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Robyn Ruder
In what is easily a record-setting five-year deal, HBO Max has secured the exclusive domestic streaming rights to The Big Bang Theory. As part of the pact with Warner Bros. Television, the multicamera comedy, created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, has also extended its syndication deal with TBS and will air on the WarnerMedia-owned basic cable network through 2028.
All 12 seasons of the series starring Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco will be available to stream for the first time ever on WarnerMedia-backed HBO Max when the direct-to-consumer service launches in the spring. (A formal launch date has not yet been announced.)
Sources estimate that the deal, including both the streaming end and syndication extension, is worth billions of dollars. By comparison, HBO Max paid $425 million over five years ($85 million per year) to move the mega-hit Friends from Netflix and onto its own platform. (Friends, like Big Bang Theory, is produced by Warners.)
During its run, the nerdy comedy, which co-starred Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, became a global phenomenon. The TBS deal helped expose the show to new viewers, which bolstered viewership for originals on CBS. The stars as well as creators Lorre and Prady and exec producers Molaro and Holland are all said to have ownership points on Big Bang Theory. Lorre, sources say, is the biggest profit participant involved and stands to pocket anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of the staggering new streaming and syndication deal. (Representatives for HBO Max, Warners and Lorre all declined to comment on financial terms of the deal.)
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The Big Bang Theory! Amazon was the place to go to get all the back seasons. However, not being a Prime member, Amazon is starting to restrict sales of some items to its members. Will shows like the Big Bang Theory be one of them?
Creating another level within Amazon, will not increase their sales. The Prime-exclusive membership is just a copy cat of what Netflix has been doing all along. Except Netflix doesn't have all the hidden costs.
The restricting of the non-Amazon produced items is troubling. Since other online outlets have the non-Amazon items, why would Amazon want to resist them? It makes me think of the quote "if it isn't broke - don't fit it".
Being able to watch as many movies as I want, and the ability to share with up to three people - Netflix got my attention. With busy lives, and kids going here and there - it has saved me more than once. The truth however is, that Netflix doesn't have the latest and greatest hits rolling out as fast as some of their competitors (neither does Amazon), but Netflix is at least consistent, and there are no restrictions. Netflix still has their DVD options to buy, but it is easier to go to Google Play, or a host of other locations if you want to augment your viewing on demand preferences.
As someone who uses their mobile data for everything, streaming is important to me. It doesn't matter if it is checking my mail, watching the news, downloading/streaming movies, or making a purchase -I want my online experience to be seamless. The whole opt in/opt out, or become a member / super-prime-mega-star member scenario is just bad mojo to me. I don't want to deal with a business marketing strategy that is built on a copy cat system made up by your competitor, except yours includes hidden fees you added as some kind of bonus.
Amazon might be cutting off its own foot despite itself. Amazon doesn't control non-Amazon products. That is a serious turnoff to a buyer like myself. The non-Amazon producers should also consider this when they allow someone to lock-up their product. Or at least have the good sense to list in a variety of other online locations.
Both services allow for watching as many movies as you want , on any number of devices. Just about the only good thing about Amazon is you can download a movie for later viewing offline, and you get a two-day free shipping on some items. Which neither are relevant to me.
Getting back to Netflix, I do have some issues with their service. Netflix could use an upgrade to more current movies and shows. To be honest I'm not much into the shows they have developed on their own. Same with Amazon, the shows aren't all that good.
I don't want to pay an upfront yearly fee to join a service like Amazon (who also has hidden prime costs). I will continue to utilize Netflix who has the same shows, but allows me to cancel and re-subscribe anytime I like, and has NO hidden prime costs.
For those who don't watch a lot of television, or do not subscribe to a paid television service, Netflix does a better job of speaking to these online buyers. More people are going the route of not subscribing to a paid television service - if for no other reason than to escape the crappy ads. If people aren't watching television, they aren't going to appreciate the hard sales coming from Amazon, Netflix, or anyone else for that matter.
The turnoff from high pressured sales and ads are just too much for this group of viewers. They don't get into to politically run media talking point programs, nor the constant deluge of negative ads about the sick and dying. That is one reason why many are dropping out of paying for television services - "it is depressing".
While my vote does go to Netflix for offering a steady and solid product, nothing will ever replace a night out at the movies. Yes, it costs more to go out and see a show, and the popcorn isn't cheap either - but the benefits are a plus.
This data point is not a great comparison when trying to predict when Season 7 will be released on Netflix, though. It is an example of an entire series (up to that point) coming to the service as opposed to a new season of a title that is already part of the Netflix library.
If Season 7 follows in Season 6's footsteps with a similar post-release streaming plan, fans can expect the show to arrive sometime in January or February 2025, eight or nine months after its finale aired on TV.
While the service only keeps one season at a time, and Season 7 is expected to leave the platform sometime in late summer, those looking to watch it now can do so on the Paramount-owned streaming platform.
Young Sheldon will be available on another streaming platform ahead of its final season. The Big Bang Theory spin-off is gearing up for its seventh and last year as the Coopers prepare to say goodbye. Last week, CBS announced that Young Sheldon is ending with season 7 despite its continued popularity. The series will return in February 2024 before coming to a close in May.
Before that, however, Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed on a licensing deal with Netflix in the United States, which means that the first five seasons of the show will be available on the streamer, as reported by Deadline. Previously, The Big Bang Theory and its prequel were exclusively available on Max. It will be available starting on November 24.
For context, Young Sheldon is already accessible on Netflix outside the US. In 2021, the streaming giant included the family comedy in its catalog for Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Still, it is likely that its arrival on the platform locally will help boost the viewership when it returns on CBS early next year. Perhaps the licensing agreement even has something to do with the end of the show. Despite its pre-determined end thanks to The Big Bang Theory's canon, there were hopes that it was going to continue for at least one more year simply because it's very popular.
Jim Parsons, portraying Sheldon Cooper, not only became the standout of The Big Bang Theory but also pioneered the creation and production of its successful prequel, Young Sheldon.
It's worth noting, however, that only the first five seasons of Young Sheldon will be available on Netflix when it debuts. Those who want to be fully caught up with the show before the final season premieres still need to access Max for season 6. It's currently uncertain if Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix's licensing deal includes seasons 6 and 7 eventually also landing on the streamer.
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