TNT SPORTS, THE FUTURE NAME FOR BT SPORT

LONDON, 21 February 2023: TNT Sports will be the new name for the premium sports brand to be launched later this year by the Joint Venture (JV) between BT Group and Warner Bros. Discovery.

The new name heralds an important step in the previously announced plans to unite the enviable collection of premium rights from BT Sport and Eurosport under a single offer in the future. In July 2023, TNT Sports will replace the BT Sport name and represents the start of a new journey and relationship with sports fans in the UK & Ireland that will continue the spirit of what BT Sport has built over the past decade. 

This new sports brand in the U.K & Ireland will be brought to life for the first time later this year shortly before the start of 2023/2024 football season. Until then, fans will continue to enjoy BT Sport on all of the channels and platforms as they do today.

Andrew Georgiou, board member of the Joint Venture and President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said: “Today is another important step towards the launch of a simpler and even more compelling offering for sports fans in the U.K & Ireland. The TNT Sports name is already synonymous with premium live sport in a number of countries around the world and a further sign of the global scale and expertise that Warner Bros. Discovery brings to its partnership with BT.

“While Warner Bros. Discovery is excited to contribute its global scale and capabilities, together with its growing portfolio of premium entertainment, we are also determined to ensure ​we don't compromise on the inimitable, local style that is at the heart of the way BT Sport has connected with fans over the past decade. Remaining authentically local will remain key to our success.”

Marc Allera, CEO BT Consumer Division and Chairman of the Joint Venture with Warner Brothers Discovery, said: “We’re delighted with the progress being made on the joint venture. This change marks the next logical step for BT Sport as well as the broader transformation of our Consumer business. Once launched this will become a hugely exciting new premium sports offering for customers in the UK and Ireland.”

While TNT Sports will have a dedicated brand for the U.K & Ireland that reflects the fan-first approach for which BT Sport has become renowned, the name already has a strong association with premium live sport in other territories and under Warner Bros. Discovery’s family of brands. This includes being home to top-level domestic and European football in a number of countries in Latin America, while live sport has been a longtime staple on the TNT network in the U.S, including the NBA, NHL and NCAA.

TNT Sports will present the live sports rights carried by BT Sport today, while Eurosport in the U.K & Ireland will continue to be available in the same way as it is today before being rolled into the new brand at some time in the future.

Shortly before the 2023/2024 football season, discovery+ will become the streaming home for sports fans who can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. BT Sport subscribers already enjoy complimentary access to discovery+ which includes Eurosport’s streaming offer and wide range of entertainment programming. 

Taken together, this provides one of the most extensive line-ups of live sports coverage for fans in the UK & Ireland - including the Olympic Games, the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Premiership Rugby, MotoGP, UFC, Boxing, WWE, tennis Grand Slams, cycling Grand Tours and the winter sports season. 

The 50:50 BT and Warner Bros. Discovery Joint Venture was formed on 1 September 2022. Warner Bros. Discovery manages the operation of the JV with the production and operational assets of BT Sport having transferred to the company on this date. 

---

BT / WBD Joint Venture Timeline:

3 February 2022: Warner Bros. Discovery (then Discovery, Inc.) and BT Group enter into exclusive discussions to create a new sport venture in the U.K.

12 May 2022: BT Group plc agrees a set of definitive agreements with Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. to form a 50:50 joint venture company to create a new premium sport offering for the UK & Ireland and to transfer the operating businesses of BT Sport to Warner Bros. Discovery.

1 September 2022: Warner Bros. Discovery and BT Group completed their transaction to form the 50:50 Joint Venture.