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
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.
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.
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!"
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).
Outstanding news! Another problem solved by the Pac2. I like the CW production work and broadcasts. Jacked for 2024 season.
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
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?
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!!
Not to toot my own horn, but I've been saying CW was the best option on here for half a year.
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.
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!"
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