Officials from LIV Golf announced Thursday that they have reached a multiyear U.S. broadcast TV and streaming agreement with CW to air their live tournaments.
According to the news release the CW network will broadcast each one of LIV Golfs 14 global events over the air and on CW app this season.
Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, stated that this was a significant day for LIV Golf. The CW will make it easy for our fans to watch and provide maximum exposure for our partners and athletes, as they reach more than 120 million households in the United States. We are very proud to point out how important it is that a league which has only been around for a year has secured a full broadcast contract in its first full league season.
The second LIV Golf season will begin on February 24-26 at El Camaleon Golf Course, Mayakoba (Mexico). LIV Golf has only announced seven of its 14 tournaments for 2023. In the coming days, LIV Golf will announce the complete 2023 schedule.
According to the release, the second- and third rounds of LIV weekend tourneys will air live on Saturdays or Sundays on The CW as well as the CW App. The CW App will stream the opening round.
The financial terms of this deal have not been released. ESPN reported that it is a revenue sharing arrangement. Sources also indicated that LIV Golf would not receive rights fees from CW, but that it would continue to pay production expenses, just as it did during its first season in 2022.
Dennis Miller, president of The CW network said that our new partnership between The CW & LIV Golf will deliver a whole lot more audience and add to growing worldwide excitement for league. With CW broadcasts and streams, more viewers across the country can take part in the LIV Golf energy. They can also view its innovative competition that has reimagined this sport for players, fans, as well as the game of golf.
The majority of the CWs 14-hour prime-time programming is owned by Nexstar Media Group. It is the country’s largest local media and television company. This is the first time that The CW has been a broadcast home for live mainstream sport.
Norman stated that the CW and Nexstar Media Group, its majority owner, are aware of the immense interest in and potential for our league. With their support, more people will experience the energy, innovative competition, and revitalization that LIV Golf is using. The CW is a top-class media partner and we are honored that they have joined forces to bring LIV Golf to life, as they stake their claim to professional sports.
LIV Golf is being financed from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund. According to reports, Fox Sports had been in discussions with LIV Golf about broadcasting its tournaments on FS1 and FS2, with LIV Golf paying for the airtime.