Max and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports have announced a Bleacher Report Sports add-on tier that will allow subscribers to watch live sports. Here’s what you need to know:
- The option allows viewers to see live coverage of MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Tournament and American Football events, in addition to in-studio shows like “Inside the NBA.” Max and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports said more than 300 live events – including the MLB and NHL playoffs – would be available.
- NBA fans will be able to attend opening night and regular season games, the first NBA In-Season Tournament, NBA All-Star events and part of the playoffs.
- The add-on launches on October 5 and will be included until February 29 before users are charged $9.99 per month.
Athleticism instant analysis:
It was always inevitable
We knew it would probably happen at some point and one way or another. The great sports migration from linear to streaming has been slow, as some of the top properties have only trickled in, but it’s the biggest move yet. Warner Bros. Discovery (via TNT, TBS, TruTV) and ESPN are the largest sports broadcasters in the United States, and until now they have kept their best content on linear television, naturally trying to maintain their revenue in terms of fees. broadcast, although Cord Cutting shook the cable industry. But it nevertheless seemed inevitable.
For the NBA, this will be an interesting test run ahead of its next media rights deal, which begins with the 2025-26 season. This deal would still have a streaming component, although where and how that happens remains undetermined. They can now get audience figures and see how many fans are migrating to a streaming app to watch their product. The NBA’s current television deal was signed in 2014, at a time when streaming wasn’t as big a consideration, and it hasn’t even been able to commercialize its streaming rights, so it’s been reliant of its current rights holders to make the decision of when and where. — Vorkunov
Will they get the necessary subscribers?
As always with streaming, price matters. How many people, whether currently subscribed to Max or not, will sign up for this new level of sport, particularly a younger audience who have never subscribed to a traditional pay TV package? These subs will be the number to watch.
WBD’s sports content is Tier I based on the properties they own, which is important: NBA, March Madness, MLB, NHL, US Soccer and “Inside The NBA” are very engaging. But consumers continue to be strained by having to purchase a new plan, this time via streaming. At what point will it become too much?
One notable thing from this announcement is that the games will not be exclusive to linear TV or streaming but will be released on both at the same time. This emphasis on reach will be attractive to sports leagues as we head into the 2020s. —Deitsch
What they say
“We want to be everywhere sports fans are and our unmatched offering of top sports, combined with the power of Bleacher Report’s brand and content, including the unique way B/R engages with young sports fans, all offered via the new Max platform. allow us to expand our audience and delight new fans,” said Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, in a press release.
“We are uniquely positioned to offer viewers the best selection of premium sports and exciting events as well as additional fan-focused programming, all in a fantastic multi-sport product that will meet the evolving consumer needs of our viewers – casual and die-hard sports fans. »
(Photo: Chuck Cook / USA Today)
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