CW Football Saturday

Last updated
CW Football Saturday
Saturday-football-cw.png
Also known asCW Football Saturday, ACC on The CW
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time210 minutes or until game ends (inc. adverts)
Production companies CW Sports
Raycom Sports (ACC)
Pac-12 Enterprises (Pac-12)
Original release
Network The CW
ReleaseSeptember 9, 2023 (2023-09-09) –
present
Related
ACC on Regional Sports Networks

CW Football Saturday is a presentation of college football on The CW presented by CW Sports.

Contents

The CW began carrying college football broadcasts on September 9, 2023, with a package of Atlantic Coast Conference games sub-licensed from and produced by Raycom Sports (billed as the ACC on The CW), as well as coverage of the Arizona Bowl sub-licensed from Barstool Sports.

In 2024, CW Sports reached an agreement with the Pac-12—which, due to realignment, had been reduced to two teams—to broadcast most Oregon State University and Washington State University home games during the 2024 season. The games are produced by the Pac-12's media department, which CW Sports also subcontracted to produce studio programming for its college football coverage.

History

ACC on The CW logo used during the 2023-24 season. ACC CW 2023.jpg
ACC on The CW logo used during the 2023–24 season.

After Nexstar Media Group acquired a majority stake in The CW, the company began efforts to broaden the network's demographic reach to encompass older viewers within the key demographic and linear television viewership, citing preferences towards streaming platforms by younger viewers. This would include an increased focus on imported programs from other countries, and sports programming. The network began to establish a sports division in 2023, initially with the acquisition of U.S. rights to the LIV Golf League. [1]

Raycom Sports has had a long-standing relationship with the Atlantic Coast Conference, having syndicated ACC basketball games, and later football, since 1982. Raycom maintained the rights to this package after ESPN acquired the conference's media rights in 2010. The broadcast television package ended after the 2018–19 season, when ESPN acquired its inventory for its new ACC Network cable channel. [2] [3] [4]

As an aspect of this agreement, Raycom also held rights to syndicate a separate package of ACC telecasts to regional sports networks. In June 2023, Bally Sports—the package's primary rightsholder—announced that it would drop the ACC RSN package, amid the bankruptcy of parent company Diamond Sports Group. [5] The following month, Raycom announced that it had sold the package to The CW, consisting of 13 football games, 28 men's basketball games, and 9 women's basketball games per-season. [6] [7] The CW aired its first ACC football broadcast on September 9, 2023, featuring Cincinnati at Pittsburgh. [8]

On November 30, 2023, The CW reached an agreement with Barstool Sports to simulcast its coverage of the Arizona Bowl, which was previously exclusive to Barstool’s social media platforms since 2021. [9]

On March 26, 2024, it was reported by sports columnist John Canzano that CW Sports was nearing an agreement with the Pac-12 Conference—whose membership had been reduced to Oregon State and Washington State as a result of realignment—to televise the two teams' home games during the 2024 season. [10] The deal was officially announced on May 14, under which The CW will air 11 broadcasts between the two teams (the remaining two will be aired by Fox College Football ). [11] [12]

As part of the expansion, The CW also rebranded its coverage as CW Football Saturday, adding a new pre-game show hosted by Mike Yam, and former Fox Sports personality Thom Brennaman as lead commentator for ACC games and selected Pac-12 games. The Pac-12 games, as well as the new studio show, are being produced by the Pac-12's in-house media department Pac-12 Enterprises (which consists of the remainder of Pac-12 Network's staff). [11] [12] On May 29, 2024, with Barstool ending its title sponsorship and broadcast rights to the bowl after 2023, CW Sports acquired rights to the 2024 Arizona Bowl. [13]

Production

With the limited turnaround time between the announcement and the start of the 2023 ACC football season, Raycom and The CW subcontracted resources from other broadcasters for its initial season of college football broadcasts, including ESPN (the conference's main rightsholder) temporarily allowing use of the ESPN College Football on-air graphics (pending the development of a dedicated CW Sports graphics package in time for basketball season), and its first game at Pitt sharing resources with Fox Sports (which was already at Acrisure Stadium for an NFL broadcast the following afternoon). [14] Notably, the games are not available on streaming-specific services like The CW app but are available through streaming TV providers. [15]

For the 2024 season, the production was rebranded as CW Football Saturday with a dedicated on-air presentation; Raycom continues to produce the ACC games under the new banner, while the Pac-12 portion of the package, as well as studio coverage, is produced from the new Pac-12 Studios in San Ramon, California (which had opened as a new facility for Pac-12 Network the previous season). [16] [17] Sister cable network NewsNation began to also be used as an overflow during doubleheaders. [18]

