North Carolina, USA – TNT Sports has recently inked a deal to add College Football Playoff games to their lineup, starting this season, through a five-year sub-licensing agreement with ESPN. This move by Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports and HBO Max will see the broadcasting and streaming of several key games over the course of the contract, including first-round and quarterfinal matchups.
The agreement between TNT and ESPN, while not disclosing full financial terms, is a significant development in the sports broadcasting landscape. With ESPN retaining the rights to the national championship as part of their existing $7.8 billion deal, this new partnership opens up opportunities for TNT to showcase marquee college football matchups to their viewers.
Under this agreement, TNT will be producing the games with ESPN’s support and utilizing ESPN broadcasters, giving the games a unique TNT Sports branding. Additionally, there are plans to introduce ancillary programming around the games, potentially including a new show dedicated to the College Football Playoff.
Aside from the CFP agreement, ESPN, WBD Sports, and Fox are collaborating on a standalone streaming platform called Venu, set to launch this fall. This streaming service, priced in the $45-$50 per month range, will offer fans a new way to engage with sports content, including coverage of the College Football Playoff games.
In parallel to these developments, TNT Sports is also navigating negotiations with the NBA for future broadcasting rights. The outcome of these talks could impact the network’s sports programming lineup, which already includes agreements with major sports leagues like MLB, NCAA basketball, and the NHL.
As TNT Sports continues to expand its rights portfolio, its chairman, Luis Silberwasser, remains focused on securing key partnerships within the sports industry. With a track record of broadcasting top-tier sporting events, including the College Football Playoff, TNT is positioned to further solidify its presence in the competitive sports media landscape.