Pac-12 Announces The CW as Primary Media Partner for 2026
Table of Contents
- 1. Pac-12 Announces The CW as Primary Media Partner for 2026
- 2. Implications for College Football Coverage
- 3. Auburn’s Friday Night matchup
- 4. The Evolving Landscape of College sports Broadcasting
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions
- 6. How might the Pac-12’s expansion strategy be influenced by the CW’s reach and programming priorities?
- 7. The CW Media Deal: Implications for the Pac-12 Conference Expansion and Visibility
- 8. The Shifting Landscape of College Sports Broadcasting
- 9. Understanding the CW-Diamond Sports Group Partnership
- 10. Pac-12 Expansion: A New Prospect?
- 11. Visibility Challenges and Potential solutions
- 12. The Role of Streaming in the Pac-12’s Future
- 13. Case Study: The ACC and ESPN+
- 14. Impact on Pac-12 Football and Basketball
the Pac-12 Conference has officially declared The CW network as one of its primary broadcasting partners, a partnership slated to begin with the 2026 season. This collaboration represents a crucial step in the reshaping of the conference’s media landscape and future direction.
The decision arrives as the Pac-12 navigates a new era,following significant changes in its membership and a repositioning of its broadcasting rights. Officials anticipate that The CW’s reach will bolster the league’s visibility and engagement with fans.
Implications for College Football Coverage
this alliance could reshape how college football games are televised, possibly offering viewers choice viewing options beyond conventional sports networks. the CW’s inclusion as a primary partner suggests a broader effort to disseminate Pac-12 content to a wider audience.
Alongside this announcement,key matchups are already drawing attention. Georgia Tech is scheduled to compete against Colorado, a game anticipated to showcase Georgia Tech’s progress following positive preseason assessments. Similarly, Brian Kelly’s Clemson team faces a critical battle against a challenging opponent.
Auburn’s Friday Night matchup
On Friday night, Auburn University, led by Head Coach Hugh Freeze, will confront Baylor in a pivotal contest. Analysts suggest that a victory is essential for the Tigers, offering a substantial boost to team morale and confidence. ‘Locked On Auburn’ host zac blackerby recently outlined strategies for Auburn to secure this important win.
Did You Know? The CW is a joint venture between Paramount global and Warner Bros. Discovery, reaching over 100 million viewers weekly.
Pro Tip: keep an eye on the CW’s programming schedule in 2026 to see how they integrate Pac-12 games into their lineup.
| Team | Opponent | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | Colorado | validating Offseason Hype |
| Clemson | [Opponent Name] | Securing a crucial Win for Coach Kelly |
| Auburn | Baylor | Achieving a Vital Victory Under Coach Freeze |
What impact do you think this partnership will have on the visibility of Pac-12 athletics? How will The CW’s programming choices influence the fan experience?
The Evolving Landscape of College sports Broadcasting
The Pac-12’s deal with The CW is part of a larger trend within college athletics, where conferences are actively seeking new broadcasting avenues to maximize revenue and reach. The shift away from traditional television networks and toward streaming services and broader distribution platforms is accelerating.According to a recent report by Deloitte, streaming revenue in sports is projected to increase by 15% annually over the next five years.
This trend reflects changing consumer habits and the growing demand for flexible viewing options. Conferences are now prioritizing partnerships that allow them to control their broadcasting rights and deliver content directly to fans.The Pac-12’s move to include The CW demonstrates a willingness to embrace innovative strategies in a rapidly changing media environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does this partnership mean for Pac-12 fans? This partnership aims to provide Pac-12 fans with greater access to games and content through The CW’s broadcasting platform.
- When will the partnership between the Pac-12 and The CW officially begin? The partnership is scheduled to commence with the 2026 season.
- Why did the Pac-12 choose The CW as a media partner? The CW offers a broad reach and a platform for expanding the conference’s visibility.
- how will this affect the coverage of Auburn games? Auburn’s games, like other Pac-12 events, might potentially be featured on The CW’s programming schedule, potentially increasing their exposure.
