Paramount Networks Land 'Harry Potter' In Exclusive U.S. Linear Licensing Deal for Warner Bros.' Iconic Film Franchise

PARAMOUNT NETWORKS LAND “HARRY POTTER” IN EXCLUSIVE U.S. LINEAR LICENSING DEAL FOR WARNER BROS.’ ICONIC FILM FRANCHISE

06/25/2026

Landmark Agreement Brings “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” Films to MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite and Paramount Network, Beginning July 3

Paramount is bringing the world of “Harry Potter” to MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite and Paramount Network for the first time, starting Friday, July 3. The Company inked a multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, making Paramount’s family of brands the exclusive linear home of the beloved franchise spanning 11 films and nearly 40 hours of storytelling across the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” library.

“Expanding Paramount’s portfolio with the ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films underscores our commitment to delivering world-class franchises to the wide range of audiences our brands serve,” said Laurel Weir, head of programming and acquisitions for Paramount Media Networks and chief research and insights officer for TV Media. “As one of the most beloved and enduring franchises in entertainment, ‘Harry Potter’ continues to captivate audiences across generations, and this addition enables us to deliver the magic and adventure of these timeless stories to fans of all ages.”

The programming rollout for each network is as follows:

• MTV: MTV will debut the franchise with a special holiday weekend event, beginning Friday, July 3 at 12:00 PM, ET/PT through Sunday, July 5, featuring a marathon of all eight films from the original “Harry Potter” series.

• Paramount Network: Paramount Network will present a week-long event showcasing all eight “Harry Potter” and all three “Fantastic Beasts” films, with a featured movie each weeknight beginning Monday, July 13 at 6:00 PM, ET/PT, and continuing through Sunday, July 19, with weekend airings beginning at 12:00 PM, ET/PT.

• Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite: Nick at Nite will host a week-long event showcasing all eight “Harry Potter” movies beginning Sunday, Aug. 9 at 7:00 PM, ET/PT, with each title encoring the next day on Nickelodeon. Later in the summer, as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s annual “Back to Hogwarts” celebrations, Nickelodeon will air the “Harry Potter” films over the Labor Day holiday weekend, beginning Thursday, Sept. 3, inaugurating its own participation in the global activations.

Films Included in the Agreement

• “Harry Potter” Films

• HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE™

• HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS™

• HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN™

• HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE™

• HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX™

• HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE™

• HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS™ – PART 1

• HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS™ – PART 2

• “Fantastic Beasts” Films

• FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

• FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD

• FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE

About the “Harry Potter” Franchise

From the moment 11-year-old Harry Potter met Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his adventures have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Today, over 25 years later, the “Harry Potter” phenomenon thrives as one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment properties in history.

J.K. Rowling’s best-selling “Harry Potter” novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving, interconnected universe that is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Warner Bros. Pictures “Harry Potter” films and three epic “Fantastic Beasts” films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” mesmerizes on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before. Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences – including five theme park lands at Universal Studios locations around the world.

This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery-owned “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” offerings includes ground-breaking touring experiences and events, each developed to celebrate special moments and locations that fans cherish, as well as the Platform 9 3⁄4 retail shops and iconic flagship store – Harry Potter New York. Wizards, Witches and Muggles alike can also discover something new as they explore behind-the-scenes secrets at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.

With a new HBO Original TV series based on the “Harry Potter” books on the way, this extended world continues to provide the community with fresh and exciting ways to interact. For its global fans, and for generations to come, it invites everyone in to find the magic for themselves.

For the latest “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” news and features, visit www.harrypotter.com.

About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Content Sales

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Content Sales (WBDGCS) is one of the leading distributors of entertainment programming in the world, bringing award-winning movies, television, animation and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions worldwide. Licensing content from Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, HBO, Discovery, Cartoon Network, TBS and more, WBDGCS brings fans of Warner Bros. Discovery’s content even more ways to watch when and how they want across streaming, video-on-demand, cable, satellite and broadcast networks, local television stations, airlines and through digital purchases. For more information: www.wbd.com.

