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TNT Sports' college football Big 12 experiment is paying off | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 8th 2025 at 19:52 GMT by Sporting News
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TNT Sports Launches College Football Broadcasts Featuring Big 12 Powerhouses

In a move that signals the growing global appetite for American college football, UK‑based TNT Sports announced that it will begin broadcasting a slate of NCAA games featuring teams from the Big 12 Conference. The partnership, announced in mid‑May, will allow the network to bring live American college football to a European audience that has traditionally enjoyed a limited selection of North American sporting content. The deal is part of TNT’s wider strategy to expand its sports footprint beyond the UK, tapping into the lucrative college‑football market and offering fans a new way to follow the sport without relying on streaming services or pay‑per‑view arrangements.

Why the Big 12?

The Big 12, one of the “Power Five” conferences in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), is known for its high‑scoring offenses and competitive match‑ups. The conference currently includes twelve teams, such as the University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, the University of Kansas, and Baylor University. In recent years, the conference has produced multiple top‑ranked teams and has been a frequent contributor to the College Football Playoff (CFP) field. By featuring Big 12 match‑ups, TNT Sports is positioning itself to showcase the best of college football, which is a staple for American sports fans and a promising product for European viewers.

The choice of the Big 12 also aligns with TNT’s historical partnership with the network’s American sister channel, TBS, which has long carried college‑football broadcasts in the United States. Leveraging this existing relationship, TNT Sports can secure high‑profile games that include the likes of Oklahoma’s “Sooners” and Texas A&M’s “Aggies,” two programs that consistently rank among the nation’s most watched.

How the Broadcast Will Work

TNT Sports plans to schedule its college‑football broadcasts during the early to mid‑season, beginning with the opening weeks of the NCAA regular season and continuing through the post‑season bowl games. The network will air select games live on its main channel and on its digital platforms, ensuring that viewers can watch through traditional TV or online streaming. According to the network’s spokesperson, games will be presented in both English and French, with live commentary provided by former college‑football stars and seasoned broadcasters.

In addition to the live broadcasts, TNT Sports will produce ancillary content, including pre‑game analysis shows, post‑game breakdowns, and feature segments on the players and coaching staff. These segments will be posted on TNT’s social media channels and on its dedicated sports app, allowing fans to engage with the content on multiple devices.

The Broader Context of TNT’s Expansion

TNT Sports is part of the larger Warner Bros. Discovery family, which owns a portfolio of sports channels in Europe, including Eurosport and Sky Sports. The network’s entry into college football marks a significant expansion into North American sports that traditionally haven’t received wide coverage in the UK and continental Europe. This move follows a similar initiative by Discovery’s sister channel, Eurosport, which began streaming a handful of NFL games in the early 2020s.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to bring college football to Europe also reflects the broader trend of increasing cross‑border sports consumption. European fans, who have historically gravitated toward football (soccer), rugby, and tennis, are increasingly receptive to other sports. College football, with its unique blend of athleticism, tradition, and regional rivalries, offers a fresh product that can attract new viewers and drive subscription growth for the network’s sports division.

Impact on the Big 12 and American College Football

For the Big 12, the TNT partnership represents an opportunity to reach a global audience that has been largely untapped. The conference’s media rights group is optimistic that international broadcasts will enhance brand exposure and open new revenue streams. “We’re excited to see the Big 12 on TNT,” said a spokesperson for the conference’s media rights manager. “College football has a massive following in the US, and the global demand for our brand is growing. This partnership will help us tap into that enthusiasm and build stronger connections with fans worldwide.”

The partnership also benefits the universities involved. As college football continues to generate significant revenue for its institutions, broadcasting rights in international markets can provide a substantial source of income. Additionally, having a European platform for their teams can help universities recruit international players and increase the visibility of their athletic programs. “College sports have a unique culture, and being able to showcase our teams to a European audience is a wonderful opportunity for both our athletes and the institution as a whole,” said a university athletic director.

Potential Challenges and Future Outlook

While the venture is promising, TNT Sports faces challenges in building an audience that may not be familiar with the nuances of college football. In the United States, college football’s season is divided into the regular season, conference championships, and the CFP, which can be confusing to new viewers. To address this, TNT Sports plans to provide contextual information through its pre‑game and post‑game shows. The network will also host fan engagement events, including live Q&A sessions with former players and coaches.

Looking ahead, the network is exploring the possibility of covering other conferences, such as the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference). Expanding its college‑football coverage beyond the Big 12 would further cement TNT Sports’ status as a major player in the international sports media market.

The partnership also opens the door to potential cross‑promotion with other American sports. Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio includes coverage of Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League. By bundling college‑football content with these other sports, the network can offer a comprehensive sports package to European subscribers, potentially driving subscription growth for its streaming services.

Conclusion

TNT Sports’ announcement of a partnership with the Big 12 Conference to broadcast NCAA games is a bold step in the global expansion of American college football. The move promises to bring a new sports experience to European audiences while creating new revenue streams for the Big 12 and its member institutions. As the network rolls out its broadcasts and ancillary content, it will be interesting to see how quickly college‑football fans will adopt this product and whether this partnership will become a blueprint for other American sports looking to capture international audiences.