The end of BT Sport (as we know it) has an official date now. Ten years after the service first launched in its current form, BT Sport is going to disappear – and turn into TNT Sports, as it merges with Eurosport into a new sports TV destination.
As we previously reported, BT Sport is set to transform into TNT Sports this summer – but until now, the exact date was unknown.
Well, we finally have official confirmation: BT Sport will turn into TNT Sports on July 18, 2023.
Therefore, July 17 will be the last day for BT Sport in its current form.
Alongside its rebranding, TNT Sports will join Eurosport under the umbrella of the Discovery+ streaming service.
For the time being, Eurosport will retain its existing branding and service model, presumably continuing its availability on pay-TV platforms such as Sky. However, eventually, Eurosport will also be integrated into the TNT Sports platform (see full details below).
This will create a single streaming sports platform with a long list of broadcasting rights – including the Olympic Games, the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Premiership Rugby, MotoGP and more.
But there’s one big question that still remains: what will the pricing look like?
- Update: We now have full details about TNT Sports’ launch and pricing
BT Sport And Discovery’s Merger Explained
BT Sport has been a staple for broadcasting sports events from the UK and globally. For a long time, BT Sport was exclusively accessible as an additional feature to “traditional” pay-TV subscriptions like Sky, or to BT’s own broadband and TV customers.
In 2019, a breakthrough was made with the introduction of a monthly, no-contract streaming version of BT Sport, priced at £25 per month – the BT Sport Monthly Pass. A few months ago, its price went up to £29.99.
Eurosport, a well-established French sports TV network now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, operates in over 50 countries and holds broadcasting rights to numerous global sports events.
Eurosport’s live linear channels can be accessed on several pay-TV platforms in the UK, such as Sky and Virgin Media, and on the Discovery+ streaming service. On-demand Eurosport content is primarily available on Discovery+.
Discovery+ is a streaming service that debuted in 2020, taking over from Discovery’s Dplay service, which was completely free. It offers a mix of free and “premium” channels.
The free tier on Discovery+ features several Freeview channels, including Quest, Really, HGTV, and others. The paid tiers add more live premium channels, along with their on-demand content – Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, and more.
In May 2022, a merger was announced between BT Sport and Discovery/Eurosport, leading to the creation of a new joint platform that will consolidate the TV and streaming rights of both services.
Recently, Discovery+ was made available at no additional charge for the majority of BT Sport’s subscribers, with the exception of those who subscribe directly via Sky (but some Sky customers can get Discovery+ for free via an offer from Sky).
BT Sport Becoming TNT Sports
Until now, BT Sport and Eurosport UK have maintained their individual brands and product offerings. As a result, BT Sport and Eurosport have continued to operate as two distinct TV and streaming platforms, albeit with new ownership behind the scenes.
This status quo is set to undergo a transformation in several stages. The first step will see BT Sport rebranding itself as TNT Sports.
And we can now finally confirm the date for the name change – July 18, 2023.
New name. Same game. TNT Sports 💥
From the first ball to the final whistle we'll still be at the heart of sport… pic.twitter.com/B5A40P6Sgo
— BT Sport (@btsport) May 9, 2023
While the name TNT Sports may not ring a bell for UK audiences, it’s worth noting that Warner Bros. Discovery already operates under the TNT Sports banner in Latin America, as well as on a cable channel in the US.
Initially, TNT Sports will function just like BT Sport, continuing to broadcast the live sports rights currently held by BT Sport. Eurosport, in the UK and Ireland, will remain accessible in its present form.
However, subsequent development will see Eurosport also being absorbed into the newly consolidated TNT Sports service.
Moreover, just ahead of the 2023/2024 football season, Discovery+ is planning to become the go-to streaming platform for sports enthusiasts.
This implies that the BT Sport Monthly Pass subscription will also transition to Discovery+ (something that has been confirmed by BT Sport’s social media teams).
Subscribers will then have the opportunity to opt for a subscription that combines TNT Sports, Eurosport, and entertainment all in one place.
TNT Sports And Discovery+ Pricing
Currently, the premium paid tier on Discovery+ in the UK has TWO separate plans: Entertainment (£3.99/month) and Entertainment + Sports (£6.99/month) – which also includes the content that used to reside on Eurosport Player (which was phased out as a standalone streaming platform some time ago).
Normally, customers can subscribe to Discovery+ either directly, or via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, which also come in those two flavours (along with a 7-day free trial) –Discovery+ Entertainment and Discovery+ Entertainment + Sport.