The TCU Horned Frogs' Iron Skillet rivalry game against the SMU Mustangs was televised as part of the CW's ACC package in 2024; the team promoted the game via a video satirizing ESPN's "This is SportsCenter" commercials entitled "one treefroghill" (referencing former CW series One Tree Hill ), seemingly dissing the network by saying that the game was "unfortunately" on The CW. When SMU beat TCU in the game (its first victory in the rivalry since 2021), the ACC's X account quipped "'Thank goodness it was only on The CW' – TCU fans, probably." [19] [20] [21]

On-air talent

Football

Related Research Articles

<i>NFL on Fox</i> Television series

The NFL on Fox is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games produced by Fox Sports and televised on the Fox broadcast network. Game coverage is usually preceded by Fox NFL Kickoff and Fox NFL Sunday and is followed on weeks when the network airs a Doubleheader by The OT. The latter two shows feature the same studio hosts and analysts for both programs, who also contribute to the former. In weeks when Fox airs a doubleheader, the late broadcast airs under the brand America's Game of the Week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thom Brennaman</span> American sportscaster (born 1963)

Thomas Wade Brennaman is an American television sportscaster, currently the lead announcer for CW Sports college football games. He is the son of former Cincinnati Reds radio sportscaster Marty Brennaman. He served as a play-by-play commentator for Fox Sports since its inception in 1994 through 2020, the television voice of the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1998 to 2006, and as the voice of the Cincinnati Reds from 2007 through 2020. His career with the Reds and Fox Sports ended abruptly when he was caught on a hot mic making a homophobic statement during a game broadcast. His on-air apology, in which he interrupted himself to call "a drive into deep left field by Castellanos", became an internet meme. Since leaving the Reds, he has served as a commentator for the Roberto Clemente League and for Chatterbox Sports.

College football on television includes the broad- and cablecasting of college football games, as well as pre- and post-game reports, analysis, and human-interest stories. Within the United States, the college version of American football annually garners high television ratings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raycom Sports</span> College sports television syndicator

Raycom Sports is a Charlotte, North Carolina–based producer of sports television programs owned by Gray Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wes Durham</span> American sportscaster (born 1966)

Dallas Wesley "Wes" Durham is an American sportscaster. He is a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and ACC Network coverage of college football and basketball.

College Football on NBC Sports is the de facto title used for broadcasts of NCAA college football games produced by NBC Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich Waltz</span> American sportscaster (born 1962)

Rich Waltz is an American television play-by-play commentator currently calling college football, basketball for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network. Waltz also calls MLB for MLB Network's Showcase telecasts and Apple TV's Friday Night Baseball. The past two seasons he has filled in on TV for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Angels on Bally Sports. Waltz also called the Phoenix Regional of the World Baseball Classic for MLB Network and MLB International. A three-time Emmy winner, Waltz is formerly known for calling television broadcasts for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball from 2005 to 2017. Waltz's dismissal by Fox Sports Florida and the Marlins was criticized by fans and media. Over the past few years, Waltz has called MLB for MLB Network and Turner Sports, including the Cubs' Alec Mills no-hitter, the sixth MLB no-hitter he has announced. Waltz also called the 2020 AL Wild Card Series for TBS alongside Jimmy Rollins.

Men's college basketball on television includes the broadcasting of college basketball games, as well as pre- and post-game reports, analysis, and human-interest stories. Within the United States, the college version of basketball annually garners high television ratings.

ESPN College Basketball is a blanket title used for presentations of college basketball on ESPN and its family of networks. Its coverage focuses primarily on competition in NCAA Division I, holding broadcast rights to games from each major conference, and a number of mid-major conferences.

TNT Sports has occasionally televised college football games on its networks since 1982; that year, under an agreement with the NCAA, TBS became the first broadcaster to nationally televise college football on cable. After the NCAA broadcasting package was dismantled in 1984 following a Supreme Court ruling, TBS would broadcast SEC football from 1984 to 1992, along with selected bowl games through 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ACC Network (syndication package)</span> Syndicated package of college sports telecasts

ACC Network was a syndicated package of college sports telecasts featuring football and basketball events from the Atlantic Coast Conference, produced by Raycom Sports, the sports syndication unit of Montgomery, Alabama-based Raycom Media.

<i>Fox College Football</i> Television series

Fox College Football is the branding used for broadcasts of NCAA Division I FBS college football games produced by Fox Sports, and broadcast primarily by Fox, FS1, and FS2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pac-12 Network</span> College sports television network

The Pac-12 Network (P12N), sometimes referred to as Pac-12 Networks, was an American sports-oriented digital cable and satellite television network owned by the Pac-12 Conference. The network's studio and production facilities were headquartered in San Ramon, California.

ABC first broadcast selected college basketball games of the now-NCAA Division I during the 1960s and 1970s, before it began televising them on a regular basis on January 18, 1987, with a game between the LSU Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats). As CBS and NBC were also broadcasting college games at the time, this put the sport on all three major broadcast television networks.

