ServusTV pulls premium sports from Joyn in 2026 platform shift
ServusTV is moving its premium sports coverage away from Joyn and onto its own platform, ServusTV On. The change will take effect from 1 January 2026, ending the parallel streaming of major events like Formula 1 and MotoGP on the third-party service.
This shift comes as Austrian broadcasters struggle with tighter advertising budgets and rising competition for expensive sports rights. From next year, all top-tier sports events will air exclusively on ServusTV On. This includes Formula 1, MotoGP, UEFA club competitions, the FIFA World Cup 2026, UEFA Euro 2028, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Viewers will no longer find live broadcasts of these events on Joyn, though the platform will still host ServusTV's on-demand library—just without premium sports.
The decision follows growing financial pressures in Austria's media market. With billions in ad revenue shifting to global tech giants, broadcasters face difficulties refinancing costly sports rights. By centralising its high-value content on ServusTV On, the broadcaster aims to strengthen its digital presence and expand its audience reach.
Instead of live streams, Joyn users will see a redirect to ServusTV On for major sports events starting in 2026. The move marks a clear break from the previous model, where ServusTV shared its premium content across multiple platforms. ServusTV's withdrawal from Joyn means all its top sports coverage will now sit behind its own service. The change reflects broader challenges in the media industry, where rising costs and shrinking ad budgets push broadcasters to control their content more tightly. Viewers will need to access ServusTV On to watch live events from 2026 onward.