Once BT Sport becomes TNT Sports, with its streaming version moving under the Discovery+ umbrella – we will most likely see a bundled price of Discovery+ entertainment, Eurosport and TNT Sports.
Pricing details haven’t been announced yet – but with BT Sport’s Monthly Pass currently priced at £29.99/month, the combined offer will most likely cost more than that – but we’ll have to wait and see.
It’s interesting to note that we may see some other pricing and bundling changes.
For example, broadband provider Plusnet (which is owned by BT) has already announced that from July 5, it will remove the option to add BT Sport / TNT Sports to its subscription.
We reached out to BT and Warner Bros. Discovery for more details about the pricing – but they declined to comment.
How Can I Watch Discovery+ And TNT Sports?
Discovery+ is a streaming-only app, therefore it relies on your broadband connection.
And while TNT Sports will continue to be available on some of the pay-TV platforms where BT Sport is currently available – its streaming version will move over to Discovery+ (as an add-on) after July 18, 2023.
Therefore TNT Sports, along with Discovery+, will be available on most streaming devices sold in the UK, including:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Roku
- Google Chromecast
- Android / iPhone
- Apple TV
- Samsung Smart TVs
- Sky Q
- Sky Glass / Sky Stream
- Major web browsers
Curiously, even now, the Discovery+ app is NOT available on BT’s own TV boxes, though BT is expecting to launch it on the TV 4K Box Pro and the TV Box Mini at some point in the future.
For more information about TV and streaming, Subscribe to our free newsletter.
I’ve just joined EE From sky so I need TNT SPORTS And Eurosport that’s it with the Freeview channels how much per month is my bill going to be please as I left sky as I thought they were ripping me off. So how much per month ? Thanks W Towers
Consolidation means price controls – usually always upwards. I get MotoGP through plusnet- but told I can’t have it after the July changeover- I pay a little over £20- but get football etc which I will never watch. If the so far unannounced price is too high- I’ll stop subscribing and go back to attending a few more local races. A shame- but I’m very much a niche sport fan- no interest in mainstream ball sports etc. I hope they carve out the bike sport in a discreet affordable package- but only a month to change- and no news on price. I’m expecting to be fleeced.
I Watch MotoGP through Dorna slightly cheaper better quality
This is what most of BT Sport subscribers are, niche fans of specific sports. This was also a huge part of what made BT Sport a success as they managed to bring those audiences in which really boosted their subscribers.
If TNT Sports don’t take this on board and cater for this they’re going to be wondering why they’re subscription base is lower because I guarantee almost all of those UFC, F1, Moto GP, College Basketball, MBL, WWE fans etc.. won’t pay for over priced packages for a load of irrelevant stuff.
TNT Sports won’t be able to convince those fans either to pay more cause of this as they have no interest in it whatsoever.
It’ll be interesting to see but they definitely need to announce their packages and prices soon as I’m seeing a lot of people getting impatient on YouTube videos etc.
UK rugby fans have been ripped off for years, being forced to pay an exorbitant price simply due to the cost of providing premiership football. BT paid £110 million for a 3-year premiership rugby deal, whereas the last 3-year football deal was something in excess of £2 billion.
So even if – like me – you only want to watch the rugby never watch football, the vast majority of your subscription goes to finance the football.
I’ve never understood why can we not be offered a subscription for each sport that we want to watch – something that reflects the relative cost to the provider seems reasonable to me.
As mentioned before they need to release their price packages, they have to at least cater for everyone because not everyone are general sports fans.
A lot of BT Sports subscribers are niche audiences such as MLB, WWE, UFC, F1, Hockey etc. that only subscribe for that specific thing.
If they to try get us to pay more for a bundle with loads of irrelevant stuff, they will lose a huge chunk of their subscribers.
I worry they will mess this up but will see, fingers crossed they do the right thing as it could be a huge success if so.
I hope they announce their price packages soon so people know what they’re doing.
I feel I am just going to get fleeced for more money. I currently only pay £10 for BT Sport through Plusnet….that’s never going to happen again……
Consolidating everything with BT/TNT sports and Eurosport content into Discovery plus app makes a ton of sense, curious to see how that plans out. Merging both BT Sports and Eurosport TV channels to TNT sports is a little silly seeing Eurosport itself been around since the 90s in the UK. I dread that the price for Discovery+ will be substantially higher than its currently is.