About Paramount’s TV Media Group

MTV, Paramount Network, Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite are part of Paramount’s TV Media Group, a flagship division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY). The Group encompasses the Company’s broadcast and cable television businesses, delivering world-class entertainment, news and sports across every platform. Its powerhouse portfolio includes CBS Television Network, CBS News, CBS Stations, CBS Sports and CBS Media Ventures, alongside a collection of iconic brands including BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon. The Group is also home to award-winning studios – CBS Studios, See It Now Studios, BET Studios, MTV Entertainment Studios and Nickelodeon Animation Studios – which produce original series and beloved programming that connects with audiences across platforms globally.

For more information, visit https://www.paramount.com.

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Originally published: June 25, 2026 at 23:13 BST.

H/T: Kidscreen, TheFutonCritic.com.

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What's New on Paramount+ in July 2026 | Streaming Release Schedule

Here's your guide to what's new on Paramount+ in July 2026! Try Paramount+ at ParamountPlus.com!

This article is for Paramount+ in the U.S.

Paramount has announced the lineup of movies, TV shows, and live sports coming to Paramount+ in July. The Paramount Plus July 2026 schedule includes a high‑powered mix of can’t‑miss premieres, live events, and returning fan‑favorite series across originals, sports, and live programming.

Get kitted out for Summer with the latest ranges at ParamountShop.com!

The lineup features a mix of Paramount+ originals and exclusives, including the debut of the documentary The Real Wolf of Wall Street (July 14), the streaming debut of Wardriver (July 8), and the return of the breakout comedy Diarra From Detroit (July 29). Fans can also journey back to the final frontier with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 (July 23).

Subscribers can tune in for a knockout lineup of marquee live programming and combat sports throughout the month, including UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway (July 11) – featuring McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon after five years – alongside multiple UFC Fight Night events, Zuffa Boxing 09: Berlanga vs. Butler (July 26), and more WNBA action.

The summer reality calendar heats up with the return of Big Brother Season 28 on July 9, with 24/7 live feeds, while The Great American Block Party 250 delivers a star‑studded live concert celebration on July 4. Paramount+ will also spotlight its America the Beautiful collection, featuring hundreds of films and episodes that celebrate the nation’s history, culture, and spirit, ahead of the Fourth of July.

PARAMOUNT PLUS JULY 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

Scroll down to learn more about these titles in the “Only on Paramount+” section below.

July 3: Dutton Ranch Season 1 Finale – Paramount+ Original Series

July 4: The Great American Block Party 250 – CBS Live Concert Special

July 8: Wardriver – Paramount+ Exclusive / Streaming Debut

July 9: Big Brother Season 28 – CBS Original Series**

July 11: UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway

July 14: The Real Wolf of Wall Street – NEW Paramount+ Original Documentary

July 18: UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman

July 23: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 – Paramount+ Original Series

July 25: UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Rountree Jr.

July 26: Zuffa Boxing 09: Berlanga vs. Butler

July 29: Diarra From Detroit Season 2 – Paramount+ Original Series

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY

Tuesdays: Tyler Perry’s Zatima Season 4 (season finale July 7)

Wednesdays: All The Queen’s Men Season 5 (season finale July 22)

Thursdays: Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 (season finale July 23)

Fridays: The Chi* Season 8 (series finale July 24)

Fridays: Dutton Ranch Season 1 (season finale July 3)

Fridays: RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars Season 11 (season finale July 17)

Fridays: RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked Season 8 (season finale July 17)

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

AVAILABLE JULY 1

Clifford the Big Red Dog (Season 1-2)

Clifford’s Puppy Days (Season 1-2)

Garfield and Friends (Season 1-7)

Goosebumps (Season 1-4)

Magic School Bus (Season 1-4)

PAW Patrol: Fire Rescue (new special) [N]

Super Duper Bunny League (Season 1-2) [N]

Aeon Flux

An Officer and a Gentleman

Anthropoid

Bad News Bears

Big Night

Boomerang

Borg vs. McEnroe

Carriers

City of God

City of Men

Critical Condition

Deepwater Horizon

Down to Earth

Everybody Wants Some!!

