To Nexstar, who owns local TV stations across the country. They were willing to buy the CW for $1 or so because they have a ton of CW stations, so they might as well run the network.
It didn't work that way with the ACC contract as CW was exclusive and no one else could stream. Also as I posted already many local CW stations (specifically out on the west coast) chose not to broadcast those ACC basketball games even with national brands like Notre Dame, UNC, and Duke. I know because I couldn't watch games I wanted to.
Brian, previous years when Raycom syndicated the ACC broadcasts themselves to different markets (both cable like YES network) and broadcast, they still allowed streaming options with ACCNX. When CW signed the deal with ACC and ESPN, the games were not allowed on ANY cable or broadcast station other than CW ESPN/ACCNX streaming was not allowed per the contract. I have been watching ND bball on raycom for years and this is the first year there was no availability except local CW broadcasts which didn't show it. I am sure OSU/WSU can work out the details for accessibility in the contract but they need to be careful with CW. I'm sure you will want to see it in Phoenix.
Out of the box thinking, at least. I still think linear is on its way out, but there will be a multi-year / decade transition to streaming subscriptions so I can't blame WSU and OSU for taking the safe path since they have a small window to turn things around. I have never heard of CW Networks till now. First, I checked that Youtube TV, my streaming carrier, offers it. They do. So good for that! Then I looked up who these guys are. They are a compilation of other network assets: Nexstar Media Group (75%; largest broadcast TV station owner in the USA), Paramount Global (12.5%; remainder of Universal Paramount and ViacomCBS), Warner Bros. Discovery (12.5%; was owned by Time merger with Warner and then by AT&T). They are probably hungry for sports content and so this works out well. Between the big "cable companies" and streaming, they are on most of them. I also see they have picked up the ACC for football and basketball (what happened with ESPN?) and also are picking up the NASCAR races from Fox. So they are building their roster on a national and international basis (since they stream and offer access to programming via their own website). CW will be in a great position to consolidate the non-SEC/B1G sports programming over the next few years under its own banner. They are committed to the digital future and are really 50/50 today in terms of linear vs digital streaming. ESPN and FOX do not own their own broadcast stations while CW does. So they have a stake in making a smooth transition and also cut out the middleman in their broadcast regions
Brian the ACC content on the CW is subcontracted from ESPN/Disney and is produced by Raycom Sports, which has been producing a small number of ACC FB and BB games for years. Those games used to be syndicated largely to regional sports networks (RSNs). But with the impending demise of many RSNs, Raycom was looking for a more reliable outlet for their games and the CW was looking for more content. The CW is looking to broadcast sports content that is produced by others and not have to set up there own sports division.
Good analysis! What do you make of the deal announced in February about ESPN, FOX and WBD pooling their content resources and products for a super-streaming offering. This includes Warner-Discovery, but weirdly, not their CW partner, Paramount Global.
Nextstar is really in control of the CW now and Warner-Discovery and Paramount Global are just minority partners that sometimes produce content for the channel. At this point the WD and PG partnership in the CW is one of convenience which does not extend beyond that venture. Nextstar, which just recently took over in 2022 , is taking the CW into a different direction aiming at an older audience, hence the sports. The CW used to aim at the 18-34 demographic.
I do not make much of the ESPN, Fox, WBD venture. It just a new way to package 14 channels that are mostly focused on sports at a slightly lower price point than cable replacement streaming options like YoutubeTV, FuboTV, Hulu plus Live TV, which carry most, if not all, of the 14 channels plus other channels that carry sports.
