This is an interesting move for CW to do for them to gain audiences to their sports broadcasts.
The CW Network has signed a content distribution deal for simulcasts of its live sports events to stream on ESPN’s app.
Under the agreement, the app will become the exclusive streaming home for CW Sports‘ live coverage of sports matches. Coverage will continue to air on CW’s linear network as well.
To access this content, a subscription to the unlimited tier of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming platform is required.
Coverage under the deal will include college football and men’s and women’s basketball from the ACC, Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, WWE NXT, PBA Bowling, PBR Bull Riding, AVP volleyball and the 2026 Arizona Bowl, according to the announcement.
CW simulcasts on the ESPN app are expected to begin in the summer of 2026.