By: Jim Williams
Senior Columnist for Capital Sports Network
This Saturday, No. 5 Miami hosts No. 18 South Florida in a high-stakes college football showdown airing on The CW Network—an emerging sports broadcasting powerhouse backed by Nexstar Media Group, challenging ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC for primetime dominance.
National Reach: CW Is Already on the Map
Despite its reputation as a youth-focused entertainment network, The CW reaches over 98% of U.S. TV households, thanks to Nexstar’s ownership of 200+ stations in 116 markets, including powerhouse affiliates like:
- WPIX – New York City
- KTLA – Los Angeles
- KRON – San Francisco
- WPHL – Philadelphia
- WTTA – Tampa/St. Petersburg
These stations aren’t just local—they’re legacy brands with decades of viewer loyalty and deep sports roots. Nexstar’s strategy is to leverage this infrastructure to deliver live sports programming with national consistency and local relevance.
“We can light up geographic areas with sports content that matters to local fans, while delivering national reach for advertisers,” said Nexstar Chief Revenue Officer Michael Strober.
Sports Programming: From Zero to 500+ Hours
Before Nexstar acquired The CW in 2022, the network had zero hours of sports programming. By 2025, it will air over 500 hours annually, including:
- ACC and PAC 12 Football and Basketball
- LIV Golf
- WWE NXT Wrestling
- NASCAR Xfinity Series
This expansion has already brought 25+ new advertisers to the CW and positioned it as a legitimate sports destination.
Nexstar’s Financial Firepower
Nexstar isn’t just the largest local broadcaster in America—it’s also one of the most financially aggressive. With billions in annual revenue and a history of strategic acquisitions (including Tribune Media and Ion Media), Nexstar has the cash to spend on sports rights, production, and distribution.
Their recent partnership with ReachTV extends CW sports programming into hotels and airports nationwide, reaching 50M+ monthly viewers across 500,000 hotel rooms and 2,500+ airport screens.
Raycom Produces the games for the CW
Long before ESPN became a household name, Raycom Sports was already shaping the way fans watched college football. As the longtime production partner for ACC broadcasts, Raycom’s relationship with the Atlantic Coast Conference dates back to the early 1980s—well before the cable sports boom. Today, Raycom continues that legacy by producing ACC games for The CW Network, blending decades of broadcast expertise with Nexstar’s national reach. This partnership not only honors tradition but also signals a bold new chapter in free, over-the-air college football coverage.
PAC 12 Enterprises Handles the CW’s
When it comes to production quality, The CW Network isn’t cutting corners. PAC-12 Enterprises handles the broadcasts for CW’s college football and basketball coverage, delivering network-grade production that rivals ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. With crisp visuals, professional commentary, and seamless integration of local and national elements, these broadcasts prove that CW isn’t just airing games—it’s elevating them. For fans used to premium presentation, CW’s partnership with PAC-12 ensures they won’t miss a beat.
Why Sports Fans Should Pay Attention
- National Reach: CW’s footprint rivals ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC—without the paywall.
- Legacy Trust: Stations like KTLA, WPIX, and KRON are household names with sports credibility.
- Consistent Scheduling: Weekly blocks of ACC football and WWE NXT create reliable viewing habits.
- Growth Potential: With Nexstar’s resources, CW could bid for college conferences, Olympic qualifiers, or even NFL shoulder programming.
As Nexstar Media Group continues to reshape the sports broadcasting landscape, The CW Network is no longer just a fringe player—it’s a rising force with national reach, legacy credibility, and a rapidly expanding sports portfolio. From ACC football to WWE NXT and NASCAR, The CW is delivering free, accessible, and consistent sports programming that rivals ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. For fans seeking fresh coverage and advertisers chasing untapped audiences, The CW isn’t just worth watching—it’s worth betting on.
