Beginning this summer, a new partnership between The CW and ESPN will expand how Pac-12 games can be watched, blending traditional broadcast television with one of the most powerful digital platforms in sports.
Under the agreement announced April 29, all live sports airing on The CW will be simulcast on the ESPN app for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. That includes every Pac‑12 event televised as part of The CW’s existing media rights package, giving WSU Athletics potentially broader national reach. The move is expected to greatly increase the exposure of The CW’s national linear broadcasts, which already reach approximately 115 million homes across the country.
What this means for WSU and Pac-12 fans:
- Pac-12 events that are part of The CW Media Rights package on The CW broadcast network (available in approximately 115 million homes) also can be watched with a subscription on the ESPN app, also known as ESPN Unlimited.
- The ESPN app will serve as the go-to place to catch the start of a game when the game prior is running long.
- The ESPN app will provide exposure to Pac-12 events for younger fans that watch content exclusively on digital platforms.
The CW network recently extended its partnership with the new Pac-12 Conference to include 13 regular season football games per year through the 2030–31 season, as well as adding regular season men’s and women’s basketball games including the women’s basketball tournament’s semifinal and championship games.
