VIRGIN Media clients ought to examine their emails for a bittersweet TV improve in mild of a significant channel’s imminent closure.
Final week, Eurosport introduced that it’ll disappear from UK screens on the finish of February after 35 years on-air.
Followers have been left in despair about the way forward for free-to-air sport, with Eurosport residence to tennis, the Tour de France, winter sports activities and extra.
A lot of the content material is predicted to maneuver to TNT Sports activities channels, which is owned by the identical firm, Warner Bros Discovery (WBD).
Nonetheless, TNT packages for Virgin Media and Sky clients value £30 per thirty days.
To melt the blow, chosen Virgin Media clients who often watch Eurosport are being supplied TNT Sports activities at no further value, the agency has confirmed to The Solar.
Learn extra about Virgin Media
The supply is being issued for the rest of the shopper’s contract – after that, they should pay full value.
Prospects have reported already receiving an e mail alerting them of the improve, so others must also examine.
“Following Warner Bro Discovery’s determination to cease broadcasting Eurosport channels within the UK from later this month, in circumstances the place we all know clients often view Eurosport content material, we’ll present entry to TNT Sports activities for the rest of their contract at no further value,” a Virgin rep instructed The Solar.
“We now have already contacted these clients to advise them of the channel closure and of the choices out there to them to proceed to entry Eurosport content material.”
Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 will stop broadcasting on February 28.
The channel will live on in different markets outdoors of the UK.
Some content material will likely be moved to WBD’s free channel Quest.
Quest will air each MotoGP Dash race, in addition to a brand new weekly biking present, highlights of the Giro d’Italia and La Vuelta a España.
WBD Sports activities Europe chief Scott Younger has stated “components” of the Tour de France will likely be proven on Quest too.
The modifications will not influence the Olympics, with WBD set to proceed sharing the rights with the BBC going ahead.
Much more modifications anticipated quickly
Evaluation by Jamie Harris, Assistant Know-how and Science Editor at The Solar
Broadcasting goes by means of an almighty shift in the meanwhile with the push towards streaming at a key level.
Regardless of this newest transfer, Discovery+’s days are seemingly numbered.
The streaming service has closed in a number of international locations already to make manner for a alternative, Max, bringing HBO and Discovery content material below one roof.
The UK is without doubt one of the few huge markets the place Max hasn’t launched but due to current agreements with Sky, permitting Sky Atlantic to air huge HBO-made hits like Sport of Thrones and The White Lotus.
However the pair not too long ago introduced a brand new deal that can pave the way in which for Max’s launch within the UK early 2026 as a standalone app, whereas Sky clients will get entry at no further value.
So anticipate even greater modifications within the TV and streaming world subsequent yr.
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