Freeform to Celebrate HARRY POTTER's Birthday with 3-Day Programming Event

"It's not every day yer young man turns eleven, now is it?" And with those words from Hagrid on Harry Potter's birthday, so began Harry's new life into the magical world of wizardry and witchcraft. To celebrate this milestone, FreeForm (the new name for ABC Family) is commemorating Harry Potter's birthday with a three-day programming event starting on FRIDAY, JULY 29 and continuing through SUNDAY, JULY 31.

As part of the weekend, starting on FRIDAY, JULY 29, FreeForm will make the documentary "Tom Felton Meets the Superfans" available to watch on the FreeForm App. The film gives a unique insight into the world of superfans and celebrity from the perspective of one of Britain's brightest and biggest young stars, Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy, "Harry Potter" film series). This special dissects the unique relationships between the famous and their followers, where thousands of superfans meet the 'real' people behind their favorite shows. Tom also talks candidly with celebrity friends including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and J.K. Rowling, who reveal their own surreal experiences with fans.

And Freeform's social platforms will run themed Harry Potter polls on Wishbone, offer animated shareables and invite fans to tweet their well wishes using the hashtag #HappyBirthdayHarryPotter.

The highlights are:

Friday, July 29
(3:00 - 6:45 p.m. EDT) HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
Based on J.K. Rowling's popular novels about the boy who lived, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" introduces fans to Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. At Hogwarts, he finds the home and family he has never had. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" repeats on Saturday, July 30 at 7:00 a.m. EDT.

(6:45 - 11:00 p.m. EDT) HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
More adventures await Harry when he returns to Hogwarts for his second year. Chilling, malevolent voices whisper from the walls only to Harry and it seems certain that his classmate Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is out to get him. Soon it's not just Harry who is worried about survival, as dreadful things begin to happen at the school. The mysteriously gleaming foot-high words on the wall proclaim: "The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies of the Heir, Beware." But what exactly does it all mean? Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) risk their own lives to solve this 50-year-old, potentially deadly mystery. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" repeats on Saturday, July 30 at 10:45 a.m. EDT.

Saturday, July 30
(3:15 - 6:30 p.m. EDT) HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
Harry, Ron and Hermione return for a third term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But Harry's fate looks bleak when the infamous Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who was convicted of killing 13 people with a single curse, escapes from prison. The only clue to where Sirius is headed: The Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...He's at Hogwarts." Even within the walls of his magical school, Harry may not be safe from a convicted killer. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" repeats on Sunday, July 31 at 7:00 a.m. EDT.

(6:30 - 10:15 p.m. EDT) HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
The fourth movie in the Harry Potter franchise sees Harry returning for his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, along with his friends, Ron and Hermione. There is an upcoming tournament between the three major schools of magic, with one participant selected from each school by the Goblet of Fire. When Harry's name is drawn, even though he is not eligible and is a fourth player, he must compete in the dangerous contest. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" repeats on Sunday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. EDT.

(10:15 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. EDT) HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Harry returns to Hogwarts for his sixth year and faces a growing danger that may be more than a match for his strengthening powers as a wizard. While Death Eaters emboldened by the return of Lord Voldemort wreak havoc in both the muggle and wizarding worlds, Harry suspects new dangers lie within Hogwarts. Dumbledore, racing to prepare Harry for a battle that he knows is fast approaching, brings him on a perilous mission to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses. Meanwhile, the students face a different adversary as teenage hormones rage: Harry's friendship with Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) grows into something deeper; Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave) lavishes her affections on Ron, while Hermione simmers with jealousy; and a box of love potion-laced chocolates ends up in the wrong hands. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" repeats on Sunday, July 31 at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

Sunday, July 31
(5:00 - 8:45 p.m. EDT) HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1
In the first part of the seventh and final adventure, Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction -- the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort's Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became "the Boy Who Lived." No longer just a boy, Harry Potter is drawing ever closer to the task for which he has been preparing since the day he first stepped into Hogwarts: the ultimate battle with Voldemort.

(8:45p.m. - 12:00 a.m. EDT) HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2
The motion picture event of a generation comes to a close in the second part of the final chapter in the monumental Harry Potter series. The boy wizard's adventure concludes with the climactic final battle between "The Boy Who Lived" and Lord Voldemort. Making their final stand upon the ramparts of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry, Ron and Hermione face their greatest foe and make the ultimate sacrifice.

About FreeForm Part of the Disney|ABC Television Group, FreeForm (the new name for ABC Family) is distributed in 94 million homes. The network connects to audiences and goes beyond entertainment with bold original programming and immersive social engagement. The network delivers a unique mix of quality original and acquired series, plus fan favorite movies and the holiday events "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." The FreeForm app is a service that allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on-demand access via a wide array of devices.

Photo credit: Hat Trick International. All rights reserved*

To post a comment, you must register and login.