Turner’s TBS is about to launch a new annual television tradition by presenting all six originalStar Wars moviestogether on Thursday, May 4, also known around the world as Star Wars Day. TBS will present the original classics in order, rolling out the entire saga chronologically over 16+ hours. The marathon is set to kick off at 6:40 a.m. (ET/PT) withStar Wars: The Phantom Menaceand close with an 8:15 p.m. telecast ofStar Wars: Return of the Jedi, presented with limited commercial interruption.
Star Warsfans adopted the slogan “May the Fourth be with You” in recent years as a rallying cry to proclaim their love of the saga on May 4, a day which fans have designated to celebrate all thingsStar Wars. Lucasfilm, the film company that created Star Wars, has fully embraced the spirit of fandom that makes the day so special by spreading the word and showcasing fan activity through StarWars.com and the officialStar Wars social mediachannels. TBS has debuted a promo for thisStar Warsmarathon, which you may check out below.
Turner is able to put together aStar Wars marathonthanks to licensing agreements announced in September with The Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox. The agreements grantTBS& TNT the exclusive linear basic cable and companion ad-supported on-demand rights to the original six films, as well as the network premiere windows for the recent blockbustersStar Wars: The Force AwakensandRogue One: A Star Wars Story, the upcomingStar Wars: The Last Jedi, which hits theaters on Dec. 15; and the following two yet-to-be-releasedStar Warsfilms.
TBS’s plans to make its Star Wars Day marathon an annual television tradition similar to the network’s 24 Hours ofA Christmas Story,Friendsfor Thanksgiving and Festivus for the Rest of Us marathons. TBS’s first-ever Star Wars Day marathon on Thursday, May 4 kicks off at 6:40 a.m. (ET/PT) withStar Wars: The Phantom Menace, followed byStar Wars: Attack of the Clonesat 9:25 a.m. (ET/PT),Star Wars: Revenge of the Sithat 12:20 p.m. (ET/PT),Star Wars: A New Hopeat 3:10 p.m. (ET/PT),Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Backat 5:40 p.m. (ET/PT) andStar Wars: Return of the Jediat 8:15 p.m. (ET/PT).
TBS, a division of Turner, is basic cable’s #1 entertainment network with young adults and home to six of the most popular and critically acclaimed new comedies on cable,Angie Tribeca,The Detour,Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,People of Earth,Search PartyandWrecked, as well as the animated hitAmerican Dad!Upcoming comedies includeThe Guest Book,The Cops,TarantulaandFinal Space. TBS also presents late-night comedy in the form ofConan, starring Conan O’Brien, andFull Frontal with Samantha Bee, and will soon launch the competition seriesDrop the Mic, hosted by Method Man and Hailey Baldwin. In addition, the TBS lineup includes popular comedy hits likeFamily Guy,The Cleveland Show,Bob’s Burgers,The Big Bang Theory,New Girland2 Broke Girls; blockbuster movies; and live coverage of Major League Baseball’s regular and post-season play, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and ELEAGUE, Turner’s eSports gaming league. Take a look at the new preview for theStar WarsDay marathon on Thursday, May 4.
