Thursday, April 16, 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

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field.

Efforts to Fight Sports Streaming Fragmentation Ramp Up in D.C.

“It’s not only confusing, it’s also damn expensive.”
Mar 15, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Play-In Clash Carries Major Offseason Stakes for Clippers, Warriors

Uncertainty swirls around Steve Kerr and Kawhi Leonard.
Mar 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

NBA Viewership Up 16% in Year 1 of New Media Deal

The league faced heavy scrutiny last year for its declining ratings.

NHL, Capitals Brace for Life After Ovechkin—and a Huge Void

The Russian superstar has driven extensive business across hockey.

Featured Today

blake griffin

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What’s Next for Dianna Russini? Sports Media Insiders Debate Her Future

Russini has made it clear she plans to continue her career.
April 14, 2026

Amazon Broadcast Crashes in Final Minute of Its Biggest NBA Game Yet

Viewers missed 22 critical seconds of the Hornets-Heat game.
LaChina Robinson Sarah Kustok
exclusive
April 15, 2026

LaChina Robinson, Sarah Kustok Expected to Join WNBA on NBC

NBC’s WNBA coverage continues to take shape.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
April 14, 2026

Rory Triumph Delivers 14M Masters Viewers for CBS, Most Since 2015

CBS peaked with more than 20 million viewers Sunday.
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit:
April 14, 2026

Dianna Russini Resigns From The Athletic After Mike Vrabel Photos

The Athletic previously sidelined Russini from reporting as it investigated.
Apr 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
April 14, 2026

Masters Disaster: Why CBS Sports’s Coverage Went Off the Rails

TV experts offer their theories on what went wrong.
ESPN's Jay Bilas speaks during ESPN's 'College GameDay' broadcast ahead of No. 4 Tennessee's basketball game against No. 10 Texas at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.
exclusive
April 13, 2026

Bilas to Fill Malone’s Role on ESPN NBA Playoff Coverage

Bilas will call playoff games alongside Ryan Ruocco.