Pac-12 Extends Partnership with CW into 2030-31 and Embraces Remote Broadcasting Innovations with Lumen

August 27, 2025

Pac-12 Secures Long-Term Broadcast Extension With The CW Network

The Pac-12 Conference and The CW Network have announced a five-year extension of their domestic broadcasting rights agreement, ensuring continued coverage through the 2030-31 academic year. This move comes as the conference prepares for a revamped structure following recent membership shifts and anticipates a period of growth with incoming teams.

Deal details and Coverage

Under the terms of the extension, brokered by Octagon, The CW will broadcast 13 college football regular-season games annually. The network will also showcase 35 men’s basketball and 15 women’s basketball regular-season contests. Viewers can also expect to see the women’s basketball conference semifinals and championship games aired on The CW.

All 66 Pac-12 matches broadcast by The CW will be produced by Pac-12 Enterprises, the conference’s in-house media production arm. This partnership began during the 2024 college football season with a one-year deal, expanding to include collaborations with ESPN and CBS Sports for the 2025 season.

Broadcast Lineup & oregon State, Washington State games

The expanded coverage includes joint broadcasts with CBS and ESPN, notably for games involving Oregon State University (OSU) and Washington state University (WSU). The schedule allocates two games to CBS and Paramount+, nine to The CW, and two to ESPN. CBS has also secured rights for all sports once the new member schools formally join the conference.

Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership, highlighting its contribution to the growth of Pac-12 Enterprises and the enhanced national reach for current and future members.

Conference Restructuring & Future Membership

This agreement arrives as the Pac-12 prepares to function as a two-team conference for its final season, with eight colleges slated to join before the 2026-27 season.Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, san Diego State, Utah State, and Gonzaga are among the institutions joining Oregon State and Washington State. Furthermore, the conference must onboard at least one additional football-playing school to meet NCAA requirements.

The current restructuring follows the departure of ten former members to the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 conferences, fueled by more lucrative media rights deals offered by those conferences. For example,the Big 12 currently has a $2 billion agreement with Fox and ESPN extending through 2036.

Conference	Broadcasting Partner(s)	Deal Value & Duration
Pac-12	The CW, ESPN, CBS	Undisclosed (Extension through 2031)
Big 12	Fox, ESPN	$2 Billion (through 2036)

Technological Advancements in Broadcast Production

Pac-12 Enterprises has also partnered with Lumen Technologies to leverage its Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform for remote live sports broadcasts. The initial deployment will occur during Washington State’s season opener against Idaho on august 30th, broadcast on The CW. This includes access to Vyvx Broadcast Solutions and DIA/Wavelength services for improved connectivity and video distribution.

Dace Ward, Chief Technology and Product Officer at Lumen Technologies, noted the transformative nature of sports broadcasting and the pivotal role of Lumen’s technology in delivering a seamless, high-quality experiance for fans.

The Evolving Landscape of College Sports Broadcasting

The Pac-12’s situation exemplifies the ongoing shifts within college sports broadcasting. As streaming services gain prominence and consumer viewing habits evolve, conferences are continuously re-evaluating their media rights strategies. The ability to reach a broader audience through a diverse network of partners – as demonstrated by the Pac-12’s arrangements – is becoming increasingly crucial. The valuation of college sports rights has increased exponentially in recent years, with March Madness generating over $1.1 billion in ad revenue in 2023, according to Statista, highlighting the financial stakes involved.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Pac-12 & The CW

• What is the duration of the new Pac-12 and The CW broadcast agreement? The agreement extends through the 2030-31 academic year.
• How many football games will The CW broadcast each year? The CW will broadcast 13 college football regular-season games annually.
• What other sports will be covered under the agreement? Men’s and women’s basketball, with 35 men’s and 15 women’s regular-season games, along with women’s basketball conference semifinals and championships.
• What role does Pac-12 Enterprises play in the broadcasting process? Pac-12 Enterprises will produce all 66 matches broadcast by The CW.
• How will the new conference members impact the broadcasting rights? CBS has secured separate rights covering all sports starting when the new members join the Pac-12.
• What technology is Pac-12 using to improve its broadcasts? Pac-12 Enterprises is partnering with Lumen Technologies to utilize its NaaS platform for remote broadcasts.
• Why is the Pac-12 undergoing significant changes in membership? The conference experienced departures due to more lucrative media rights deals offered by other conferences.

