TNT Sports is set to make its grand debut next week – and we can now reveal some of the exhilarating lineup for the launch week of the new successor to BT Sport.
A product of the merger between BT Sport and Discovery/Eurosport, TNT Sports is set to go up on our screens next week – on July 18, 2023, and is poised to reshape the landscape of sports media in the UK.
The launch week lineup includes a variety of sports events and programmes, from the UEFA Champions League’s first qualifying round to the UFC London preview show.
Fans can also look forward to WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown, and Cricket enthusiasts won’t be left out, with the Test Cricket match between West Indies and India also on the schedule (see more highlights below).
- Also See: TNT Sports’ Pricing And Presenters
TNT Sports was born out of a merger between BT Sport, a renowned name in the broadcasting of sports events in the UK and globally, and Eurosport, a well-established French sports TV network operating in over 50 countries.
The merger aimed to consolidate the TV and streaming rights of both services, offering a more extensive range of sports content.
TNT Sports is not an entirely new brand, as Warner Bros. Discovery had already been operating under the TNT Sports banner in Latin America and the US. However, for UK audiences, this will be a fresh experience.
As part of the merger, TNT Sports is now set to replace BT Sport and will operate alongside Eurosport under the umbrella of the Discovery+ streaming service, as well as on the pay-TV providers – Sky, Virgin Media and BT TV.
TNT Sports and Eurosport, combined under Discovery+, promise a compelling array of live sports events.
From the thrill of the UEFA Champions League and Premier League matches to the heart-pounding excitement of Premiership Rugby and Champions Cup, the new offering is sure to keep sports fans on their toes.
Other global sports events like UFC, WWE, Boxing, Roland-Garros, the Tour de France, and the exclusive pay TV broadcast rights for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will also be part of the lineup.
Starting July 18, TNT Sports will become a part of the Discovery+ streaming service, providing a rich roster of global sports events to stream for fans across the UK.
This will eventually replace the current BT Sport Monthly Pass streaming offer, with Discovery+ becoming the go-to streaming app for TNT Sports.
However, it’s important to note that TNT Sports will be an extra, “Premium” tier on Discovery+, and will therefore cost more than the current £6.99/month “Discovery+ Entertainment and Sports” tier.
For existing BT Sport subscribers, however (either directly or via one of the pay-TV companies), prices will stay the same for the time being, and those subscribers will also get full access to Discovery+, along with its Eurosport and TNT Sports streaming sections.
TNT Sports Launch Week Highlights
Here’s a look at the exciting line-up for the launch week:
UEFA Champions League: 1st Qualifying Round
Tuesday 18th July – Wednesday 19th July
The UEFA Champions League returns with the first qualifying round.
Home nations hopefuls such as Shamrock Rovers, The New Saints, and Larne will be hoping to make it through and join defending champions Manchester City in the group stages of Europe’s premier competition, which will be exclusively live on TNT Sports this season.
MLB: Brewers @ Phillies
Wednesday 19th July 23:30 – 03:00, TNT Sports 1
The Milwaukee Brewers travel to South Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. The match is expected to be thrilling as the Brewers hope to keep pressure on the top of the National League Central and make it back to the postseason following last year’s absence.
They will be hosted by the Phillies, last year’s World Series runners-up.
Test Cricket: West Indies V India – 2nd Test, Day One
Thursday 20th July – 14:30 – 23:00, TNT Sports 1
Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad & Tobago hosts the second Test Match of a two-game series between West Indies and India.
The match is India’s first Test since losing to Australia in the World Test Championship Final.
HSBC BWF World Tour: Korea Open – Quarter Finals
Friday 21st July – 06:00 – 11:30, TNT Sports 1
Badminton continues to take centre stage as the Korea Open begins its quarter-final rounds.
Offering a prize pool of $420,000, the Korea Open is part of the BWF World Tour Super 500 series taking place at the Yeosu Jinnam Stadium in Yeosu.
WWE: Friday Night Smackdown
Friday 21st July – 01:00 – 03:00, TNT Sports 1
Tune in to Friday Night Smackdown to see all the action featuring some of the WWE’s biggest Superstars unfold.
TNT Sports will bring fans all the latest storyline developments from the WWE Universe, including The Usos shock feud with their cousin and former Bloodline teammate Roman Reigns.
MLB: Off the Bat – Episode 15
Thursday 20th July – 22:00 – 22:30, TNT Sports 2
Tune in to MLB: Off the Bat to keep up to speed with all the latest action from Major League Baseball wrapped up, featuring the league’s top hitters and pitchers.
