YouTubeTV approached Warner Bros Discovery this spring about working together on a joint bid for NBA media rights, as reported by John Ourand at Puck News. The timing of the approach came after WBD’s exclusive negotiating window ended. YouTubeTV was originally in the running for the bid that ultimately went to Amazon and was seeking a way back into the deal.
While talks between the two parties did not progress to a serious stage, they have not been completely terminated. WBD is close to exercising its match rights option on the Amazon package, but it does not seem to be in collaboration with YouTubeTV.
WBD is confident that its combination of Max streaming service and linear television channels will be sufficient to match Amazon’s reach. The NBA is reportedly already looking beyond TNT and is prepared to fight in court if necessary.
