Historic Record! CBS to Broadcast 20 WNBA Games on Broadcast TV in 2026

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has secured a new long-term media rights agreement with CBS Sports, marking a significant milestone in its media expansion. This deal, announced on Wednesday, includes the broadcast of up to 20 regular-season games across CBS and Paramount+. While the financial terms were not immediately disclosed, the agreement underscores the growing interest and popularity of the WNBA.

This agreement represents a major step for the league's visibility, as CBS will broadcast the most WNBA games on broadcast television in the 2026 season. The WNBA's strategy of focusing on free-to-air television aligns with the NBA's strategy, which signed an 11-year media deal for $77 billion in 2024, with $2.2 billion allocated to the WNBA.

The deal ensures that CBS will broadcast a maximum of 20 regular-season games during the 2026 season, representing the most WNBA games the network has aired on broadcast television. Last year, CBS already aired 20 WNBA regular-season games, but these were split between the CBS Television Network broadcast channel and the CBS Sports Network cable channel. Nine games were broadcast on CBS, while 11 were broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

This new deal marks a significant departure from the previous 2019 agreement, which included 40 games broadcast exclusively on CBS Sports Network, showcasing a strategic shift towards free-to-air television.

The decision to prioritize broadcast television reflects the strategy adopted by the NBA, which signed an 11-year media deal valued at $77 billion in 2024. The NBA's media partners in the new agreement, such as Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime, offer broadcast television or streaming options. The NBA dropped Warner Bros. Discovery, which primarily aired games on cable through TNT and TruTV.

This strategy of the NBA, and now the WNBA, demonstrates the importance of accessibility to increase the audience and impact of sports leagues.

According to Nielsen data, CBS averaged 1.28 million viewers across its nine WNBA games broadcast last year. The game between Indiana Fever and New York Liberty on May 24 attracted 2.2 million viewers, becoming one of the most-watched games of the season across all networks. It is important to note that CBS Sports Network ratings are not included in Nielsen data.

These numbers highlight the growth potential of the WNBA and the public's interest in women's basketball.

The new agreement with CBS underscores the WNBA's growing influence in the sports landscape and its ability to secure favorable media deals. By increasing visibility through broadcast television, the league hopes to attract more fans and generate higher revenue. This deal not only benefits the WNBA but also demonstrates CBS Sports' commitment to women's sports and its potential for continued growth.

The strategic alliance between the WNBA and CBS Sports promises a bright future for women's basketball in the media.