ITV Acquires 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' Other Warner Bros. Titles

U.K. broadcaster ITV is continuing its relationship with Warner Bros. by acquiring free-to-air broadcast rights to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as well as a number of other titles from the studio, it was announced Tuesday by Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, president, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution and Angela Jain, director of digital channels and acquisitions, ITV.

This continues a relationship on the Harry Potter movies that goes back six years. To support the release of the movies on its channel, ITV has produced five Harry Potter: Behind The Scene Magic TV specials hosted by Ben Shephard, and the program 50 Greatest Harry Potter Moments during that time.

“ITV has been a great supporter of the films produced by the studio over the years,” said Schlesinger, “and this deal once again illustrates the continuing value of top quality feature films to broadcast networks.”

In addition to the multi-year deal for the sixth Harry Potter movie, other pictures in the package include 300, I Am Legend and Body of Lies.

ITV also renewed licenses for other Warner Bros.’ movies including The Matrix trilogy, Troy, Mystic River and the two Scooby Doo feature films: Scooby Doo and Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.