Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday said that Max will stream live sports on its service through the Bleacher Report Sports Add-On tier.
The Bleacher Report tier will launch on October 5, and will be available for free to all customers through February 29. Afterwards, the add-on will cost $9.99 a month, and is available on all tiers. The package will include live games from the MLB, NHL, NBA, U.S. Soccer, the NCAA March Madness tournament and more.
The Bleacher Report Sports Add-On tier is the latest example of the growing importance of live sports in streaming. Apple TV has seen huge success with its MLS package, thanks to Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami CF, while Amazon streaming “Thursday Night Football” games and YouTube TV now offers NFL’s Sunday Ticket. Warner Bros. The October 5 launch date is two days before the National League Division Series, and comes ahead of the start of the NBA and NHL seasons.
Max is looking for its extensive lineup of sports to give it an edge against other streaming services. The company is firmly entrenched in the lower tier of streaming services, opposite must-haves like Netflix, and needs something to stand out. Sports and live news are the company’s biggest bets.
“We want to be everywhere sports fans are and our unparalleled offering of leading sports, combined with the power of the Bleacher Report brand and content, including the unique way B/R engages with young sports fans, all delivered through the new Max platform will enable us to broaden our audience and delight new fans,” said Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
All live games airing on a Warner Bros. Discovery network, such as TNT and TBS, will be available on Max through this add-on. Max will also offer pre- and post-game programming around events, as well as a VOD library of sports documentaries, drawing from its HBO Sports and WBD Sports catalog. The tier will also include live video and other content
The free window offers a load of big events, from the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament to the the NHL Winter Classic. But you’ll have to start paying if you want to catch March Madness and the NBA and NHL playoffs on Max.
Discovery CEO David Zaslav teased the service during an investor conference earlier this month.
“We have a very comprehensive strategic attack plan on sports,” he said.