I think this is the key and what some here are missing. People (including me) don't know CW as a household name because it is pretty new, having only formed in the last few years, as a combo of CBS and Paramount assets and Warner Brothers assets held together by Nexstar which owns a lot of CBS stations (is not really a merger of convenience; they are inextricably linked). The entire broadcast industry is in massive flux, which is why the PAC12 fell apart in the first place. CW is now owned by private investors, is not a public company, and so they will play this a lot differently than ESPN and Fox. But I like what I read. A few years ago, this CW combo could not even be done because there were long-standing FCC rules that TV stations could not be owned by the networks. They had to be licensed to carry the broadcasts (some old anti-trust idea from the 1950s). The more I read, the more I like this affiliation with the CW which seems to have settled into its future. You can't say the same for Fox and ESPN. Who knows if they will be able to bid on the SEC and B1G in the next round?
Brian the CW has existed as a TV network since 2006 when two networks that tried and failed to emulate FOX as an addition to the Big 3, UPN and the WB, merged. These two networks and their CW successor had some successful shows that were aimed at younger audiences but increasing those younger audiences abandoned linear TV. I do not know all the corporate ins and outs, mergers and such, but the CW as a network has been around for 18 years.
Yes, I saw the history of CW as a content provider and I kind of remember them as a cable option (never watched their programming). But it wasn't until the merger with majority owner Nexstar (formerly ViacomCBS) that the network took its current shape and became very viable as a sports conference partner. CW (the C is for CBS which always had a stake in this venture) was able to combine its 197 broadcast stations, 39 which are CBS, with the content providers because of a ruling from the SC in 2021 that finally over-rode the decades old anti-trust limitation for such combos that was an FCC rule. And no broadcast companies could own stations covering multiple networks (anti-trust concerns from the radio days)
I seem to recall last year that as rumors were swirling over the Pac-12 media negotiations (before the Leavers headed for the hills) that the CW came up as a potential landing spot, and all the haters from Big 12 country took to social media to laugh and mock.
Here's the catch the 'National CW" contract withthe ACC didn't force local TV CW stations to show it. The three times I wanted to watch ND (My undergrad) on CW they had some Seattle news show on instead and when I called they woudln't do anything about it. So the NW stations decided silly news that you could get anywhere was better than putting Duke, UNC, or ND basketball on TV. I hope no east coast, wouthern, or midwest local station doesn't make a similar decision about OSU and WSU football, but I am sure they'll show those games in Oregon and Washington.
LOL!! It sure looks that way. This is the deal the PAC12 Network should have done under Scott. But he thought he was Master of the Universe and knew better than everyone else. In some ways this can be viewed as even MORE exposure than offered by FOX or ESPN as CW owns its own network of local broadcast stations, the largest broadcaster in America (own 197 TV stations, which must be most of them, including all the major markets like Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York). Interestingly, Warner-Discovery is a part owner of CW with Paramount and Nexstar, yet WBD went and did their own deal with the sports consortium including ESPN and FOX. I wonder if this is a backdoor relationship for CW programming to end up on FOX or ESPN at times: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/media/espn-fox-warner-bros-discovery-team-up-sports-streamer/index.html
This entire thread is so far into the weeds it'll never find it's way out anyway. I'll have access to the game broadcasts and I don't care whether Royco Waystar is the real owner or how it came to be starting from the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Thank you for pointing out accurately that yet again, to my great surprise, someone is wrong on the interweb.
My only true regret is that I waded through the posts prior to yours. It is time I will never get back.
Thanks to the Leavers, the next few years big media contracts are not so important for OSU and WSU. Not sure why you think this isn't as good a network as ESPN or FOX. CW is bigger than either and also more profitable. This contract should be on par with the ACC deal with CW from last June. There will be another realignment in football the next couple years. This will cover that period of uncertainty
Canzano wrote about the CW - ACC deal back then. As he said, it gives the ACC exposure but no $$$. Which I imagine was on Scott's and Comm. K's mind when they didn't treat it seriously. The President's/Chancelors were telling the Comm they wanted money to be competitive with the other conferences.
That being said, maybe OSU/WSU don't need the money for the next couple years so the potential exposure is enough for now. Exposure was important to the "Leavers" in turning down the Apple deal because they didn't want to be out of public consciousness which would have affected the value of the next after-Apple deal.
