Streaming Shift: HBO Max Takes Over UK Snooker Coverage from Discovery+
Sports enthusiasts in the United Kingdom are navigating an increasingly complex landscape of streaming platforms, with another significant transition on the horizon. HBO Max is poised to launch as the new streaming service for TNT Sports content starting Thursday, March 26, 2026. This move marks a departure from the current platform, discovery+, which has been broadcasting a diverse array of sports, including Premier League and Champions League football matches.
Impact on Snooker Broadcasting
For dedicated snooker fans, this change carries particular weight. Discovery+ has served as a key streaming outlet for World Snooker Tour events aired on TNT Sports. The platform has provided coverage of prestigious Triple Crown tournaments, complementing BBC broadcasts, alongside Home Nations competitions and various international events exclusively available through TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK.
This season alone, discovery+ has streamed major ranking tournaments such as the high-stakes Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, the recent World Grand Prix, the International Championship, and the Xi’an Grand Prix. Looking ahead, the remainder of the season on TNT Sports will feature the Welsh Open, the World Open, and the culminating World Championship in April-May 2026.
What the Transition Entails for Subscribers
The shift from discovery+ to HBO Max brings minimal disruption but no cost reduction. The TNT Sports Plan on HBO Max will maintain its current pricing at £30.99 per month, mirroring the discovery+ rate. Subscribers will retain access to live streams of TNT Sports channels 1-4 and all content previously available on discovery+, which will migrate to the new platform.
Existing customers simply need to download the HBO Max application and log in using their existing discovery+ credentials. As confirmed by TNT Sports: ‘discovery+ TNT Sports plan – From 26th March 2026, your subscription will continue on HBO Max. On 26 March, download the HBO Max app and sign in using your discovery+ email and password.’
For viewers accessing TNT Sports via alternative providers like BT, Prime Video, or EE, specific account impacts should be verified directly with those services.
Free-to-Air Snooker Alternatives
While the HBO Max subscription offers extensive snooker coverage, the £30.99 monthly fee may be prohibitive for some fans. Fortunately, the current season presents ample free-to-air viewing opportunities:
- The Players Championship (February 17-22) and the Tour Championship (March 30-April 5) have relocated to Channel 5 and 5Action from ITV.
- The Welsh Open (February 23-March 1) will air on BBC Wales.
- The World Championship (April 18-May 4) returns to the BBC.
- World Championship qualifiers, including Judgement Days on April 14-15, have been streamed free on World Snooker Tour social media in recent years.
This blend of subscription and free broadcasts ensures snooker remains accessible to a broad audience amidst the evolving digital sports landscape.