- What other significant college football games are taking place this week? Georgia Tech versus Colorado and Clemson’s upcoming game are among the highlighted games drawing considerable attention.
How might the Pac-12’s expansion strategy be influenced by the CW’s reach and programming priorities?
The CW Media Deal: Implications for the Pac-12 Conference Expansion and Visibility
The Shifting Landscape of College Sports Broadcasting
The recent agreement between The CW and Diamond Sports Group,owner of regional sports networks (RSNs),marks a notable turning point in college sports broadcasting. This deal, finalized in August 2024, has ripple effects extending far beyond baseball, directly impacting the future of Pac-12 Conference expansion and its quest for increased visibility. For years, the pac-12 struggled with media rights negotiations, ultimately leading to the departures of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington to other conferences. The CW deal presents both opportunities and challenges for the remaining – and perhaps expanding – Pac-12.
Understanding the CW-Diamond Sports Group Partnership
the core of the agreement involves The CW acquiring a minority equity stake in Diamond sports Group and broadcasting certain MLB games on its network. Crucially, this partnership also opens the door for college sports content. The CW, aiming to bolster its primetime programming, is actively seeking to fill its schedule with live sports, a demographic previously untapped. This creates a potential avenue for the Pac-12 to regain a foothold in national television coverage.
Key components:
The CW gains access to live sports programming.
Diamond Sports Group receives financial stability.
Potential for expanded college sports coverage on The CW network.
Impact on RSNs: The deal doesn’t fully resolve the issues surrounding RSN carriage disputes with major cable and satellite providers, but it offers a pathway for some games to reach a wider audience.
Pac-12 Expansion: A New Prospect?
The Pac-12’s future hinges on strategic conference realignment and securing a lucrative media rights deal. The CW partnership presents a viable, though unconventional, option. While not a replacement for the revenue generated by ESPN or Fox, The CW could offer:
- National Exposure: A platform to showcase Pac-12 football and basketball games to a national audience, albeit one with a different demographic than customary sports networks.
- Cost-Effective Solution: Negotiating with The CW might be less expensive than competing with established media giants.
- Flexibility: The CW’s willingness to experiment with sports programming could allow the Pac-12 to explore innovative broadcast models.
Though, the Pac-12 must carefully consider the limitations. The CW’s reach is smaller than that of ESPN or Fox, and its viewership skews younger and less focused on traditional sports. Triumphant Pac-12 media rights negotiations will require a nuanced approach.
Visibility Challenges and Potential solutions
The biggest hurdle for the Pac-12 remains college football ratings and overall sports media landscape visibility. The loss of flagship programs like USC and UCLA substantially diminished the conference’s national appeal.
Boosting Visibility:
Strategic scheduling: Prioritize nationally televised games on The CW, even if it means adjusting kickoff times.
Digital Integration: Leverage streaming platforms and social media to complement The CW broadcasts.
Targeted Marketing: Focus on promoting the Pac-12’s unique brand and competitive advantages.
Expansion Candidates: Adding schools with strong athletic programs and established fan bases (e.g.,San Diego State,Boise State,Colorado State) could enhance the conference’s overall appeal.
The Role of Streaming in the Pac-12’s Future
The rise of streaming services like Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock is reshaping the college sports broadcasting landscape. The Pac-12 should explore partnerships with these platforms to supplement its coverage on The CW. A hybrid approach – combining linear television with streaming – could maximize reach and revenue. The Pac-12’s previous attempt with its own streaming network ultimately failed, but lessons learned from that experience can inform future strategies.
Case Study: The ACC and ESPN+
The Atlantic Coast Conference’s (ACC) partnership with ESPN+ provides a relevant case study. While ESPN+ doesn’t generate the same revenue as traditional television deals, it provides a platform for broadcasting a significant number of ACC sporting events, increasing the conference’s overall visibility and providing valuable exposure for its athletes. The Pac-12 could adopt a similar model, utilizing The CW for marquee games and ESPN+ (or another streaming service) for supplementary coverage.
Impact on Pac-12 Football and Basketball
The CW deal’s success will largely be resolute by its ability to attract viewers to **Pac
