HBO Max just landed one of the biggest sitcoms of all-time. Along with the already announced acquisition of Friends, HBO Max has also landed the exclusive streaming rights to The Big Bang Theory.
HBO Max had already shelled out $425 million for Friends which took it away from Netflix. The Big Bang Theory, along with Friends, come from Warners Bros. TV so this keeps both of the popular sitcoms under the same umbrella. This marks the first ever streaming pact for past seasons of The Big Bang Theory, which recently finished its 12-season run on CBS.
Under the five-year deal, all 279 episodes of Big Bang will be available on HBO Max when it launches in spring of 2020. In conjunction with that, WarnerMedia’s TBS, which has been Big Bang‘s off-network home from the start, has extended its agreement to continue airing the show through 2028.
The financial details of the pact are a bit complex. The deal took months to negotiate and, as of now, they’re not being disclosed. The stipulations in co-creator/executive producer Chuck Lorre’s deal with WBTV were said to be sticking points. Reportedly, it is significantly bigger than the $425 million Friends deal and in the neighborhood of The Office’s $500+, ranking among the biggest streaming pacts ever. All in, it is valued at north of $600 million.
News of HBO Max’s deal for Big Bang comes on the heels of the announcement that Seinfeld will be headed exclusively to Netflix in 2021. HBO Max did make a play for Seinfeld but Big Bang was always their first priority.