Extract

Fences

Flight

Focus

Gemini Man

Glory

Good Boys

Good Morning, Vietnam

Grease 2

Hacksaw Ridge

Here and Now

Imagine That [NM]

Kiss The Girls

Marathon Man

Men, Women & Children

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

Nightwatch

Out of the Furnace

Overdrive

Rio

Road Trip

Serendipity

She’s All That

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Sleepy Hollow

Steel Magnolias

Super 8

The Commuter

The Dutchman*

The Expendables

The Expendables 2

The Expendables 3

The Expendables 4

The Island

The Kid

The Longest Yard

The Machinist

The Perfect Gamble*

The Ring

The Ring Two

The Sum of All Fears

The Untouchables

Tremors

Vacation

War and Peace

Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!

Wuthering Heights

xXx

Young Adult

AVAILABLE JULY 3

Dutton Ranch | Season 1 Finale | Paramount+ Original Series

AVAILABLE JULY 4

The Great American Block Party 250 (New CBS Concert Special)

AVAILABLE JULY 7

Tyler Perry’s Zatima | Season 4 Finale | Paramount+ Original Series

AVAILABLE JULY 8

Wardriver

Wardriver follows Cole (Dane DeHaan), a hacker lured into a million-dollar cyberheist that turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse game where every line of code could be his last. The film is bolstered by thrilling performances from additional cast members Sasha Calle, William Belleau, Karina Gale, Cameron Lee Price, Mamoudou Athie, and Jeffrey Donovan.

AVAILABLE JULY 9

Big Brother Season 28 premiere**

AVAILABLE JULY 14

The Real Wolf of Wall Street | Paramount+ Original Documentary

AVAILABLE JULY 17

RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars | Seasons 11 Finale | Paramount+ Original Series

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked | Seasons 8 Finale | Paramount+ Original Series

AVAILABLE JULY 21

Teen Mom UK: New Generation Season 4

AVAILABLE JULY 22

All The Queen’s Men | Season 5 Finale | Paramount+ Original Series

AVAILABLE JULY 23

Criminal Minds: Evolution | Season 19 Finale | Paramount+ Original Series

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 | Paramount+ Original Series

AVAILABLE JULY 24

The Chi* | Series Finale | Paramount+ Original Series

ONLY ON PARAMOUNT+

UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway

Premieres: July 11

Details: UFC 329 goes live from Las Vegas with McGregor vs. Holloway 2 headlining a stacked card, including a lightweight showdown between Paddy Pimblett and Benoît Saint Denis. Saturday, July 11, at 9 PM ET, streaming live on Paramount+.

The Real Wolf of Wall Street | 3-Part Documentary

Premieres: July 14

Logline: While the iconic Paramount Pictures film The Wolf of Wall Street saw Hollywood turn Jordan Belfort and his band of boiler-room brokers at Stratton Oakmont into the face of ‘90s excess, the story of their rise is even darker and more debauched than previously known.

Featuring never-before-seen footage, thousands of internal FBI documents, archival interviews, including insights from Jordan’s former wife, Nadine, whose dreams of a fairytale life turned toxic and firsthand accounts from onetime members of Belfort’s inner circle, the documentary uncovers the explosive true story of Belfort’s meteoric rise, his stunning fall, and those he left stranded in his wake.

Format: Documentary | 3 episodes | Full Series Release

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 | Scripted Series

Premieres: July 23

Logline: In the upcoming fourth season, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise—led by Captain Christopher Pike—embarks on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars.

As they journey to strange new worlds, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces, and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.

