Warner Bros. Discovery appoints Sky Media as its advertising sales partner in the UK & Ireland discovery
New multi-year deal agreed for 2026 onwards and builds on the longstanding and strong partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) UK & Ireland and Sky Media
Brands can now access WBD's advertising and sponsorship inventory across linear television and streaming, including HBO Max when it launches in early 2026, via Sky Media
The WBD UK & Ireland Ad Sales team will continue to support advertisers in creating bespoke partnerships opportunities
8 October 2025 - London, UK - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has today announced the appointment of Sky Media as its ad sales partner in the UK & Ireland. The new multi-year agreement consolidates the representation of WBD's advertising inventory into a single partner, making it simpler for brands to access WBD's extensive portfolio of assets in market, as well as broadens the collaboration between the two organisations across the UK and Ireland.
Under the new agreement, Sky Media will represent WBD's linear television entertainment and sport brands in the UK and Ireland from January 2026. As the 5th largest commercial broadcaster in the UK, the vast portfolio includes Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, DMAX, Food Network, Quest, Quest Red, Really, TLC, TNT Sports and more. Sky Media will also be responsible for advertising sales across WBD's streaming services, including discovery and the highly anticipated HBO Max, set to launch in early 2026.
Mike Rich, Warner Bros. Discovery Group SVP Ad Sales and Brand Partnerships, UK & Ireland and International, said: We are delighted to expand our relationship with Sky Media, appointing them as our advertising sales partner in the UK & Ireland from January 2026. With the exciting launch of HBO Max in the UK & Ireland next year, combined with our strength in linear, streaming and across live sport, it's an incredible opportunity for us to simplify and streamline access to Warner Bros. Discovery's unique inventory in market via this partnership with Sky Media. WBD's UK Ad Sales team will work with Sky Media to continue to support advertisers and agencies in developing creative bespoke partnerships that leverage the strength of our brands and franchises.
The new deal builds on Sky Media's current role representing WBD in market, selling across many of WBD UK & Ireland's linear television channels, including TNT Sports. WBD's UK linear portfolio - which includes over 20 channels - brings much-loved international formats and local British stories and voices to audiences and is combined with discovery , one of the fastest-growing streaming services in the UK. The growth of discovery has been accelerated by TNT Sports, launched in 2023, bringing sports fans in the UK & Ireland an extensive range of the best premium live sport with a rights portfolio that includes the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League football, international and PREM Rugby, cycling, tennis, MotoGP, The Ashes, the Olympic Games, UFC and more.
In early 2026, Sky Media will also represent HBO Max as part of WBD's in-market offer, following the streaming service's launch in the UK & Ireland. Now available in 90 markets, subscribers in the UK & Ireland can look forward to a wide of premium content including HBO Originals, Warner Bros. Movies, Max Originals, DC Universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and much more.
Sky Media will work in close partnership with WBD's UK & Ireland Ad Sales team who will continue to offer brand expertise for advertisers seeking unique and bespoke sponsorship opportunities and broader partnerships. WBD UK & Ireland Ad Sales will also retain direct sales responsibility for its short-form digital advertising inventory across a broad range of entertainment and sports franchises on their social media platforms and YouTube.
Priya Dogra, Sky's Chief Advertising and Group Data Officer, said: We're excited to be deepening our partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery. Sky Media's strength lies in helping advertisers build meaningful connections with audiences through the content they love. Together with WBD's world-class sports and entertainment brands, and Sky Media's unrivalled portfolio of premium platforms, we are in an even stronger position to help brands grow their influence across live, on-demand, and digital experiences.
Media enquiries contact:
uk.corporatecomms@wbd.com
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world's most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and fifty languages. For more visit www.wbd.com
About Sky Media
Sky Media is the advertising sales arm of Sky, helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to grow. Through world-class premium content & channels, combined with market-leading data-driven innovations like AdSmart, Sky Media connects brands with audiences wherever they are, however they watch.
Reaching over 88% of the UK population, Sky Media represents over 130 channels including all of Sky's quality channels and sites including Sky Sports, Sky News, Sky Max, Sky Showcase, Sky Cinema, Sky Arts, Sky Atlantic, Sky Crime, Sky Comedy, Sky Witness, Sky Nature, Sky Documentaries and Sky HISTORY. Sky Media also sells on behalf of a range of renowned broadcasters including Warner Bros. Discovery (Discovery, Quest, TNT Sports), Paramount (5, MTV, Comedy Central), Narrative, Hearst Networks and AMC Networks.
