The Streaming Wars rage on as Chuck Lorre enters the mix. WarnerMedia’s upcoming streaming service, HBO Max has been gathering up intellectual properties for its launch in 2020, and now it has turned its sights on two of network cable’s most popular sitcoms. HBO Max is reportedly looking to spend over a billion dollars to acquire the rights toThe Big Bang TheoryandTwo and a Half Men.
It had previously been reported that WarnerMedia was hoping to get its hands onBig Bangfor over $1 billion on its own, but now they hope to bundle it with the Kutcher-led sitcom for a deal worth an estimated $1.5 billion.
The Big Bang Theoryended this May after 12 seasons. It followed roommates and scientistsSheldon Cooperand Leonard Hofstadter as they navigated the world of academics, Geekdom and relationships. Things got complicated when the waitress Penny moved in and started the long will-they-won’t-they storyline with Johnny Galecki’s Leonard.
The ensemble cast grew over the years to include their friends Raj, Howard, Amy and Bernadette. The enduring series saw years of nominations and win, cast strikes, and famous guest stars that included Bob Newhart, Summer Glau,Wil Wheaton, Mark Hamill, and Stephen Hawking. Riding on the show’s success, CBS launched the spinoff seriesYoung Sheldonthat continues to pull in viewers.
Two and a Half Menalso ran for 12 season, but shuffled through a couple of leading men. After Charlie Sheen’s departure from the series in 2011, Ashton Kutcher took up the mantle as Walden Schmidt alongside Jon Cryer’s Alan Harper and Angus T. Jones' Jake Harper.Two and a Half Menreceived mixed reviews throughout its run, but generally maintained its popularity until it ended in 2015.
The streamer also announced it would be exclusively offering The BBC’s originalThe Office,LutherandDoctor Whoas well. Overall, popular comedies have become a hot commodity in the Streaming Wars. NBCUniversal paid over $500 million for the American version ofThe Officeheadlined by Steve Carell, Disney Plus will be addingThe Simpsons, and now that it has lostFriendsandThe Office, Netflix is continuing its relationship with Nick Kroll’sBig Mouthand the popularGrace & Frankie.
Once the most watched show on television,The Big Bang Theorywould be a massive win forHBO Max, but as new information pours in, the prospects for each streaming service is constantly changing. Disney recently announced its $12.99 bundle that will include Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Netflix is losing much of its borrowed content, but it still has active multi-project deals with creators like David Benioff, DB Weiss and Ryan Murphy. HBO Max has original content coming down the pipeline including an anthology starring Anna Kendrick calledLove Life, aDunespinoff calledDune: Sisterhood, andThe Flight AttendantwithBig Bang’sKaley Cuoco. Apple TV+ details have been scarce, but the massive company is bound to have big things in store for us. This news came to us viaDeadline
