Skydance has secured exclusive ownership of NCAA men’s basketball tournament rights starting in 2027, following the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. This consolidation ends the 16-year joint-venture model between CBS and TNT Sports, centralizing production and distribution for the $1.1 billion annual rights package.
The centralization of these rights under Skydance eliminates the operational complexity of the previous joint-venture model, allowing for unified advertising sales and streaming strategies across a single corporate ecosystem. By controlling the full $1.1 billion package, Skydance gains significant leverage in the sports media landscape, particularly as it integrates the former Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery assets. This move signals a shift away from the multi-network partnerships that once mitigated high rights costs, favoring total control over premium live content. Watch for how Skydance utilizes its combined streaming platforms to manage the expanded 2027 tournament field and whether it maintains the traditional linear distribution footprint.
Skydance has secured exclusive control over the $1.1 billion March Madness rights beginning in 2027, ending the 16-year joint venture between CBS Sports and TNT Sports. This consolidation allows Skydance to unify advertising and streaming strategies, signaling a shift toward total corporate control over premium live sports content distribution.
Skydance will take exclusive control of the March Madness rights beginning in 2027.
The annual rights fee for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is $1.1 billion.
The 16-year joint venture between CBS Sports and TNT Sports will terminate, with the 2026 tournament being the final edition produced under the shared arrangement.
The existing contract for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament runs through 2032.
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