WRC: Estonia – Special Stage 1
Thursday 20th July – 18:00 – 19:00, TNT Sports 2
Exhilarating rally action, live from the picturesque city of Tartu.
The current drivers’ championship leader, Kalle Rovanperä, has taken first place at each of the past two Estonian events, so will be looking to make it a three-peat and help secure back-to-back championships.
Major League Cricket: Washington Freedom V San Francisco Unicorns
Thursday 20th July – 22:30 – 02:30, TNT Sports 2
Action from the inaugural season of Major League Cricket as San Francisco Unicorns, boasting former England star, and World Cup winner, Liam Plunkett among their ranks, take on Washington Freedom, skippered by Aussie all-rounder, Moises Henriques.
UFC London: Preview Show
Friday 21st July – 17:00 – 18:00, TNT Sports 2
Join Michael Bisping, Adam Catterall, and Nick Peet for the TNT Sports UFC London live preview show from the O2 Arena.
The team will preview a card headlined by Tom Aspinall’s highly anticipated return to the octagon against Marcin Tybura, as well as bouts featuring UK favourites Molly McCann, Nathaniel Wood, Paul Craig, Jai Herbert, and Lerone Murphy.
What Went Down: Michael Bisping
Thursday 20th July – 03:00 – 04:00, TNT Sport 3
Lose yourself in What Went Down, a must-watch exclusive series where iconic sporting stories are relived and retold by the heroes who created them.
In this episode, British UFC legend Michael Bisping sits down to reflect on some of the most iconic moments of his career.
Ariel Helwani Meets: Liv Morgan
Friday 21st July – 16:45 – 17:15, TNT Sports 3
Liv Morgan wondered for a long time if it would ever happen for her. After nearly eight years in the WWE, she finally reached the summit at Money in the Bank.
She caught up with Ariel Helwani ahead of #SummerSlam in 2022 to discuss her career journey in full.
AFL: Essendon V Western Bulldogs
Friday 21st July – 10:30 – 13:30, TNT Sports 3
Essendon take on Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Last time the two teams faced each other, Western Bulldogs recorded a convincing 103-71 victory – fans can expect a fierce battle this time out, with both teams in the running to make the top 8 and the Finals Series.
MLB: Cubs @ Cardinals
Friday 21st July 19:00 – 22:30, TNT Sports 3
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals face off again in the second game of a four-game series, following on from a successful trip to the UK for the MLB London Series, attended by 110,000 fans in total.
The Cubs have an outside shot at making the National League wildcard round if they can put together a strong second half to the season.
What I Wore: Michael Owen
Wednesday 19th July 04:45 – 05:30, TNT Sports 4
The former Liverpool and England striker talks us through some of the most iconic kits he’s played in and what they mean to him – including the shirt he was wearing when he scored that famous goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.
Original Documentary: Meatball Molly
Thursday 20th July – 21:30 – 22:45, TNT Sports 4
Meatball Molly charts the rise of MMA trailblazer Molly McCann to becoming England’s first female UFC winner.
The film examines the highs and lows of McCann’s career and how, after overcoming battles with mental health and long periods of self-doubt, she has risen to become one of the most exciting MMA fighters on the circuit.
The Ultimate Fighter: Series 31 – Episode 8
Thursday 20th July – 22:45 – 23:45, TNT Sports 4
Coached by Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, this documentary series follows MMA fighters as they train and compete against each other for a contract with the UFC.
Rio Ferdinand’s Between The Lines: Virgil Van Dijk
Thursday 20th July – 04:30 – 05:00, TNT Sports 4
In this episode of Between The Lines, Rio Ferdinand is joined by Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk. The Red’s rock at the back discusses his meteoric rise from leaving Willem II to becoming one of the world’s best at Anfield.
Fantastic work as always Or!!!
I’m still surprised Discovery Plus haven’t released their price packages though, we’re less than a week away and still people who are considering subscribing to them through their platform have no idea, specially the niche fans who only want to subscribe for specific sports.
One thing I would love to know, when does this first go live?
I would love to see the launch but I have no idea when this will be (midnight on the 17th into the 18th maybe?). I would love to be able to get this info to see.
Thank you so much Or for a wonderful article once again, you have absolutely smashed it and I really appreciate you!!
Any chance of NBA on TNT?
GREAT LINE UP, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PRICE OF TNT SPORTS PER MONTH ?