VIRGIN Media customers should check their emails for a bittersweet TV upgrade in light of a major channel’s imminent closure.
Last week, Eurosport announced that it will disappear from UK screens at the end of February after 35 years on-air.
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Fans have been left in despair about the future of free-to-air sport, with Eurosport home to tennis, the Tour de France, winter sports and more.
Much of the content is expected to move to TNT Sports channels, which is owned by the same company, Warner Bros Discovery (WBD).
However, TNT packages for Virgin Media and Sky customers cost £30 per month.
To soften the blow, selected Virgin Media customers who regularly watch Eurosport are being offered TNT Sports at no extra cost, the firm has confirmed to The Sun.
Read more about Virgin Media
The offer is being issued for the remainder of the customer’s contract – after that, they will have to pay full price.
Customers have reported already receiving an email alerting them of the upgrade, so others should also check.
“Following Warner Bro Discovery’s decision to stop broadcasting Eurosport channels in the UK from later this month, in cases where we know customers regularly view Eurosport content, we will provide access to TNT Sports for the remainder of their contract at no extra cost,” a Virgin rep told The Sun.
“We have already contacted these customers to advise them of the channel closure and of the options available to them to continue to access Eurosport content.”
Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 will cease broadcasting on February 28.
The channel will continue to exist in other markets outside of the UK.
Some content will be moved to WBD’s free channel Quest.
Quest will air every MotoGP Sprint race, as well as a new weekly cycling show, highlights of the Giro d’Italia and La Vuelta a España.
WBD Sports Europe chief Scott Young has said “parts” of the Tour de France will be shown on Quest too.
The changes won’t impact the Olympics, with WBD set to continue sharing the rights with the BBC going forward.
Even more changes expected soon
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
Broadcasting is going through an almighty shift at the moment with the push toward streaming at a key point.
Despite this latest move, Discovery+’s days are likely numbered.
The streaming service has closed in several countries already to make way for a replacement, Max, bringing HBO and Discovery content under one roof.
The UK is one of the few big markets where Max hasn’t launched yet because of existing agreements with Sky, allowing Sky Atlantic to air big HBO-made hits like Game of Thrones and The White Lotus.
But the pair recently announced a new deal that will pave the way for Max’s launch in the UK early 2026 as a standalone app, while Sky customers will get access at no extra cost.
So expect even bigger changes in the TV and streaming world next year.
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