That is what it seems. CW offers even better coverage than ESPN and FOX. But they haven't wanted to get into the bidding wars for the B1G and SEC, apparently and have laid back and picked off cheaper deals. As a businessman, I respect that. I think the other networks are overpaying in any case. That is why those sports networks are on the chopping block as perennial money losers for Disney and Fox Networks. CW is private and we know that investment bankers don't like to lose money. ESPN has been covered by Disney's profits and likewise Fox Sports by its parent's news division
Maybe it has been in the past, but Disney is trying to dump it now, likely because they have overpaid for recent sports contracts and the ESPN ratings have been falling. Here is the operative quote
“ESPN is currently operating in an environment where linear subscribers are declining (although sports viewership remains strong) at a time when sports rights (expenses) are simultaneously increasing,” the analysts wrote. ":
"Not sure why you think this isn't as good a network as ESPN or FOX. CW is bigger than either and also more profitable."
CW is not bigger or more profitable than ESPN or FOX, they are a relatively small operation. but they are OTA (over-the-air), they're on every cable system etc.
They used to run a lot of shows like Seventh Heaven, Supernatural, The Flash, Crazy Ex Girlfriend.
It never made any money for CBS and Warner, but it didn't need to, it got TV Shows on the air for a couple of seasons so that they could re-package them for Netflix or syndication or cable TV.
The CW's production quality is trash, but if they're relying on Pac-12 production (which is heads and shoulders better than ESPN or FS1), then this would actually work out really well given how wide their distribution is.
The Pac-12 Network has some great cameras and production equipment... and I would rest assured that they will be putting the tippy top of everything they have in both of those two stadiums and making sure the broadcasts piping out to CW are high quality.
On January 5th, 2024 the first layoffs happened for the Pac-12 and more specifically focused on the Pac-12 Network. The layoff will be in waves, the next one will be 46 employees on March 15, 2024 (California WARN notice) and continuing until June 28, 2024 (MSN report)
That was before this CW deal was done. Let's see how this all falls out. CW will need production for the Pac2 games and its probably not going to be east coast Raycom
Isn't it amazing how it's working out for the Beavs & Cougs? $65 million from the Traitorous Ten; $20 million in March Madness Money; a potential TV deal with a MUCH wider audience AND that will employ the Pac12 Network to produce content (ka-ching). All this on top of the $200 million+ pot of money the Skedaddling Schools left behind!
IMO we'll look back in two years and be delighted with how the New & Improved Pac 12 will be thriving. What say you, John?
To paraphrase Mark Twain: "The reports of the Pac12's demise have been greatly exaggerated!"
They have to be at 8 teams after two years to maintain NCAA conference status, so yes the Oac 12 WILL be back in two years. Whether it's the final iteration remains to be seen.
Biggest problem with CW sports broadcasts is each local broadcaster has their own choice to show. They alsodon't seem to stream the contracted sports broadcasts. Specifically as a Notre Dame fan, both the men and women were on CW exclusive a few times this year as part of the ACC contract. Still the local Oregon CW station ran some other stupid stuff instead. I called and they didn't seem to care. Prior to that the Raycom syndicated broadcasts would still allow ACCNX subscribers to stream, but the CW wouldn't allow that so you were SOL if your local folks don't think anybody wants to watch ACC bball.
I would worry that the east coast folks may feel the same about OSU/WSU football. I suggest if they want a national fanbase they should require either CW streams the games (like they do LIV golf) or require the local stations to all broadcast it. If not lots of OSU & WSU alumni and fans not living in Oregon and Washington might be disappointed like I was this past year.
This is huge. CBS is on every TV, even can be accessed free via antenna. All the naysayers said we would disappear into oblivion, and instead we will have the easiest games to access out of all the conferences
That’s a pretty innovative approach
Makes good sense. Getting exposure is very important for OSU and WSU at this point, and CW does that.