Format: Scripted Series | New Episodes Weekly

Diarra from Detroit Season 2 | Scripted Series

Premieres: July 29

Logline: The name of the game in season two is Summer Adventure. The school year is ending, and Diarra and crew are ready to let loose, enjoy the sunshine, and put the events of the winter behind them. But when Diarra and Chris’ simple furniture-recovery mission entangles them in the center of a grizzly crime, Diarra is left desperately trying to solve a new case before it derails her life.

And that means dragging her friends back down the rabbit hole into Detroit’s criminal underbelly, where she’ll have to go undercover with a secret society, star in a Tubi movie, wrangle a troubled teenager, and generally tear up Detroit on a wild treasure hunting adventure in a way only ‘Captain Extra’ could.

And no, her love life isn’t simple either. As Diarra contemplates what she really wants for her future, old flames heat up the summer with romance and unexpected complications.

Format: Scripted Series | 2x Then Weekly

SPORTS

July 4 – WNBA: Golden State Valkyries @ Atlanta Dream*

July 4-5 – PGA Tour: John Deere Classic (Third and Fourth Round Coverage)*

July 5 – BIG3 Basketball*

July 5 – Canada Sail Grand Prix*

July 11 – SPFL Premier Sports Cup: Stirling Albion vs. Dundee United

July 11 – UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2

July 11 – WNBA: Portland Fire @ Atlanta Dream*

July 11-12 – PGA Tour: Genesis Scottish Open (Third and Fourth Round Coverage)*

July 12 – BIG3 Basketball*

July 18 – NWSL: Denver Summit FC vs. Portland Thorns FC*

July 18 – NWSL: Bay FC vs. North Carolina Courage*

July 18 – SPFL Premier Sports Cup: Aberdeen vs. Queen’s Park

July 18 – SPFL Premier Sports Cup: Dundee United vs. Arbroath

July 18 – UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman

July 18 – USL: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Louisville City FC*

July 18 – WNBA: New York Liberty @ Indiana Fever*

July 19 – 2026 SBD World’s Strongest Man Final*

July 19 – BIG3 Basketball*

July 19 – Progressive AVP League Central Park*

July 19 – WNBA: Chicago Sky @ Atlanta Dream*

July 22 – SPFL Premier Sports Cup: St. Mirren vs. Dunfermline Athletic

July 25 – Ripken National Championships*

July 25 – UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Rountree Jr.

July 25-26 – PGA Tour: 3M Open (Third and Fourth Round Coverage)*

July 26 – BIG3 Basketball*

July 26 – PBR Teams Season Preview Show*

July 26 – SPFL Premier Sports Cup: Queen of the South vs. Aberdeen

July 26 – Zuffa Boxing 09: Berlanga vs. Butler

July 31 – PBR Teams Series: PBR Wildcatter Days

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Dutton Ranch

Big Brother

The Real Wolf of Wall Street

Diarra From Detroit

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Wardriver

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Diarra From Detroit

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Diarra From Detroit

*Title is available to Paramount+ Premium subscribers.

**All Paramount+ Premium subscribers can live stream CBS titles via the live feed on Paramount+. Those titles will be available on demand to all subscribers the day after they air live.

Key: [N] - Nickelodeon Show; [ATV] = AwesomenessTV; [NM] - Nickelodeon Movie.

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More Nick: Paramount Plus Expands Kids and Family Programming with New Slate of Films and Series from Nickelodeon Studios!

Originally published: June 26, 2026 at 01:37 BST.

What's New on Paramount+ in July 2026 | Streaming Release Schedule

Paramount+ July 2026 Movies, TV Shows, and Sports

Additional source: Vital Thrills.

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Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for June 26, 2026 | Nickelodeon

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for June 26, 2026 | Nickelodeon

Stream the classic Rugrats series on Paramount+! Try it at ParamountPlus.com!

Rugrats, provided to Creators Syndicate by Nickelodeon, based off the popular animated television series has been created for children and family's to laugh and enjoy together.

Follow these comics and their take on real episodes of the show and their own spin on hilarious adventures.

