HBO Max replacing Discovery+ for TNT Sports?

[fiddlesticks01]

Ok thanks.

Just a general point - it's hard to keep up with all the changes since it was BT Sport on BT - the change to TNT, moving to D+, now HBO and all whilst having a changing mix of EE/BT products when you have broadband as well. This purchase by an American company was always going to end up with paying more for less, IMO, given how their models seem to work with more and more platforms popping up, requiring further subscriptions and outlay to watch what was previously available with fewer.

I've just taken out a new 2 year contract (which means yet more change with broadband moving to EE with a new account/ID etc) and managed to only have a small price increase in year 1, but year 2 sees a 12% increase. I only signed up with BT broadband in the first place due to the sports rights - I don't watch most of the single Premier League games shown per week, but do watch the Champions League, so I'll be paying 12% extra in year 2 when the CL will be dropped from my package (or them charging extra for it).

This is after already losing the European rugby rights (I don't watch the English domestic rugby), plus things like the NBA are gone, so I'll no longer be a customer when this contract ends.

[NigelB72]

@fiddlesticks01  The Champions League is moving to Paramount+ from 2027-2028 season and the Europa League and Conference will be going to Sky Sports.

HBO Max will eventually close down as it'll be rolled into Paramount+ once the take over completes...

[fiddlesticks01]

@NigelB72   So the final Champions league game under the TNT contract will be shown a little over a year from now.

As far as I'm aware, I'm paying for a year of CL, then in year 2, I'm paying 12% more when the rights go elsewhere.

Amazon already have the prime pick of the first CL game of the round, so that's already gone, and as you say the Europa League and Conference will also be lost. 

I'm not sure what 'HBO Max will eventually close down as it'll be rolled into Paramount+ once the take over completes...' will mean for current TNT subscribers - I assume it means it will no longer be included in the current TNT Sport package, and that an additional subscription will be required - please correct me if this is not the case.

As I said, it appears to me that once these American corporate giants enter the market, rights get diluted across more platforms, the subscription we once had loses certain games/competitions, and further subscriptions and payments are required to continue to have access to what we did previously, and for these diminishing rights we get way above inflation price rises annually.

[DarrenDev]

That's all over a year away - I wouldn't stress yourself with it just now.  A lot can change in a year.

As you've seen already, the package is constantly changing to make sure you get the best possible value from the providers that are available.

[fiddlesticks01]

I'm not stressing - as I mentioned I'm resigned to the fact that I won't be renewing in 2 years as it's becoming too expensive, for less content.

I certianly agree that the package is constantly changing, but it's not been for the better unfortunately, imo.

[DarrenDev]

As mentioned on the EE forums, the issue with sports documentaries is not intentional, and will be fixed.

[gomezz]

Watching the Champions League live and I see one thing that is definitely better than Discovery+ in that the Red Button reminder does not keep popping up. Used to have to chase play by a few seconds to avoid that.

Edit:  Or am I confusing that with what happens when watching live on my BT Youview box rather than via the app?

[zulu17]

Yes @gomezz  that red button prompt is on the Youview  boxes  when viewing  a main TNT  linear channel. It now links to HBO Max, they did seem a little  over enthusiastic  in displaying it on screen in the past

One thing I did notice  is that some of the HBO Max app  extra sports  streams  still have the EUROSPORT  logo.

[DarrenDev]

Eurosport still exists in other countries - if they're the host broadcaster for the event, it's possible their DOG will be embedded in the stream, if a clean feed isn't available.  This was true for some extra stream events in BT Sport days too.

[gomezz]

Still not getting the indication that some content is already played on the app on my Chromecast dongle, specifically from the World Superbikes coverage. Workaround if I cannot remember where I was is to check on the app on my phone or tablet where it does show. Next acid test for this will be the first round of British Superbikes where the coverage comes as one long multi-hour stream which I tend to watch over several sessions, race by race.

I am assuming it is no coincidence that these are both Eurosport supplied coverage?  MotoGP for example is fine.