More than 200 employees of BT Sport are at risk of losing their jobs following the broadcaster's subsumption by Warner Bros. Discovery.
Last year BT closed a deal with the global broadcaster, which operates Eurosport, to form a new joint-venture service that is on course to eventually be fully-owned by the latter.
At some point in 2023 the new sport venture will unveil a new combined brand for the BT Sport and Eurosport channels in the UK - and as part of the process, SVG says that employees have been informed that redundancy is a possibility.
The terms of the venture see WBD manage the broadcaster's operations, and as a result, the BT Sport employee headcount is due to be reduced as part of operational efficiencies.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery said: "A consultation with representatives of BT Sport employees is underway. This results from the expiry of BT Sport's lease in Stratford and move to Warner Bros. Discovery's existing facilities, as well as a proposed reorganisation of the business.
"Finding operating efficiencies was envisioned by the BT and Warner Bros. Discovery joint venture and is critical to maintaining our competitiveness in a fast evolving and competitive environment. BT Sport employees have priority for the new roles that have been identified within Warner Bros. Discovery's sports organisation and broader business.
"Given the consultation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
The timescale for the process is currently unclear.
Neil Wilkes
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