<i>Fox College Hoops</i> 1995 American TV series or program

Fox College Hoops is the branding used for Fox Sports broadcasts of college basketball for Fox, FS1 and FS2. Formally college basketball telecasts have also been carried by the Fox Sports Networks (FSN) and FX in the past, the Fox College Hoops branding was introduced in 1994.

ACC Network (ACCN) is an American multinational subscription-television channel owned and operated by ESPN Inc. Dedicated to coverage of the Atlantic Coast Conference, it was announced in July 2016 and launched on August 22, 2019. The channel operates from ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, though some programming and staff is in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The ACC on Regional Sports Networks was a package of telecasts produced by Raycom Sports, in cooperation with Bally Sports, previously the Fox Sports Networks, featuring Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) college sports. The package was syndicated primarily to regional sports networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season</span> American college football season

The 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the 154th season of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at its highest level of competition, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The regular season began on August 26 and ended on December 9. The postseason began on December 15, and, aside from any all-star games that are scheduled, ended on January 8, 2024, with the College Football Playoff National Championship at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CW Sports</span> Sports division of American broadcast network The CW

CW Sports is the sports programming division of The CW that is responsible for sports broadcasts carried on the network.

References

  1. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (2023-05-18). "Superhero Shows "Had Their Time" as New CW Leaders Outline Plans to Make Network "Bigger and Profitable"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  2. ↑ Smith, Michael; Ourand, John (October 5, 2010). "History with ACC secures future for Raycom". Washington Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  3. ↑ Luke DeCock (March 11, 2019). "The pilot sails no more: After four decades, ACC's longtime TV partner signs off". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  4. ↑ Smith, Michael (October 4, 2010). "History with ACC secures Future for Raycom" (PDF). Sports and Business Journal. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  5. ↑ Frankel, Daniel (2023-06-15). "Bally Sports Kicks Another Asset to the Curb: ACC Football and Basketball Games". NextTV. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  6. ↑ Lucia, Joe (2023-07-15). "The CW has added the 50 Raycom-produced ACC basketball and football games". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  7. ↑ Petski, Denise (July 13, 2023). "The CW Lands Rights To Atlantic Coast Conference College Football & Basketball Games Through 2026-27". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "WPNT-TV to officially become Pittsburgh's new CW affiliate, carry ACC football". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  9. ↑ "The CW's Coverage Of College Football's Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl To Feature Dave Portnoy And Other Personalities Calling The Game - Deadline". 30 November 2023.
  10. ↑ Staff, CougCenter (2024-03-26). "Report: WSU, OSU ink deal to broadcast home football games on The CW". CougCenter. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  11. 1 2 "Pac-12 Football to be Featured Nationally Across The CW Network & FOX Sports in 2024". Sports Video Group. 2024-05-14. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  12. 1 2 Lucia, Joe (2024-07-22). "The CW's college football talent lineup consists of many Pac-12 Network alumni". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  13. ↑ Neumann, Sam (2024-05-29). "2024 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl will air on The CW". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  14. ↑ Hernández, Kristian (2023-10-03). "College Football on The CW: Raycom Sports Extends Legacy With New ACC Broadcast Package". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  15. ↑ "How will college football broadcasts on the CW work? Q&A with network president Dennis Miller".
  16. ↑ Costa, Brandon (2024-09-20). "The Underdogs: The CW Is Emerging as a Sports Destination With College Football". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  17. ↑ Dachman, Jason (2024-09-19). "SVG Sit-Down: Pac-12 Enterprises' Michael Molinari Says State-of-the-Art Production Facility Is 'Open for Business'". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  18. ↑ Yoder, Matt (September 22, 2024). "Purdue-Oregon State game forced to start on… NewsNation?". Awful Announcing. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  19. ↑ Kassim, Ehsan. "TCU football social media takes shot at ACC, The CW, says 'frogs on the cw, unfortunately'". USA Today. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  20. ↑ Neumann, Sam (2024-09-20). "TCU brutally roasts ACC, The CW with 'This is SportsCenter' spoof". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  21. ↑ Dixon, Michael (2024-09-22). "ACC trolls TCU, The CW on X after SMU blowout". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  22. ↑ Marchand, Andrew. "Thom Brennaman returning to broadcasting with The CW". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  23. 1 2 3 "CW Press | THE CW NETWORK SETS BROADCAST CREWS AND ADDS LIVE STUDIO SHOW FOR 2024 ACC AND PAC-12 COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES". www.cwtvpr.com. 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  24. 1 2 Baxley, Rodd (2023-10-03). "What channel is NC State football vs Marshall? Time, TV schedule for Wolfpack". The Fayetteville Observer . Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  25. ↑ Lucia, Joe (November 15, 2023). "Your 2023 college football Week 12 announcing schedule". Awful Announcing. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  26. ↑ Ludwig, Karl (2023-09-04). "Broadcast Crew Announced for the Pitt CW Network Debut". Pittsburgh Sports Now. Retrieved 2023-10-15.