The broadcast network seeking a Detroit home, majority-owned by Nexstar Media Group, will become the broadcast home for 11 football games from a greatly evolved collegiate football conference. Games begin August 31, with a Washington State game followed by an Oregon State matchup.
Pac-12 officials inked a distribution deal with The CW Network, and it gives full national over-the-air coverage to the conference (pending the Detroit DMA, where The CW could go dark without a LMA deal with Adell Broadcasting’s WADL-38 between Nexstar and the station owner).
While the Pac-12 has lost key schools to the ACC, which The CW already has a broadcast agreement with, the arrangement with The CW is designed to give a fresh spotlight on the league, with Oregon State University and Washington State University football programs and student-athletes getting a new platform to show their respective might.
For The CW, it’s a big win, as both OSU and “WAZZU” enjoy high ratings versus many Division I NCAA schools. “It’s a fantastic deal,” said one sports media analysts who spoke with RBR+TVBR who requested anonymity.
Broadcasts will be produced by Pac-12’s production facility, Pac-12 Enterprises.
