Turner Sports

Turner Sports
Name	Turner Sports
Founded	0 1982
Founder	Ted Turner
Parent	Warner Bros. Discovery
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Key people	Lenny Daniels (President)
Industry	Sports television
Services	Sports broadcasting
Website	https://www.turnersports.com/

Turner Sports. It is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery responsible for sports broadcasts across its portfolio of cable networks and digital platforms. Founded by media mogul Ted Turner in 1982, it has grown from a regional broadcaster into a major player in national sports media. The division is renowned for its innovative production techniques and its acquisition of major professional sports rights, significantly shaping the modern sports broadcasting landscape.

History

The division was launched in 1982 with the broadcast of Atlanta Braves games on the Superstation TBS, leveraging the reach of Ted Turner's cable empire. A pivotal early move was the 1990 acquisition of broadcast rights to the National Football League, bringing NFC games to TNT and establishing its national credibility. The 1990s saw further expansion with the creation of the Goodwill Games and the launch of NBA on TNT, which began a transformative partnership with the National Basketball Association. Major milestones include the 2001 merger with AOL Time Warner and the 2014 joint venture with CBS Sports to manage NCAA March Madness and the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The 2016 acquisition of rights to Major League Baseball postseason games and a shared package for the NBA with ESPN solidified its status as a premier sports broadcaster, culminating in its current structure under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella following the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc..

Programming

Its programming strategy centers on live game coverage, complemented by extensive studio shows and original content. Flagship studio programs include *Inside the NBA* on TNT, hosted by Ernie Johnson and featuring analysts like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, which is renowned for its entertainment value. For Major League Baseball, it produces the MLB on TBS Sunday afternoon package and exclusive postseason coverage, including the American League Championship Series. Coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament is a massive undertaking, with games aired across TBS, TNT, truTV, and CBS, featuring the popular "Team Stream" broadcasts. Other programming includes National Hockey League regular season and playoff games on TNT, coverage of Professional Fighters League events, and the All Elite Wrestling weekly series *Dynamite*.

Sports properties

It holds broadcast rights to a prestigious portfolio of major sports leagues and events. Its longest and most prominent relationship is with the National Basketball Association, sharing a national television package with ESPN that includes regular season games, the NBA All-Star Game, and extensive coverage of the NBA playoffs. It also holds significant rights to Major League Baseball, including a regular season Sunday afternoon window and exclusive coverage of one League Championship Series annually. Through its partnership with CBS Sports, it is a co-rights holder for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Other key properties include regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs games from the National Hockey League, United States Soccer Federation matches, and Professional Fighters League events. It also holds the cable rights for the PGA Championship as part of a deal with CBS Sports.

Notable personalities

The on-air talent roster features some of the most recognizable figures in sports media. The *Inside the NBA* studio team, led by host Ernie Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith, is celebrated for its chemistry and has won multiple Sports Emmy Awards. Veteran play-by-play voices include Brian Anderson (MLB, NBA, NCAA), Ian Eagle (NBA, NCAA), and Kevin Harlan (NBA, NCAA). Renowned game analysts have included the late Hubie Brown and Doris Burke for the NBA, alongside Ron Darling and Jeff Francoeur for Major League Baseball. Reporters like Allie LaForce and Craig Sager, known for his vibrant suits, have also become iconic figures through their work on the NBA on TNT and NCAA March Madness broadcasts.

Technology and innovations

It has been a pioneer in deploying new technologies to enhance sports viewing. It was an early adopter of high-definition broadcasting and has been a leader in the production of events in 4K resolution. A signature innovation is the "Team Stream" broadcast for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, which offers dedicated commentary focused on a single team. For the NBA on TNT, it introduced "Player Tracking" graphics and the "Area 21" segment with Kevin Garnett. It has also heavily invested in virtual reality and augmented reality graphics for its studio shows and game broadcasts. The division leverages the Bleacher Report digital platform for integrated content and fan engagement, and it streams live events through services like Max via the B/R Sports Add-On.

Corporate structure and partnerships

The division operates as a key component of Warner Bros. Discovery's WBD Sports group, which consolidates all sports assets. It works closely with sister networks like TBS, TNT, truTV, and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim for alternative broadcasts. A foundational partnership is the joint venture with CBS Sports for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, which includes collaborative production and sales. Its acquisition of Bleacher Report in 2012 created a powerful synergy between linear television and digital media. Other significant partnerships include its long-term agreements with the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League, as well as its production relationship with All Elite Wrestling.

Category:Sports television in the United States Category:Warner Bros. Discovery Category:Companies based in Atlanta