Key Takeaways:
The CW Network and ESPN are joining forces in a new partnership that makes the ESPN App the exclusive streaming home for more than 800 hours of live CW Sports events. The deal significantly expands the digital reach of The CW's growing sports portfolio while bolstering the content available to ESPN's streaming subscribers.
"Joining forces with ESPN is a monumental next step in the evolution of CW Sports," said Brad Schwartz, President of The CW Network. "This new partnership will allow us to connect seamlessly with our audiences everywhere—from football and basketball to motorsports, professional wrestling, bowling, bull riding, and much more to come."
The agreement brings a wide array of sports programming to the ESPN App, including live coverage of WWE NXT, which recently expanded its partnership with The CW. The network will air 20 NXT Premium Live Events (PLEs) over the next several years, starting with "The Great American Bash" this summer. This marks the first time NXT's PLEs will be available on broadcast television.
For The CW, a subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, the deal provides a massive digital platform to complement its free over-the-air broadcast model, extending its reach to new audiences. For ESPN, a division of The Walt Disney Company, it adds a substantial volume of live sports to its ESPN Unlimited plan, aiming to increase subscriber value and choice in a competitive streaming market.
The partnership solidifies The CW's position as a growing player in live sports broadcasting. Since airing LIV Golf in 2023, the network has aggressively added rights for ACC and Pac-12 college football and basketball, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and now a comprehensive deal with WWE's developmental brand, NXT.
"The CW has played an integral role in raising the profile of our up-and-coming Superstars, and we are excited to bring NXT’s Premium Live Events to broadcast television for the first time ever,” said Shawn Michaels, WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative.
The agreement also provides a new, stable home for NXT's PLEs, which had previously been on Peacock and more recently streamed on YouTube after the expiration of a deal in March. Now, all NXT programming, including the weekly show on Tuesday nights and the 20 PLEs, will be available on The CW and the ESPN App.
This collaboration reflects a broader trend of media companies bundling and partnering to strengthen their offerings in the crowded streaming landscape. By making CW Sports available within the ESPN app, both companies can leverage each other's audiences.
"Bringing CW Sports to the ESPN App is another step in delivering more value, choice and flexibility for fans, expanding the range of live sports available within our streaming ecosystem,” said Rosalyn Durant, Executive Vice President, ESPN Programming & Acquisitions.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The integration of CW Sports into the ESPN App is expected to launch in the summer of 2026.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
