Will Warner Bros. Discovery’s Split Affect the Future of TNT Sports? Here’s What You Need to Know!

David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), recently announced a major shift for the company, ending its long-standing association with the National Basketball Association. This move may indicate a broader departure from U.S. sports altogether.

WBD is splitting into two separate companies. One will focus on streaming and film content, including Warner Bros. Television and HBO Max. The other will handle the company’s legacy cable networks and sports assets like TNT Sports.

Zaslav will lead the streaming and studios division, while Gunnar Wiedenfels, the current CFO, will step in as CEO of Global Networks. This split raises important questions about the future of sports broadcasting, especially concerning TNT, which traditionally aired live sports.

During a recent call with investors, Zaslav hinted that live sports have not significantly boosted HBO Max subscriptions in the U.S. “Sports haven’t been a big driver for us,” he said. This suggests that TNT Sports might not remain tied to the streaming service in the long run.

TNT Sports currently broadcasts many popular events, including NCAA games, the French Open, and Major League Baseball. Wiedenfels stated that the management team will evaluate how best to exploit these and other sports rights moving forward. He expressed that international sports will continue to coexist across both traditional and streaming platforms.

There’s also the potential for collaboration or sale to other media companies. For instance, Comcast’s upcoming spinout, Versant, is interested in acquiring sports rights to increase its leverage with cable providers.

As WBD prepares for its split by mid-2026, the question remains: how will it navigate the landscape of sports broadcasting and digital rights? This decision could significantly alter the future of sports viewership in the U.S.

Interestingly, a survey by Deloitte shows that sports fans value streaming flexibility. This could influence decisions as companies seek new ways to present sports content.

Ultimately, it’s a time of change for WBD and the sports broadcasting industry. The approach they take could reshape how we consume sports in the future.



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