Good for them. I'll have to find CW to watch the old CW (Civil War).
CW is CBS and Warner Brothers combined... It is one of the local TV channels everywhere in the US
CW was sold last year.
To Nexstar, who owns local TV stations across the country. They were willing to buy the CW for $1 or so because they have a ton of CW stations, so they might as well run the network.
Thanks.
I wonder if OSU retained flexibility to sell that game separately, or it is part of the CW deal?
Why would anyone national want this package, if it didn't include the biggest game?
It didn't work that way with the ACC contract as CW was exclusive and no one else could stream. Also as I posted already many local CW stations (specifically out on the west coast) chose not to broadcast those ACC basketball games even with national brands like Notre Dame, UNC, and Duke. I know because I couldn't watch games I wanted to.
You are talking over the air broadcast. There won't be any decision-making on cable / internet broadcast where there are multiple channels per network
Brian, previous years when Raycom syndicated the ACC broadcasts themselves to different markets (both cable like YES network) and broadcast, they still allowed streaming options with ACCNX. When CW signed the deal with ACC and ESPN, the games were not allowed on ANY cable or broadcast station other than CW ESPN/ACCNX streaming was not allowed per the contract. I have been watching ND bball on raycom for years and this is the first year there was no availability except local CW broadcasts which didn't show it. I am sure OSU/WSU can work out the details for accessibility in the contract but they need to be careful with CW. I'm sure you will want to see it in Phoenix.
I had the same thought.
Outstanding news! Another problem solved by the Pac2. I like the CW production work and broadcasts. Jacked for 2024 season.
Apparently the AD at WSU was less enthusiastic - he's headed to Seattle. And, the basketball coach is headed to Stanford.
Out of the box thinking, at least. I still think linear is on its way out, but there will be a multi-year / decade transition to streaming subscriptions so I can't blame WSU and OSU for taking the safe path since they have a small window to turn things around. I have never heard of CW Networks till now. First, I checked that Youtube TV, my streaming carrier, offers it. They do. So good for that! Then I looked up who these guys are. They are a compilation of other network assets: Nexstar Media Group (75%; largest broadcast TV station owner in the USA), Paramount Global (12.5%; remainder of Universal Paramount and ViacomCBS), Warner Bros. Discovery (12.5%; was owned by Time merger with Warner and then by AT&T). They are probably hungry for sports content and so this works out well. Between the big "cable companies" and streaming, they are on most of them. I also see they have picked up the ACC for football and basketball (what happened with ESPN?) and also are picking up the NASCAR races from Fox. So they are building their roster on a national and international basis (since they stream and offer access to programming via their own website). CW will be in a great position to consolidate the non-SEC/B1G sports programming over the next few years under its own banner. They are committed to the digital future and are really 50/50 today in terms of linear vs digital streaming. ESPN and FOX do not own their own broadcast stations while CW does. So they have a stake in making a smooth transition and also cut out the middleman in their broadcast regions
Brian the ACC content on the CW is subcontracted from ESPN/Disney and is produced by Raycom Sports, which has been producing a small number of ACC FB and BB games for years. Those games used to be syndicated largely to regional sports networks (RSNs). But with the impending demise of many RSNs, Raycom was looking for a more reliable outlet for their games and the CW was looking for more content. The CW is looking to broadcast sports content that is produced by others and not have to set up there own sports division.
Good analysis! What do you make of the deal announced in February about ESPN, FOX and WBD pooling their content resources and products for a super-streaming offering. This includes Warner-Discovery, but weirdly, not their CW partner, Paramount Global.
Nextstar is really in control of the CW now and Warner-Discovery and Paramount Global are just minority partners that sometimes produce content for the channel. At this point the WD and PG partnership in the CW is one of convenience which does not extend beyond that venture. Nextstar, which just recently took over in 2022 , is taking the CW into a different direction aiming at an older audience, hence the sports. The CW used to aim at the 18-34 demographic.
