TNT Sports losing Champions League

[Toonmag-11]

It has been reported that TNT is losing the contract to show the Champions League. This is from sometime in 2027 and EE big sport contracts are still being sold (I re-signed up today). Do we know what is consequences when this happens to the big sport contracts. With only one PL match a week, rugby being lost and no Champions League. Rather a hefty fee for will turn out in a years + we will get very little. Or am I wrong?

[garybs29]

When did big sports lose sky sports too?

In any case it's far too early to say, things could have changed in 18 months but your contract will have the content subject to change part anyway

[bristolian]

The only "rugby being lost" is the autumn internationals in 2026, which will be FTA across ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 & ITV4

If anything, rugby will be gained from 2027/28 onwards when the EPCR contract is up for renewal.

[zulu17]

Well  the terms and Conditions can be found at

https://ee.co.uk/help/terms-and-conditions/tv/ee-tv

The loss of the UEFA Champions League rights and  the Europa/Conference League rights after the competiition finals  complete in the summer of 2027 would I believe be considered a significant change by many football following TV subscribers and they may opt to end or change their subscriptions. Your rights to end within the minimum term will be as described in the terms and conditions.  

With Paramount taking over the Champions League  rights ( Amazon I believe continue with the  Tuesday first choice exclusives) and Sky taking over the Europa/Conference rights there is always the possibility that EETV may consider opting for changes to the makeup of of its TV package products.

Also if you factor in that the UK  sports rights (that TNT Sports operate & broadcast ) are  I believe held currently held by and presumably paid for by the joint venture between BT and WBD  .  That might change if BT sell their stake or WBD reorganise or get bought.

[DarrenDev]

A lot can happen between now and 2027.  e.g. Paramount have bought some major sports rights, but Paramount are also trying to buy part of WBD - which currently owns TNT Sports.  So maybe the rights would end up back on TNT Sports? Or maybe Paramount will become part of the Big Sports package?

It's anyone's guess, and there's no way to predict what will happen for EE TV subscribers.  Our aim is to provide the best aggregated TV service (now that we've stopped producing our own content), so you can guarantee we'll do our best to make sure we can offer access to all the major content.