The Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) sports and entertainment giant has announced an early renewal of its distribution deal with Charter Communications which will see the US telecom company carry its linear video and streaming services.
Through the multi-year extension, Charter customers will have access to WBD’s Max and Discovery+ direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platforms.
The premium service of Max, including all HBO and Max content, as well as Discovery+, will be available across all Spectrum TV Select packages at no extra charge to customers, through what is described as a “mutually beneficial new arrangement” between the two companies.
The new long-term agreement also extends Spectrum’s carriage of WBD’s linear network portfolio, including TNT and TBS.
Spectrum subscribers will continue to have access to WBD’s portfolio of sports rights which includes basketball’s NBA (albeit for one more season), ice hockey’s NHL, Major League Baseball, NCAA college basketball, and action from the US national soccer teams.
David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “This innovative partnership with Charter recognizes the value of our linear content and the investments we’ve made in premium original programming, sports and news, while also significantly expanding the distribution of Max’s ad-supported service to Spectrum’s millions of Select customers.
“We did this agreement together nearly a year early to set a framework for the future and to provide more consumers access to our unparalleled content offering while giving the industry more resilience as it evolves. We are pleased this achieves each of our company’s objectives.”
The deal also establishes Max as a “preferred partner" for Spectrum when marketing and selling DTC apps and bundles to broadband subscribers.
Charter claims the addition of Max and Discovery+ represents a “game-changer” for Spectrum’s bundle proposition, which will also offer Disney+, ESPN+, and Paramount+.
Chris Winfrey, president and CEO of Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum brand, added: “This strategic relationship with WBD further evolves the linear and broadband video distribution model and supports Spectrum’s efforts to provide flexible packages.
“The inclusion of the ad-supported version of Max and Discovery+ in our most popular packages at no additional cost ensures we provide the most value to our customers.”