Read more Rugrats comic strips!: https://www.creators.com/features/rugrats

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More Nick: Paramount+ Renews 'Rugrats' For Season 3!

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The Legacy Continues... 'Dutton Ranch' Renewed for Season Two on Paramount+

THE LEGACY CONTINUES…

DUTTON RANCH RENEWED FOR SEASON TWO ON PARAMOUNT+

THE NEW SMASH-HIT SERIES PREMIERED MAY 15 AS THE

BIGGEST ORIGINAL SERIES DEBUT IN PARAMOUNT+ HISTORY

PRODUCED BY PARAMOUNT TELEVISION STUDIOS AND 101 STUDIOS,

DUTTON RANCH STARS COLE HAUSER AND KELLY REILLY

Courtesy of Paramount+

• June 24, 2026 - Dutton Ranch, the new Paramount+ original series starring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, has been renewed for a second season, hot on the trail of its record-breaking season one debut.

• Dutton Ranch cemented itself as a smash-hit by amassing 12.9 million viewers globally in the 7 days following its premiere - marking the biggest Original Series launch in Paramount+ history. The series also delivered 2.9 million total viewers during its two-episode debut on Paramount Network on May 15, making it the biggest series premiere on cable since 2023. With 1.85 million viewers for the premiere telecast alone, Dutton Ranch also ranked as the #1 cable entertainment telecast among both adults 18-49 and total viewers.

• Dutton Ranch was also the #1 streaming series according to Nielsen based on average audience for the week of May 11 according to preliminary data.

• The show delivered a standout social launch with 99 million video views and over 2 million engagements in its first 3 days, officially ranking as the #1 Paramount+ premiere across owned social channels.

• “Beth and Rip are among the most iconic duos in television history and we are thrilled to bring a whole new world to life with Dutton Ranch for our subscribers around the world,” said Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+. "We’re also incredibly grateful to our partners, including the teams at Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, for bringing this new series to life with such grit, heart and authenticity.”

• “Dutton Ranch has resonated with audiences in a powerful way, building on the legacy of beloved characters, while establishing its own identity,” said Matt Thunell, President of Paramount Television Studios. “Thank you to our partners at Paramount+ and 101 Studios for a phenomenal first season. We look forward to bringing fans more stories from these unforgettable characters in Season Two.”

• Dutton Ranch premiered with two episodes on Paramount+ on Friday, May 15, with new episodes releasing weekly on Fridays. Catch the action-packed season finale on Friday, July 3. You won’t want to miss it! The series also premiered on the Paramount Network with two episodes on Friday, May 15, with new episodes airing Fridays, at 8pm ET/PT. Subscribe to Paramount+ at ParamountPlus.com.

• In season one, as Beth and Rip fight to build a future together - far from the ghosts of Montana - they collide with brutal new realities and a ruthless rival ranch that will stop at nothing to protect its empire. In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul.

• Produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios,  the debut season also stars Finn Little, Juan Pablo Raba, Jai Courtney, J.R. Villarreal, Marc Menchaca, Natalie Alyn Lind, and Academy Award nominees Ed Harris and Annette Bening.

• The nine-episode first season is produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, the studios that brought you Yellowstone.

• Season one, from executive producer and showrunner Chad Feehan, was based on characters created by executive producers Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. Dutton Ranch is also executive produced by David C. Glasser, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Christina Alexandra Voros, Michael Friedman, Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, and Keith Cox. In addition to executive producing, Voros also directed multiple episodes of season one, including the premiere episodes and season finale. Greg Yaitanes, Jessica Lowrey, and Phil Abraham also served as directors this season.

@DuttonRanch @ParamountPlus @ParamountTelevisionStudios

#DuttonRanch #ParamountPlus

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, SHOWTIME^®, Paramount+, Pluto TV, Skydance Animation, Film, Television, and Interactive/Games, and the newly established Paramount Sports Entertainment. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com.

Source: Paramount+ Global Internal Metrics, First seven days of Ep 1. Views defined as Total Minutes/ Runtime. Domestic based on D2C, Channels and Wholesale/MVPD/vMVPD. International based on D2C + ALC + HB where data avail.