I do not make much of the ESPN, Fox, WBD venture. It just a new way to package 14 channels that are mostly focused on sports at a slightly lower price point than cable replacement streaming options like YoutubeTV, FuboTV, Hulu plus Live TV, which carry most, if not all, of the 14 channels plus other channels that carry sports.
If you are as wonky as me, here is the SC case in 2021 which changed the ownership rules which allowed the CW to come into existence: https://www.scotusblog.com/2021/04/court-upholds-fccs-changes-to-media-ownership-rules/
I think this is the key and what some here are missing. People (including me) don't know CW as a household name because it is pretty new, having only formed in the last few years, as a combo of CBS and Paramount assets and Warner Brothers assets held together by Nexstar which owns a lot of CBS stations (is not really a merger of convenience; they are inextricably linked). The entire broadcast industry is in massive flux, which is why the PAC12 fell apart in the first place. CW is now owned by private investors, is not a public company, and so they will play this a lot differently than ESPN and Fox. But I like what I read. A few years ago, this CW combo could not even be done because there were long-standing FCC rules that TV stations could not be owned by the networks. They had to be licensed to carry the broadcasts (some old anti-trust idea from the 1950s). The more I read, the more I like this affiliation with the CW which seems to have settled into its future. You can't say the same for Fox and ESPN. Who knows if they will be able to bid on the SEC and B1G in the next round?
Brian the CW has existed as a TV network since 2006 when two networks that tried and failed to emulate FOX as an addition to the Big 3, UPN and the WB, merged. These two networks and their CW successor had some successful shows that were aimed at younger audiences but increasing those younger audiences abandoned linear TV. I do not know all the corporate ins and outs, mergers and such, but the CW as a network has been around for 18 years.
Yes, I saw the history of CW as a content provider and I kind of remember them as a cable option (never watched their programming). But it wasn't until the merger with majority owner Nexstar (formerly ViacomCBS) that the network took its current shape and became very viable as a sports conference partner. CW (the C is for CBS which always had a stake in this venture) was able to combine its 197 broadcast stations, 39 which are CBS, with the content providers because of a ruling from the SC in 2021 that finally over-rode the decades old anti-trust limitation for such combos that was an FCC rule. And no broadcast companies could own stations covering multiple networks (anti-trust concerns from the radio days)
CW is CBS and Warner Brothers combined. It is a local channel (usually called CBS) everywhere in the US
CW in the Portland Vancouver metro area on comcast/Xfinity is station 703. It's it's own station...CBS is 706. Paramount is 757
CW owns KOIN Channel 6 over the air
Nexstar owns both the CW, KOIN channel 6 in Portland, and the CW affiliate in Portland which is channel 32
Thank you. That is accurate.
So we're acknowledging that KOIN is not a CW station?
No it is not. CBS is not the CW, KOIN is not a CW channel.
The Portland CW channel is channel 32. (Also owned by Nexstar).
LIV golf is shown on CW, FWIW.
CW showing LIV is not in HD I hope football is In HD
I seem to recall last year that as rumors were swirling over the Pac-12 media negotiations (before the Leavers headed for the hills) that the CW came up as a potential landing spot, and all the haters from Big 12 country took to social media to laugh and mock.
Every game on free-to-air broadcast TV across the country? With Pac-12 Network production quality?
Where's the catch? Nothing good every happens to OSU/WSU without a catch?
Here's the catch the 'National CW" contract withthe ACC didn't force local TV CW stations to show it. The three times I wanted to watch ND (My undergrad) on CW they had some Seattle news show on instead and when I called they woudln't do anything about it. So the NW stations decided silly news that you could get anywhere was better than putting Duke, UNC, or ND basketball on TV. I hope no east coast, wouthern, or midwest local station doesn't make a similar decision about OSU and WSU football, but I am sure they'll show those games in Oregon and Washington.
