HBO Max Secures 'Young Sheldon' Streaming Rights

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

HBO Max has acquired the exclusive rights to the comedy Young Sheldon, the streaming service said Friday.

The deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution calls for HBO Max -- which launched on Tuesday -- to stream the Big Bang Theory spinoff, which is currently the most watched comedy on network television with total viewers, teens and key 25-54 demos, said the streaming service. HBO Max also has rights to the 279-episode Big Bang Theory library.

“We now feel like our Big Bang offering is complete,” said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer, HBO Max, president TNT, TBS, and TruTV in a statement. “We are so proud to be the home of this beloved franchise and the place where new and existing fans can learn about young Sheldon Cooper’s roots.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.