Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that it is adding live sports to its Max streaming service for US users, starting on October 5th. The new additional pricing tier, known as Bleacher Report (B/R) Sports, will allow viewers to access simulcasts of popular sporting events including NBA, NHL, NCAA and US Soccer games. Initially, live sports programs will be available to subscribers at no additional cost until the promotional period ends on February 29. After that, the Sports Pack will cost $10 a month and can be added to any Max subscription plan in the US.
Under the umbrella of VBD Sports, BR Sports will launch with MLB’s National League Division Series on October 7, as well as the NBA and NHL season openers. The platform will also feature additional Bleacher Report-branded content, such as live streaming, TV shows like Inside the NBA, video-on-demand and international events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While fans can still watch TNT, TBS and TruTV for their favorite teams or documentaries, the BR Sports tier will broadcast over 300 games, including March Madness, as they happen live.
During an April virtual media event for Mac, CEO David Zaslav hinted at the addition of live sports programming, highlighting the strength of Warner Bros. of Discovery in sports and informational content. He expressed the company’s intention to use this important and distinctive live content to further grow its streaming business.
Warner Bros.’ existing portfolio of sports brands. Discovery, including TNT Sports, Eurosport, Global Cycling Network (GCN) and Discovery itself, has positioned them well to launch live streams in the streaming market. Zaslav cited the company’s success with linear and streaming formats in the UK through BT Sport and expressed optimism about expanding into other regions, seeing significant opportunities for sports in the streaming space.