LOL!! It sure looks that way. This is the deal the PAC12 Network should have done under Scott. But he thought he was Master of the Universe and knew better than everyone else. In some ways this can be viewed as even MORE exposure than offered by FOX or ESPN as CW owns its own network of local broadcast stations, the largest broadcaster in America (own 197 TV stations, which must be most of them, including all the major markets like Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York). Interestingly, Warner-Discovery is a part owner of CW with Paramount and Nexstar, yet WBD went and did their own deal with the sports consortium including ESPN and FOX. I wonder if this is a backdoor relationship for CW programming to end up on FOX or ESPN at times: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/media/espn-fox-warner-bros-discovery-team-up-sports-streamer/index.html
"This is the deal the PAC12 Network should have done under Scott."
CW wasn't in the sports business when Larry Scott was around, and doesn't have the budget for major college sports.
You know that CW is not CBS, right?
This entire thread is so far into the weeds it'll never find it's way out anyway. I'll have access to the game broadcasts and I don't care whether Royco Waystar is the real owner or how it came to be starting from the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Thank you for pointing out accurately that yet again, to my great surprise, someone is wrong on the interweb.
My only true regret is that I waded through the posts prior to yours. It is time I will never get back.
SAve yourself, stop now, there is a lot of it..
Just know that the games will be on free over-the-air TV, but not on CBS.
(IT's not what people don't know that gets them in trouble, it's what they think they know that isn't so.)
Isn't it amazing that there is a provider out there that does the right thing? Exposure over revenue....what a novel concept!! Thank you CW!!
Provider...exposure over revenue. Uh, yes. Which is why they won't pay much to the football programs on their network.
Thanks to the Leavers, the next few years big media contracts are not so important for OSU and WSU. Not sure why you think this isn't as good a network as ESPN or FOX. CW is bigger than either and also more profitable. This contract should be on par with the ACC deal with CW from last June. There will be another realignment in football the next couple years. This will cover that period of uncertainty
Canzano wrote about the CW - ACC deal back then. As he said, it gives the ACC exposure but no $$$. Which I imagine was on Scott's and Comm. K's mind when they didn't treat it seriously. The President's/Chancelors were telling the Comm they wanted money to be competitive with the other conferences.
That being said, maybe OSU/WSU don't need the money for the next couple years so the potential exposure is enough for now. Exposure was important to the "Leavers" in turning down the Apple deal because they didn't want to be out of public consciousness which would have affected the value of the next after-Apple deal.
Uh, yeah. the entire world was different when Scott was in charge.
That is what it seems. CW offers even better coverage than ESPN and FOX. But they haven't wanted to get into the bidding wars for the B1G and SEC, apparently and have laid back and picked off cheaper deals. As a businessman, I respect that. I think the other networks are overpaying in any case. That is why those sports networks are on the chopping block as perennial money losers for Disney and Fox Networks. CW is private and we know that investment bankers don't like to lose money. ESPN has been covered by Disney's profits and likewise Fox Sports by its parent's news division
ESPN has been the most profitable thing Disney has over the past 10-20 years what are you talking about?
Maybe it has been in the past, but Disney is trying to dump it now, likely because they have overpaid for recent sports contracts and the ESPN ratings have been falling. Here is the operative quote
“ESPN is currently operating in an environment where linear subscribers are declining (although sports viewership remains strong) at a time when sports rights (expenses) are simultaneously increasing,” the analysts wrote. ":
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/disney-s-espn-could-be-worth-up-to-24-billion-with-amazon-apple-and-the-nba-potential-buyers/ar-AA1jhyAv
"Not sure why you think this isn't as good a network as ESPN or FOX. CW is bigger than either and also more profitable."
CW is not bigger or more profitable than ESPN or FOX, they are a relatively small operation. but they are OTA (over-the-air), they're on every cable system etc.
"Not sure why you think this isn't as good a network as ESPN or FOX"
I guess because most people making comments here didn't know who the hell the CW is and had to be informed first. Those folks know who ESPN/Fox are.
