Soccer on The CW? Channel wants TV rights for ESPN+ games

Having already acquired several sports properties, The CW may turn its attention to soccer. Nexstar Media Group’s broadcast TV channel had previously been reserved for TV shows, movies, and news programs. However, in 2023, the channel dipped into the sports market with the American rights to LIV Golf broadcasts.

Yet, the plan for the channel is to add to a blooming array of sports properties with content from ESPN. The CW is currently in talks with ESPN as a potential partner to put more sports content on the channel. In an interview with Deadline, The CW President Dennis Miller said the rate at which the channel is acquiring sports TV rights has been surprising for everyone at the company.

Nexstar, which owns 75% of the CW, has benefited from the struggles of regional sports networks in recent years. Not only are rights deals cheaper, but they are becoming more readily available. As a result, The CW added several sports properties to go along with its broadcasting of LIV Golf. For example, college football, college basketball, the WWE, and NASCAR now use the CW as a means of broadcast TV.

The CW is using MLS as an example

The next natural step, at least in the eyes of The CW, is giving ESPN+ content a home on over-the-air broadcast TV. Miller used MLS Season Pass from Apple TV as an example. All games are available on streaming via Apple’s platforms. However, one game per week is usually available on linear television through FOX or Fox Sports 1.

According to Deadline, “Miller said execs are in active discussions with ESPN and other companies about potentially grabbing linear broadcast rights to properties that live elsewhere. A template for that has emerged with sports like the MLS, which created a new streaming venture with Apple but then cut a linear deal with Fox. Miller said those arrangements could be game-changers for The CW and its affiliates, which had subsisted on a diet of 10 to 12 hours of originals every week.”

The…

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/soccer-on-the-cw-channel-wants-tv-rights-for-espn-games/

Author : Kyle Fansler

Publish date : 2024-05-20 15:32:29

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