After 35 years as a cornerstone of sports broadcasting in the UK, Eurosport is set to disappear from British screens. On February 28, Eurosport 1 and 2 will merge into TNT Sports, as Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) reorganizes its sports offerings in the UK and Ireland. This move, aimed at simplifying access for viewers and enhancing the overall sports viewing experience, raises questions about the future availability of free-to-air sports coverage.
Scott Young, Senior Vice President at WBD Sports Europe, explained, “Combining Eurosport and TNT Sports content in the UK and Ireland will enable us to offer a single, premium viewing experience for sports fans. We know audiences are looking for a slightly simpler journey on where to find the sport they love. This move will also continue to best deliver value for our leagues and federation partners, as we continue our 35 years plus commitment to investment and championing of sport on our screens.”
Launched in 1989 as a co-production between Sky TV and the European Broadcasting Union, Eurosport became a staple of sports broadcasting in 50 European countries. While the rebranding affects only the UK and Ireland, the Eurosport brand will continue to operate in other regions, with shared content between Eurosport and TNT Sports.
The reorganization comes as WBD continues to build TNT Sports as a “fan-first broadcaster.” Since rebranding BT Sport as TNT in 2023, the platform has achieved a monthly reach of over 12 million viewers in the UK. In 2024, TNT Sports delivered significant growth in rugby audiences and comprehensive coverage of the Olympics, previously dominated by the BBC. WBD and the BBC will continue sharing Olympic broadcasting rights, including for the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina in 2026.
Looking ahead, questions loom over the accessibility of marquee events. The Tour de France, for example, will move exclusively to TNT Sports in 2026, with ITV losing its rights. While parts of the event will be available on the free-to-air channel Quest, there is no commitment to broadcasting full stages. “You’ll see parts of the Tour on Quest,” Young noted. “What we’re focusing on now is innovating how you watch it, including multiple streams of footage and immersive coverage from 2026 onwards.”
Reports also suggest that TNT Sports may acquire rights to the Six Nations rugby championship from 2026, potentially taking over the BBC’s role. However, Young acknowledged the complexities of maintaining free-to-air access, particularly in rugby-stronghold markets like Wales and Ireland. A TNT spokesperson added, “While we think the Six Nations is the best international rugby competition in the world, its important partnership with free-to-air television across the UK and Ireland would make our involvement very challenging.”
As WBD reshapes the landscape of sports broadcasting in the UK, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact sports fans, particularly those who rely on free-to-air channels. With a legacy of over three decades, Eurosport’s rebranding marks both the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in British sports media.
