Warner Bros. Discovery renews equestrian rights

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has renewed and expanded its partnership with Global Champions (GC), securing multi-year rights to broadcast premier equestrian events including the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL team series.

The agreement ensures live coverage reaches viewers across 75 markets in Europe and Asia via WBD’s channels and platforms, including Eurosport, TNT Sports, in UK and Ireland, and streaming services Max and discovery+.

WBD will provide broadcast coverage of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix and both GCL rounds of each stage, plus all four days of the GC Prague Playoffs. Streaming platforms will offer comprehensive live coverage of every event throughout the season. Additionally, two post-season highlights programmes will be produced for linear and on-demand viewing.

Trojan Paillot, SVP Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndications at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said, “In our role as one of the world’s leading storytellers, our mission is to shine a light on the greatest variety of premium sports events anywhere, making them accessible by scaling live and on-demand coverage to the widest possible audience. In this way, we have a proven track record of helping sports to grow by reaching new audiences.

“By renewing our partnership with the Global Champions, we are pleased to continue building our portfolio of world-class equestrian events. By adding even more events from the Longines Global Champions Team & GCL seasons, we are providing year-round coverage of this majestic sport and even greater visibility between Olympic cycles.”

Jan Tops, Founder and President of the Longines Global Champions Tour, said, “This renewed partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery is a powerful step forward in our mission to grow the sport of show jumping on a global scale. By bringing the Longines Global Champions Tour and League to millions of households across Europe and Asia, we’re not only showcasing top-level sport but also inspiring a new generation of fans and riders. Together, we are expanding the reach, visibility and impact of show jumping like never before.”