Saturday, May 9, 2026

Max Will Use Free Sports To Lure New Streaming Subscribers

  • Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly will launch its Max sports tier this fall at no extra cost.
  • Max could start charging more for sports content by the start of the NBA playoffs.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Live sports will be a crucial part of Max’s evolution as a streaming service.

Warner Bros. Discovery will offer game broadcasts for no additional charge when it launches the Max sports tier this fall, coinciding with the MLB playoffs, according to Bloomberg

WBD has traditionally put its package of games on cable channels like TBS and TNT.

Max currently costs $10 per month with ads and $16 without ads, and the new report claims customers will have to start paying extra for the sports content during the big spring events of March Madness, the NBA and NHL playoffs.

Last month, WBD CEO David Zaslav said the company had digital rights for all its sports deals — but a source told FOS at the time that it was still discussing game simulcasts on Max with WBD.

As of now, there are no indications that any sports content will be exclusively available on Max. It is also unclear how much the sports tier will cost, or whether it could simply be a part of the higher-priced, ad-free Max subscription.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Kim Ng: Don’t Expect Robot Umps in Pro Softball Anytime Soon

The AUSL commissioner said her league doesn’t need ABS—yet.
May 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) talks to an referee John Goble mid court after the end of game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Reaves, Redick Target Officiating After Lakers Lose to Thunder

Reaves confronted crew chief John Goble after the game.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban walks off the court after the game against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

Why Mark Cuban Bought Into a Canadian Basketball Team

“Canada is producing more stars than any other country.”
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) goes up for a rebound against Connecticut Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) and Connecticut Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) in the first half during the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Expanded Basketball Tournaments Will Yield NCAA $50M a Year

The deal guarantees the NCAA will be able to cover additional operating expenses.

Featured Today

Matt Palumb

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
May 2, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobjanidze (11) reacts to his goal against the CF Montréal in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit
May 7, 2026

How Atlanta Unexpectedly Became the Epicenter of U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer is opening a new national HQ in Georgia.
Tottenham Hotspur
May 6, 2026

Tottenham Hotspur Is Facing a Billion-Dollar Disaster

A seemingly improbable drop to England’s second tier is a tangible possibility.
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League
May 5, 2026

How Private Equity Fell in Love With Indian Cricket

India’s U.S.-style cricket league has become a private-equity playground.
Skip Bayless, Stephen A Smith Shae Cornette First Take
opinion

Skip Bayless Re-Energizes ‘First Take’ in ESPN Return

Will more appearances by Bayless follow?
Potawatomi Sports Book patrons watch from the bar the University of Wisconsin men play UCLA on Friday, March 14, 2025. The venue is open for the first time during March Madness and is expecting to be busy over the next few weeks in Milwaukee.
May 7, 2026

Live Sports Streaming Ad Market Rife With Fraud, Experts Say

The rise of streaming has led to issues with ad sales.
Mina Kimes on Front Office News
May 8, 2026

Mina Kimes Wants to Bring Super Bowl Vibe to Spelling Bee

Kimes will host the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts to a call against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
opinion
May 7, 2026

Draymond Green Embarrassed Himself With Charles Barkley Diss

Green took an ill-advised swipe at Barkley’s four seasons in Houston.
Jun 7, 2025; Paris, FR; General view of Court Philippe Chatrier for the Coco Gauff of the United States and Aryna Sabalenka womenÕs final on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
May 7, 2026

Venus Williams, John Isner Expand Roles on TNT French Open Coverage

Genie Bouchard is also joining TNT’s coverage.
May 7, 2026

MLB Is Seeing an Early Ratings Lift From New-Look TV Deals

The league’s new-look rights pacts are paying off so far.
May 6, 2026

Kara Lawson Took Amazon Job to Scout WNBA Players for Team USA

Lawson will be a WNBA game analyst for Amazon Prime Video.