CW (& ION) move into Live Sports Programming

[4th&long]

The CW (the successor to UPN/WB networks that merged int the 2000's) now owned by Nexstar is acquiring Sports media rights... started with LIV, then ACC via sublicense from ESPN and now its largest - exclusive rights to the NASCAR Xfinity Series starting in 2025 and running through 2031.
Nexstar will pay $115 million per year, according to the report.

Something to note is FOX and NBC have the rights through 2024... USFL therefore may have a use for both networks.

Meanwhile the other netlet -ION has WNBA rights.

These over-the-air broadcast smaller nets could be players for XFL and USFL in a crowded sports media market, especially if they are willing to pay a relatively "high" amount.

Something to watch and see if its beneficial to spring FB.

https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2023/0 ... l-nexstar/

>>Over the past year, Nexstar and Scripps have remade their long-ignored ‘netlets’ — The CW and ION, respectively — into contenders for lower and mid-tier sports rights. Scripps’ deals include a weekly night of WNBA games and on the local level, rights to the Vegas Golden Knights. <<