Latest news with #WNBAFridayNightSpotlight
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Scripps reaches multi-year agreement with the WNBA to continue Friday night games on ION
NEW YORK and CINCINNATI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) today announced a new, multi-year agreement with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to continue airing regular season Friday night matchups on ION – the league's Friday night national network home since 2023. ION, one of the most-watched networks on television, is available on pay TV, connected TV, free ad-supported streaming platforms and over-the-air in more than 128 million homes. This season, ION is broadcasting the most regular season games, 50 in total, as part of its WNBA Friday Night Spotlight series. The lineup also includes the WNBA on ION Studio Show, which is the first weekly game broadcast studio show dedicated exclusively to WNBA game coverage. This new agreement comes on the heels of a 2024 season where average viewership for the State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight increased by 133% year over year and attracted more than 23 million unique viewers across games and wrap shows. "The WNBA's partnership with Scripps has already delivered great results in expanding the league's reach and visibility," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. "This new multi-year agreement reflects the growing excitement surrounding the league and the rising demand for WNBA games. Through Scripps' ION Network Friday Night doubleheaders, we will continue to showcase the world-class talent of WNBA athletes to even more fans nationwide." "Since 2023, the WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION has enhanced the accessibility and reach of WNBA games for fans nationwide," said Adam Symson, Scripps president and CEO. "Our robust partnership with the league has flourished, and we are thrilled to solidify ION's status as the premier Friday night destination for WNBA action for years to come." The E.W. Scripps Company, headquartered in Cincinnati, is a distinguished journalism and media enterprise, celebrated for its deep-rooted community connections and expansive national reach. For 147 years, Scripps has been a trusted source for unbiased news and information. The Scripps Sports division adeptly services professional and collegiate sports leagues, conferences and teams, offering both local market depth and national broadcast visibility that covers up to 100% of TV households. To access complete details about the WNBA on ION, and find ION channel information, visit Follow @IONWNBA on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for future updates. Scripps media contact: Jim Weiss, (770) 722-2142, About IONA leading general entertainment network, ION's lineup features major cable and broadcast shows, original series, live sports and special event programming. ION is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in more than 40 markets. About Scripps SportsScripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach. Scripps Sports currently has partnerships with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, the new Utah Hockey Club, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and the NCAA's Big Sky Conference. Scripps Sports is a division of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a Fortune 1000 American media company. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille
CNBC
a day ago
- Business
- CNBC
WNBA renews media rights deal with Scripps
The WNBA and E.W. Scripps announced on Friday a new, multi-year media rights agreement to carry Friday night WNBA matchups on Ion. The new agreement also includes the "WNBA on Ion" studio show, the first weekly broadcast show dedicated exclusively to WNBA coverage. The value of the deal was not disclosed, but media reports peg the original deal that expires at the end of the 2025 season at an average of $13 million annually. The WNBA has been airing games on Ion since 2023. This season, the network will broadcast 50 regular season games. Ion is available on pay TV and streaming platforms in more than 128 million homes, according to a news release obtained by CNBC Sport. The new agreement comes after Ion has seen huge growth with the WNBA and as the league gains in popularity thanks to stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The network said WNBA Friday Night Spotlight viewership grew 133% year over year and more than 23 million unique viewers tuned into the coverage. "Our robust partnership with the league has flourished, and we are thrilled to solidify ION's status as the premier Friday night destination for WNBA action for years to come," said Scripps CEO Adam Symson in the release. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the partnership with Scripps has helped the league expand its reach and visibility. "This new multi-year agreement reflects the growing excitement surrounding the league and the rising demand for WNBA games," she added. The league signed an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon and Comcast-owned NBCUniversal last July as part of the NBA's media rights negotiation. The WNBA's portion of the deal is valued at about $200 million per year, CNBC previously reported.
