Big Bang Theory streaming exclusive with HBO Max in $1 billion deal

WarnerMedia has just signed a gigantic $1 billion deal to grab exclusive rights to one of the biggest TV shows ever; The Big Bang Theory. It will be an exclusive on HBO Max for five years.

Another big part of this deal are the syndication rights on traditional cable TV, especially for a show the size and popularity of The Big Bang Theory. The $1 billion deal will see the syndication deal extended with TBS and have the show air on the WarnerMedia-owned basic cable network all the way through to 2028.

All 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory will be available to stream on HBO Max when its direct-to-consumer service launches in 2020. The Big Bang Theory is one of the biggest bangs in TV history (I had to) where after its 12-season run it became the longest-running multi-camera comedy series ever (beating Cheers!), and laid claim to the #1 scripted half-hour in the most-important 18-49 demographic.

The show has won 55 Emmy nominations, and securing 10 of them in its 12-season run.

Robert Greenblatt, chairman of WarnerMedia Enterainment and direct-to-consumer said: "Few shows define a generation and capture mainstream zeitgeist like The Big Bang Theory. We're thrilled that HBO Max will be the exclusive streaming home for this comedy juggernaut when we launch in the spring of 2020. This show has been a hit virtually around the globe, it's one of the biggest shows on broadcast television of the last decade, and the fact that we get to bring it to a streaming platform for the first time in the U.S. is a coup for our new offering".

HBO Max is now home to The Big Bang Theory, and another legendary and beyond-huge TV show; Friends. HBO is home to some of its own big shows including Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, while WarnerMedia also includes The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the CW shows, and so much more.

The move comes days after WarnerMedia signed a $250 million deal with J.J. Abrams, the creator of Lost (and countless other projects as well as directing Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker. Not only that, but then Netflix secured a 5-year streaming deal for Seinfeld worth over $500 million.