Pac-12 strengthens ties with CBS, ESPN and The CW for 2025 season

In a significant development for collegiate athletics in the United States, the Pac-12 Conference has announced a new television deal covering the 2025 football season, which will feature all home games for Oregon State and Washington State broadcast across The CW Network, CBS Sports, and ESPN. This decision comes at a crucial time as the Pac-12 is set to undergo substantial changes, including a major expansion slated for 2026. As part of the newly structured agreement, The CW is expected to air nine home games, while CBS and ESPN are each set to show two games during the season. This initiative marks a remarkable return for CBS and ESPN, who had not broadcast any Pac-12 games during the previous season due to a series of challenges facing the conference, including the loss of multiple member schools that shifted to other leagues. Underlining the significance of this deal, Teresa Gould, the Pac-12 commissioner, stated that this partnership with major broadcasters is aimed at elevating the visibility of Oregon State and Washington State in their final season in the conference before significant alterations are implemented. The Pac-12 had faced tumultuous times in recent years with the departure of prominent institutions such as USC and UCLA, leading to the current state with just two remaining teams from the original conference structure. In 2025, Oregon State's home games against California and Houston will be televised by ESPN, which aims to regain footing in the Pac-12 broadcasts after a year of absence. Meanwhile, CBS will show notable matchups like the Apple Cup between Washington State and Washington, along with the initial contest between Oregon State and Washington State in November. The CW has been highlighted for its substantial viewership numbers during previous broadcasts and is looking to build upon this success as it showcases Pac-12 games, drawing an average of 431,000 viewers for 11 games last season. The conference’s ongoing negotiations for a long-term television contract beyond 2025 indicate that it is seeking to cement its relationships with prominent media partners amidst ongoing structural changes