CW formed in 2022. That is why it is unknown. They own KOIN TV and everyone know what that is
"CW formed in 2022" No it did not? It's been on the air since 2006.
It's UHF channel 32 in Portland, 51 in Seattle. (Not that that matters much anymore)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_CW
They used to run a lot of shows like Seventh Heaven, Supernatural, The Flash, Crazy Ex Girlfriend.
It never made any money for CBS and Warner, but it didn't need to, it got TV Shows on the air for a couple of seasons so that they could re-package them for Netflix or syndication or cable TV.
Before 2022, CW was not majority owned by Nexstar. In its current iteration, the one that mattered to make the PAC2 deal possible, it formed in 2022: https://tvline.com/news/the-cw-nexstar-acquisition-deal-network-changes-explained-1234861415/
Not to toot my own horn, but I've been saying CW was the best option on here for half a year.
TOOOOOOOOT!
That they got a deal at all is remarkable. That they got a deal on an over-the-air network is phenomenal. I get to pay $0 more to watch their games.
The CW's production quality is trash, but if they're relying on Pac-12 production (which is heads and shoulders better than ESPN or FS1), then this would actually work out really well given how wide their distribution is.
The Pac-12 Network has some great cameras and production equipment... and I would rest assured that they will be putting the tippy top of everything they have in both of those two stadiums and making sure the broadcasts piping out to CW are high quality.
On January 5th, 2024 the first layoffs happened for the Pac-12 and more specifically focused on the Pac-12 Network. The layoff will be in waves, the next one will be 46 employees on March 15, 2024 (California WARN notice) and continuing until June 28, 2024 (MSN report)
That was before this CW deal was done. Let's see how this all falls out. CW will need production for the Pac2 games and its probably not going to be east coast Raycom
Thanks John for this wonderful update! Very good news indeed!
Isn't it amazing how it's working out for the Beavs & Cougs? $65 million from the Traitorous Ten; $20 million in March Madness Money; a potential TV deal with a MUCH wider audience AND that will employ the Pac12 Network to produce content (ka-ching). All this on top of the $200 million+ pot of money the Skedaddling Schools left behind!
IMO we'll look back in two years and be delighted with how the New & Improved Pac 12 will be thriving. What say you, John?
To paraphrase Mark Twain: "The reports of the Pac12's demise have been greatly exaggerated!"
"Back in 2 years" is a pipe dream, FYI.
They have to be at 8 teams after two years to maintain NCAA conference status, so yes the Oac 12 WILL be back in two years. Whether it's the final iteration remains to be seen.
The Coug AD was just hired by Washington. I wonder who is negotiating for the Cougs? Or if this hire will affect the finalizing of a deal?
Biggest problem with CW sports broadcasts is each local broadcaster has their own choice to show. They alsodon't seem to stream the contracted sports broadcasts. Specifically as a Notre Dame fan, both the men and women were on CW exclusive a few times this year as part of the ACC contract. Still the local Oregon CW station ran some other stupid stuff instead. I called and they didn't seem to care. Prior to that the Raycom syndicated broadcasts would still allow ACCNX subscribers to stream, but the CW wouldn't allow that so you were SOL if your local folks don't think anybody wants to watch ACC bball.
I would worry that the east coast folks may feel the same about OSU/WSU football. I suggest if they want a national fanbase they should require either CW streams the games (like they do LIV golf) or require the local stations to all broadcast it. If not lots of OSU & WSU alumni and fans not living in Oregon and Washington might be disappointed like I was this past year.
This is huge. CBS is on every TV, even can be accessed free via antenna. All the naysayers said we would disappear into oblivion, and instead we will have the easiest games to access out of all the conferences
That is awesome isn’t it. I’m feeling pretty happy right now. 😎
CW is on every TV, but y'all are not going to be on CBS. CW and CBS are very different.