A high-stakes battle is unfolding in Hollywood, with major implications for the future of sports broadcasting in the UK. The takeover fight between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros Discovery has sparked intense interest among Premier League bosses, as the outcome will directly impact the landscape of sporting rights in the country.
The acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery would grant the winning party control over a vast array of coveted titles, including Harry Potter, Barbie, and Game of Thrones. However, buried within Warner Bros Discovery is TNT Sports, a key player in the UK sports rights market. The fate of TNT Sports, which owns the Saturday lunchtime Premier League package and the FA Cup in the UK, hangs in the balance, leaving a huge amount of uncertainty for the Premier League and its subscribers.
Why is the takeover important for sport? Since 2012, TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) has been a major player in the rights market, driving up the value of Champions League TV rights and holding key properties such as rugby union, motorsport, and cycling. The company's aggressive approach to acquiring sports rights has helped maintain strong and healthy competition in the market, keeping the value of sports rights high. According to Francois Godard, a media and telecoms analyst at Enders Analysis, "TNT Sports is wrapped in uncertainty. Who will own Warner Bros? And who will own TNT Sports?"
TNT Sports is wrapped in uncertainty. Who will own Warner Bros? And who will own TNT Sports? - Francois Godard, Enders Analysis
Netflix's potential acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery has significant implications for the sports broadcasting landscape. The streaming giant has already dipped its toe into the sports market, securing the rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups in the USA and partnering with Fifa to produce the video game for the 2026 World Cup. Netflix has also signed up Gary Lineker's The Rest is Football podcast for next year's men's World Cup. While the company's executives have been tight-lipped about their ambitions in the sports market, all indications suggest that they may be looking to expand their presence.
What does this mean for the future of sports broadcasting? A set round of Premier League matches, similar to Amazon Prime's previous arrangement, would be more in line with Netflix's business model. The acquisition of TNT Sports could provide "fast-track access" into the competitive sports rights arena in the UK, according to industry experts. However, Godard suggests that if TNT Sports UK is part of the deal, Netflix may not have fully thought through the implications.
The next couple of years will be pivotal in shaping the TV landscape in the UK, with ITV in "preliminary" discussions to sell its broadcasting business to Sky for £1.6bn. The fierce competition from streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ has left traditional broadcasters needing to react. As the takeover battle for Warner Bros Discovery reaches its climax, one thing is certain - the future of sports broadcasting in the UK will never be the same again.
As the sports broadcasting landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery will have far-reaching implications for the industry. Whether Netflix or Paramount emerges victorious, the outcome will be closely watched by Premier League bosses and sports fans alike. The question on everyone's mind is: what does the future hold for TNT Sports, and how will it impact the way we consume sports content?
Original: BBC Sport
Image: BBC Sport
Written by Npsports
