after Warner's separation from AT&T and its merger with Discovery to create Warner Bros. Discovery in 2021, it has not delivered on the terms of their deal. In its lawsuit, Sky further alleges that Warner has deliberately excluded it from the new series that has gained significant popularity.
“Warner’s reason for refusing to honor its obligations to Sky could not be more clear. Warner has chosen to keep the Harry Potter Series for itself and make the blockbuster Series the cornerstone of its own Max rollout in Europe,” Sky stated. The company also noted that being left out of the franchise could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue “at the very least.”
“The loss of the opportunity to partner in the funding and production of the wholly unique and irreplaceable Harry Potter series cannot be completely or adequately quantified,” Sky pointed out, adding that the estimated value of the Harry Potter brand is “at least $25 billion.”
Sky is now seeking compensation for the damages purportedly inflicted by Warner’s failure to comply with its obligations. Additionally, the company demands that the Harry Potter series be “immediately submitted” for co-production in line with their agreement.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. dismissed the lawsuit on Friday as a “baseless attempt” by Sky “to try and gain leverage” in ongoing discussions regarding content distribution after their current agreements expire in late 2025.
“We know HBO branded shows are critical to Sky… that Sky is deeply concerned about the viability of its business were it to lose our award-winning content,” the spokesperson remarked.
Warner revealed plans for the new Harry Potter series in April 2023, with franchise author J.K. Rowling set to be an executive producer. Casting has already commenced, and production is expected to begin next April, although the series does not yet have a designated release date.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