Social Source: Sprinklr, Paramount+ 3-Day Premieres, excluding sports

Dutton Ranch: Nielsen Streaming Content Ratings, Nielsen National TV Panel, U.S., viewing through television. P2+, Average Audience, Live + SD. 5/11/26.

Source (Linear): Nielsen Big Data + Panel, Dutton Ranch on Paramount Network, 5/15/26; Competitive rank based on (000), series premieres, excluding sports / news

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Concern As Beloved Hasbro Series ‘Peppa Pig’ Asks Child Actors To Sign Over Their Voices To Artificial Intelligence

Peppa Pig is famed for her love of jumping in muddy puddles, but the company behind the hit children’s TV series has created a different kind of splash with its approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Peppa Pig | Entertainment One

Hasbro, the U.S. entertainment giant that acquired the Peppa Pig brand in 2019, is asking child actors on the animated series to sign over their voices to artificial intelligence under new contract terms, Deadline has revealed.

Industry sources said AI clauses are now frequently appearing in kids’ contracts on TV and film projects, but Hasbro’s embrace of the terms on Peppa Pig has become a lightning rod for concern.

The open letter does not name Peppa Pig, and the AYPA declined to identify the series, but industry sources have told Deadline that it refers to the beloved show.

The letter was also not specific about the clause in question, but theoretically, it could give Hasbro the power to clone a child’s voice and then use the AI-generated audio in Peppa Pig commercial assets.

Hasbro told Deadline that it was committed to protecting child performers, adding that it wished to approach discussions about artificial intelligence responsibly and transparently.

“Consent Must Be Treated With Care”

AYPA members are increasingly concerned about children being asked to effectively surrender their voice and image rights. Agents frequently ask the body for advice on AI clauses without naming specific projects.

The AYPA’s open letter said these clauses are often presented as a “take it or leave it” ultimatum, meaning children can lose out on work if their parents or guardians refuse to agree to the terms.

“Where the performer is a child, consent must be treated with the greatest of care. Children cannot provide fully informed legal consent and a parent or guardian’s approval should never be used as a blanket licence to capture, clone, train, or reuse a child’s voice indefinitely,” the letter said.

“Any agreement involving a child’s voice should be fully exempt from all AI usage. No child should have their future professional identity shaped by an AI model created before they were old enough to understand its consequences.”

It concluded: “We reject all contracts that require child performers to surrender voice rights indefinitely and without limits.”

‘Peppa Pig’ Season 11 | Hasbro

A Hasbro spokesperson said: “Hasbro is aware of the open letter circulating regarding AI clauses in children’s performance contracts. We are not able to comment on specific negotiations or contractual arrangements.

“The protection of child performers is core to who Hasbro is, it’s part of our DNA. As industry standards around AI continue to evolve, we are committed to engaging with this issue in a responsible and transparent manner.”

Created by Mark Baker and Neville Astley in 2004, Peppa Pig has become an international phenomenon. Season 11 premiered in the U.S. on Nickelodeon in March, featuring a storyline in which Peppa’s brother George is revealed to be moderately deaf. In the same month, Hasbro installed Adam Redfern, a writer on The Adventures of Paddington, as Peppa Pig‘s showrunner.

AYPA Open Letter On AI Clauses In Kids Contracts:

To studio executives, producers, casting teams, commissioners, and all those shaping the future of recorded performance.

We write at a moment when artificial intelligence is already the topic of much dispute, discussion and grave concerns throughout the industry.

Most recently, a major studio who owns the IP for an international children’s franchise producing a long running animated television series has offered contracts to child voice actors insisting that they agree to the use of AI thus allowing them to use the child’s voice in all commercial assets within their franchise. The refusal to remove this clause with an attitude of ‘take it or leave it’ has led us write this letter to make it clear that this will not be accepted and to bring this matter to the attention of the wider industry.

