CBS expands WNBA deal to include more games on broadcast
CBS expands WNBA deal to include more games on broadcast
Henceforward, WNBA games will not appear on CBS Sports Network.
The 2026 WNBA season is closer than you might think! The season starts in early May, and this year, two new teams are joining the league. The Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo are the two newest WNBA clubs, and ahead of the 2026 season, Paramount has announced a big change to the way it will offer its package of WNBA games going forward.
Key Details:
- No more cable: Paramount’s WNBA games will no longer be played on CBS Sports Network.
- More is better: CBS will offer “The WNBA Tip Off Show” more frequently this year.
- Linear and digital: Games will continue to stream on the Paramount+ Premium tier, as well.
Paramount has adjusted its deal with the WNBA to move live game broadcasts off the CBS Sports Network cable channel. That network previously shared broadcasting duties for WNBA games with CBS, but henceforward, all games will be offered on the Eye Network.
CBS gets up to 20 WNBA games per season. The channel shares the league’s rights with ABC/ESPN, ION, NBC, Prime Video, and USA Network. CBS was not initially included in the 11-year, $2.2 billion deal the WNBA signed with ESPN, NBC, and Prime Video in 2022, but came to a new multi-year agreement with the league later.
In addition to expanding the availability of games on CBS, Paramount has announced that “The WNBA Tip Off Show,” its pre- and post-game studio show, will expand to support 10 matchups per season. The show will also welcome Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie as analyst and CBS Sports reporter Jenny Dell as host, joining analyst Renee Montgomery.
“The WNBA’s growth and cultural impact have never been stronger, and CBS Sports is proud to deepen our longstanding partnership with a league that continues to drive the evolution of women’s sports,” CBS Sports EVP Dan Weinberg said. “With our entire schedule of games on broadcast television, we are broadening the league’s reach and amplifying the WNBA’s momentum with best‑in‑class coverage that reflects the excellence of its athletes and resonates with fans.”
Customers can stream live WNBA games on CBS with the Paramount+ Premium plan, which starts at $14 per month. CBS is also available to stream on live TV streaming services such as DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV in various channel packages.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.