The CW Forms Partnership With Range Sports

The CW and Range Sports have formed a partnership for strategy, sales and programming services for the network’s original sports programming lineup.

The teaming will see Range Sports develop and build new content and event franchises. It will encompass programs, branded content, property sales, media rights advisory, and IP rights for brands for both national and local market activations. Range Sports will also tap into parent Range Media Partners’ talent representation, brand consulting, data and analytics, and premium scripted and nonscripted production capabilities through Range Studios.

Nexstar Media Group acquired a 75% stake in The CW in 2022, with Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global remaining minority partners. Under Nexstar, The CW has increasingly prioritized sports, acquiring rights to ACC college football and basketball, LIV Golf, and soon WWE NXT. The network is aiming to soon offer 500 hours of sports programming a year.

When The CW landed rights to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series last year, network president Dennis Miller called the 6-year agreement at a reported $115 million “a game-changer” for the network.

“With broadcast distribution available in all households across the country, Nexstar and The CW are building the foundation for the next great sports programming engine and we are excited about the opportunity to be a part of their outstanding team,” Range Sports Co-Presidents Will Funk and Greg Luckman said in a press release.

Michael Strober, Nexstar’s Chief Revenue Officer, saluted Range Sports’ “deep bench of brand marketers and creative firepower will accelerate our efforts to bring immersive and captivating sponsorship programs to our local and national advertisers.”