Where the performer is a child, consent must be treated with the greatest of care. Children cannot provide fully informed legal consent and a parent or guardian’s approval should never be used as a blanket licence to capture, clone, train, or reuse a child’s voice indefinitely.

Any agreement involving a child’s voice should be fully exempt from all AI usage. No child should have their future professional identity shaped by an AI model created before they were old enough to understand its consequences. Their voice should not become a permanent commercial asset before they have the legal and personal capacity to decide for themselves.

We the undersigned urge you to commit to responsible industry practice. Collectively, we reject all contracts that require child performers to surrender voice rights indefinitely and without limits.

More from Variety:

Nearly 1,000 Actors, Agents and More Sign Open Letter Against ‘Major Studio’ Demanding Child Actors Allow Their Voices to Be Used for AI

Nearly 1,000 actors, talent agents, parents and others have signed an open letter organized by the Agents for Young Performers Association this week condemning contract clauses that mandate children sign their voices over to be used by AI — a practice Deadline reported Hasbro has done with “Peppa Pig.”

The letter from the collection of talent agents, which came out Monday, alleges that a “major studio who owns the [intellectual property] for an international children’s franchise producing a long running animated television series” has demanded child voice actors agree to allow their voices be used by AI to produce “commercial assets within their franchise.” For agents who protest, the letter alleged, the studio has responded with “an attitude of ‘take it or leave it.’”

“Where the performer is a child, consent must be treated with the greatest of care,” the signatories wrote. “Children cannot provide fully informed legal consent and a parent or guardian’s approval should never be used as a blanket licence to capture, clone, train, or reuse a child’s voice indefinitely.”

“Our letter addresses the universal issue of companies supporting the use of AI in contracts for minors, clauses that are frequently being contested by agents,” the AYPA’s board told Variety in an email, refusing to name the studio in question. “There should be no question of using child actors in any form of AI, whether film, recorded media or images.”

Hasbro, which purchased the rights to the “Peppa Pig” franchise in 2019, told Variety it was aware of the letter and that the “protection of child performers is core to who Hasbro is” and “part of our DNA.”

“As industry standards around AI continue to evolve, we are committed to engaging with this issue in a responsible and transparent manner,” a spokesperson told Deadline.

The letter also demanded that children’s voices should be exempt from any clauses surrounding AI use, writing that “no child should have their future professional identity shaped by an AI model created before they were old enough to understand its consequences.”

“Their voice should not become a permanent commercial asset before they have the legal and personal capacity to decide for themselves,” the signatories wrote.

“Peppa Pig” debuted in 2004 and has since become an international phenomenon, with films, albums, merchandise and theme park experiences. The show, which airs on Channel 5 in the U.K. and Nick Jr. in the U.S., installed “The Adventures of Paddington” writer Adam Redfern as its showrunner in March.

An AI version of Peppa Pig already exists — in some capacity.

During Axios’ AI+NY summit earlier this month, Hasbro AI Studio CEO Bertie Thomson and ElevenLabs’ head of partnerships Dustin Blank spoke to an AI demo replica of the famed British cartoon during a conversation about the licensing of several Hasbro characters to the AI audio firm for commercial purposes. During the demonstration, the AI “Peppa Pig” said there were “special rules to make sure we still sound right, act right and play safely.” (Hasbro said the Axios demo was “in keeping with Hasbro’s commitment to responsible AI use with consent and compensation” and that Peppa’s voice was “an authorized usage developed specifically for demonstration purposes with the appropriate permissions.)

It was unclear which Peppa actor’s voice was licensed for the replica (Harriette Cox, whose representative did not respond to an immediate request for comment, took over the role last year). ElevenLabs did not respond to an immediate request for comment, but the firm has touted the participation of characters’ original voice actors in the licensing agreement. The AYPA declined to comment on the AI replica of Peppa Pig.

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More Nick: Oink-troducing the Newest Member of Peppa Pig’s Family, Evie!

Originally published: June 26, 2026.

H/T: Futurism.

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