CW Inks Deal to Carry LIV Golf

BURBANK, Calif.—Nexstar’s CW Network has signed a multi-year television and streaming rights agreement with LIV Golf (“LIV”) to become LIV’s exclusive broadcast partner in the United States beginning the 2023 season of the LIV Golf League.

The deal gives the controversial Saudi-funded golf tour a much-needed US outlet that will give its prospects a significant boost.

As the exclusive broadcast center for LIV in the United States, The CW Network will broadcast 14 live LIV Golf League global events in 2023 and stream the events live on the CW app.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The deal is part of Nexstar’s ongoing efforts to revamp The CW’s programming since acquiring 75% of The CW.

“Our new partnership between The CW and LIV Golf will deliver a whole new audience and add to the growing global excitement for the league. With CW broadcasts and streams, more fans across the country and around the world can participate in the energy of LIV Golf and seeing its innovative competition that has reinvented the sport for players, fans and the game of golf,” said Dennis Miller, President, The CW Network. “For The CW, our partnership with LIV Golf marks an important milestone in our goal to revamp the network with diverse, quality programming for our CW viewers, advertisers and affiliates. It’s also the first time in The CW’s 17-year history that the network is the center exclusive broadcast for live mainstream sports.

“This is a momentous day for LIV Golf as this partnership is about more than just media rights. The CW’s national reach as the fifth-largest US broadcast network will provide accessibility for our fans and maximum exposure for our athletes and partners. “said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf. “The CW recognizes the enormous interest and potential of our league and with their support, more fans will discover the energy and innovative competition that LIV Golf uses to invigorate The CW is a world-class media partner, and we are honored to join forces to bring LIV Golf to life as they claim their position in professional sports.

LIV’s launch was marked by a legal battle between him and the PGA Tour, which suspended golfers who joined LIV, and criticism of LIV given the Saudi government’s human rights abuses. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund has committed around $2 billion to launch the tour.

The 2023 LIV Golf League is scheduled to kick off February 24-26 at the El Camaleón course at the Mayakoba Resort in Mexico. Locations announced to date also include The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona, The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia, Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Real Club Valderrama in Spain and The Old White Race. at the Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia. The 2023 LIV Golf League will showcase its innovative new golf format with simultaneous team and individual play, with 12 teams competing in a 14-event global schedule for an unprecedented $405 million in prize money.

“Our new multi-year partnership with The CW will unlock our ability to serve both grassroots golf fans and reach casual sports and entertainment viewers as part of our mission to grow the sport,” said Will Staeger, media director of LIV Golf. . “Our innovative product appeals to a younger audience than the traditional golf fan, and we’re thrilled to be part of The CW’s growth into its new era of sports programming featuring golf’s biggest stars and our storytelling and industry-leading storytelling format.”

LIV said it will continue to run the events in-house and maintain its format and style starting with the 2022 Invitational season. LIV’s coverage features a shotgun start, distinctive live leaderboard, enhanced drone coverage, stat-driven graphics, and fast-paced coverage with nearly twice as many golf shots per hour as LIV’s coverage. traditional golf, said LIV.

The weekend tournaments will air live Saturdays and Sundays on The CW and The CW App and Fridays on The CW App. With nearly 90 million downloads to date, The CW App, available free to consumers on all major platforms, is the exclusive, fully ad-supported home of the latest episodes and seasons of The CW’s primetime programming. CW, live streaming of its sports content, and a library of entertaining film and TV content for free on-demand viewing.