• by Wayne Friedman , 9 hours ago

The CW Network -- the Nexstar Media Group’s majority-owned broadcast network -- is getting more brand extension for its programming content in two different deals -- one with Roku Channel and another with ESPN.

In a deal with streaming distribution platform Roku, CW entertainment programming will be available for next-day streaming on The Roku Channel -- the FAST (free ad-supported/streaming television channel) owned by Roku, with over 800 hours of CW library content.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

This includes new scripted series "Private Eyes West Coast," unscripted “Police 24/7” and two new original game shows, "Scrabble" and “Trivial Pursuit.”

In addition, with its growing emphasis on sports programming -- some 800 hours of live content per year-- the CW has struck an exclusive deal with the ESPN app for all its CW Sports live sports events.

This includes the college basketball/football action on the ACC, Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences, as well as NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, WWE NXT, PBA Bowling, PBR Bull Riding, AVP volleyball and the 2026 Arizona Bowl.

For several years now -- since Nexstar became the majority owner of the CW -- the network has made a major shift by adding significant live sports content to its prime-time schedule. For many networks live sports lets them charge premium advertising pricing versus much non-live scripted/unscripted programming.