What are your thoughts on the Pac-12’s strategy for rebuilding its conference? Do you believe the partnership with The CW will provide adequate exposure for the conference’s teams?

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How does the Pac-12’s partnership with Lumen Technologies contribute to cost efficiency in broadcasting operations?

A New Era for Pac-12 Coverage: CW Extension & Lumen Partnership

The pac-12 Conference has solidified its broadcast future, announcing a important extension of its media rights agreement with The CW Network through the 2030-31 season. This move, coupled with a strategic partnership with Lumen Technologies, signals a commitment to innovative broadcasting solutions and expanded reach for Pac-12 athletics. This represents a pivotal shift in college sports broadcasting, moving beyond traditional models.

The CW Partnership: Details and implications

The extended agreement with The CW ensures continued over-the-air access to Pac-12 football and basketball games for a broad audience. Key aspects of the deal include:

expanded Game Availability: The CW will continue to broadcast a ample number of Pac-12 events annually, including marquee football and basketball matchups.

National Reach: The CW’s national footprint provides Pac-12 programs with exposure to viewers across the United States.

Digital Integration: The partnership will further integrate with Pac-12 Insider, the conference’s digital platform, offering live streaming and on-demand content.

Financial Stability: The extension provides a crucial revenue stream for Pac-12 schools, supporting athletic programs and student-athlete growth. This is especially crucial in the evolving landscape of NCAA media rights.

Lumen technologies: Powering the Future of Remote Production

Central to the Pac-12’s broadcasting evolution is its collaboration with Lumen Technologies. Lumen will provide the infrastructure and technology to support a fully remote production model for Pac-12 events. This represents a significant investment in remote broadcasting technology.

What Does Remote Production entail?

Remote production,also known as “REMI” (Remote Event Management Infrastructure),drastically reduces the need for large on-site production crews. Instead, key production elements are handled remotely from a central hub. Here’s how Lumen’s technology facilitates this:

1. High-Bandwidth Connectivity: Lumen’s fiber network delivers the ultra-reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity required to transmit live video and audio feeds from game venues to the production hub.
2. IP-Based Video Transport: Lumen utilizes IP-based video transport solutions, enabling seamless and efficient delivery of multiple camera angles and other production elements.
3. Cloud-Based Production Tools: Integration with cloud-based production tools allows for remote editing, graphics creation, and replay operation.
4. Reduced Costs & environmental Impact: By minimizing on-site personnel and equipment, remote production considerably lowers production costs and reduces the carbon footprint of broadcasts.

Benefits of the Pac-12’s New Broadcasting Strategy

The combination of the CW extension and the Lumen partnership offers several key benefits:

Increased Accessibility: Over-the-air broadcasts on The CW make Pac-12 events accessible to a wider audience, particularly those without cable or satellite subscriptions.

Enhanced Production Quality: Lumen’s technology enables higher-quality broadcasts with more camera angles, instant replays, and advanced graphics.

Cost Efficiency: Remote production streamlines operations and reduces expenses, allowing the Pac-12 to allocate resources more effectively.

Innovation & Future-Proofing: Embracing remote production positions the Pac-12 at the forefront of broadcasting innovation, preparing it for the future of sports media.

Improved Fan Experience: Ultimately, these changes aim to deliver a more engaging and immersive experience for Pac-12 fans.

Real-World Applications & Case Studies (Early Implementations)

while the full rollout is ongoing, early implementations of the Lumen-powered remote production model have already yielded positive results. During select Pac-12 basketball games in the 2024-25 season, Lumen’s technology enabled:

Seamless Multi-camera Switching: Production crews were able to seamlessly switch between multiple camera angles, providing viewers with a dynamic and comprehensive viewing experience.

Real-Time Graphics Integration: Advanced graphics packages were integrated in real-time, enhancing the visual presentation of the broadcasts.

Reduced On-Site footprint: The on-site production crew was reduced by over 50%, demonstrating the efficiency of the remote production model.

The Impact on