TNT Sports, previously known as BT Sport, is facing a significant shift as it prepares to lose its rights to UEFA club competitions in two years. The broadcaster originally secured these rights in a landmark 2013 deal worth £897 million, effectively taking them from Sky Sports. Since then, TNT Sports expanded its offerings to include coverage of the Europa League and UEFA Conference League, beginning with the 2015–16 season. However, the landscape began to change in 2022 when Amazon Prime entered the market, acquiring streaming rights for one game each week, resulting in a dilution of TNT’s exclusivity in this domain.
Despite this impending loss, TNT Sports continues to maintain valuable broadcasting rights for key domestic events, including the Premier League until 2029 and an FA Cup contract that runs for four years, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the competition’s third round.
In a related development, Paramount+ has emerged as the winner in the latest bidding for UEFA rights, raising concerns about the financial implications for viewers. Fans are already navigating a maze of subscription services, with Sky Sports, TNT, Amazon, and DAZN vying for their attention and funding. As sports broadcasting rights continue to fragment, the costs for British fans could escalate significantly.
However, there is a silver lining amid this challenging landscape. Reports indicate that Paramount plans to air select matches for free on Channel 5, its UK terrestrial network. This approach, which aligns with strategies in other regions, aims to alleviate some of the burden on supporters who are hesitant to subscribe to yet another streaming platform. By offering free match access, Paramount is poised to cater to a wider audience while enhancing the accessibility of UEFA competitions for enthusiastic fans.