Sports fans across the UK will notice a big change on their television screens this summer, with one of the nation’s most popular channels set for a revamp.
A decade after its inception, BT Sport will become TNT Sports in July, meaning Premier League football will be shown on a new channel from next season.
But what does the change mean for BT Sport subscribers? Why is the rebrand happening? And what is TNT Sports? Read on to discover everything you need to know.
Why is BT Sport becoming TNT Sports?
Last year, BT Group announced that it had struck a deal to form a joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). As a result of the agreement, BT Sport will be known as TNT Sports.
Warner Bros. Discovery is a global media and entertainment company that already runs some of the world’s largest TV channels, such as HBO and CNN.
TNT Sports also operates in Latin America, broadcasting both domestic and European football in that part of the world. From July, the channel will have a dedicated UK brand in advance of the 2023-24 season.
What will change for BT Sport subscribers?
The slogan “New Name. Same Game” has been used by BT Sport to advertise the upcoming rebrand. In a sense, the slogan is true, as the BT Sport TV channels will simply become TNT Sports channels.
However, it is worth noting that discovery+ will be the new live streaming option for the rebranded channel, with the BT Sport app set to be terminated in the summer.
As it stands, no price changes have been announced for existing BT Sport customers, although there has been no word on whether the price of subscriptions will change in the coming months.
Will there be new pundits and commentators?
Despite many people on Twitter and other social media platforms calling for changes to the channel’s commentary and punditry teams, it is believed that no major changes will be made at first.
The only notable change is the departure of long-standing presenter Jake Humphrey, who has announced that he will be leaving the company after the UEFA Champions League final on June 10.
Humphrey has enjoyed a decade-long career at BT Sport and has presented many of the company’s biggest broadcasts, including the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
What broadcasting rights does TNT Sports own?
BT Sport is currently the home of the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League in the UK. Consequently, TNT Sports will continue to show the major European competitions.
The merger will also enable fans to watch the Premier League, FA Cup and many of other football leagues from around the world, retaining BT Sport’s current rights.
On top of that, TNT Sports subscribers will be able to watch the Olympic Games, Premiership Rugby, UFC, WWE, MotoGP, Grand Slam tennis, Grand Tour cycling, boxing and other sports.
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