‘Harry Potter’ TV Marathons Move: Everything We Know About New Wizarding Weekends

Harry Potter Weekends have disapparated from Freeform. The network lost the rights to the Warner Bros. movies earlier this month, but never fear, Potterheads. Harry, Hermione and Ron have a new home on U.S. television.

NBC Universal nabbed the rights to the “Harry Potter” films as well as the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, so the magical movies will air on NBC-owned channels. The first Harry Potter Wizarding Weekend marathon will be hosted on both Syfy and USA Network simultaneously.

The marathon kicks off Friday at 8 p.m. EDT with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” USA and Syfy will air director’s cuts of the first six films this weekend, and fans will be able to watch all eight films with limited commercial interruption. Below is the schedule for the marathon, which gives viewers a chance to watch most of the films twice.

Friday, July 13

• “Sorcerer’s Stone” at 8 p.m. EDT
• “Chamber of Secrets” at 11:05 p.m. EDT

Saturday, July 14

• “Sorcerer’s Stone” at 7:30 a.m. EDT
• “Chamber of Secrets” at 10:52 a.m. EDT
• “Prisoner of Azkaban” at 2:23 p.m. EDT
• “Goblet of Fire” at 5 p.m. EDT
• “Order of the Phoenix” at 8 p.m. EDT
• “Prisoner of Azkaban” at 10:41 p.m. EDT

Sunday, July 15

• “Goblet of Fire” at 8 a.m. EDT
• “Order of the Phoenix” at 11:21 a.m. EDT
• “Half-Blood Prince” at 2:18 p.m. EDT
• “Deathly Hallows Part 1” at 5:18 p.m. EDT
• “Deathly Hallows Part 2” at 8 p.m. EDT
• “Half-Blood Prince” at 10:28 p.m. EDT

The USA and Syfy marathons will be filled with magical extras, many of which were created just for the new programming stunts. A press release notes that the networks will show “hours of new footage delving deeper into the mythology of Harry Potter, trivia and fun facts to test even the most advanced wizard’s acumen, behind-the-scenes footage and fresh interviews with cast members and production crew dishing on their favorite moments.”

Among the interviewees are Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander from “Fantastic Beasts”) as well as James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley). Fans will also get their moment on the small screen as there will be testimonials from Potterheads at San Diego Comic Con and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Expect the marathons to promote the theme park, part of Universal Studios, as well as the London Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

While J.K. Rowling devotees were used to Hogwarts appearing on Freeform last year and then HBO for the first half of 2018, they can get comfortable watching Wizarding Weekends on USA and Syfy. NBC Universal has the films through April 2025, and they have the rights to “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” as well. The first film in the new franchise will debut on the NBC-owned channels in 2019. The deal is reportedly worth over $200 million.

Though this particular marathon is the simply called Harry Potter Wizarding Weekend, USA and Syfy plan to switch up the titles. They also have the Back To Hogwarts Marathon, Dark Arts Marathon, Wizarding World Week and a “special Christmas Marathon” to look forward to.