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LIV Golf, The CW Network strike multiyear broadcast deal

Network will reach more than 120 million households across the U.S. as second-year tour seeks stronger foothold

LIV Golf finally has what it's been working toward for nearly a year — a U.S. TV rights deal.

On Thursday, the second-year tour and The CW Network announced they have entered into multiyear broadcast television and streaming agreement. Beginning with the 2023 LIV Golf League season, The CW will air all 14 global events and stream the events live on The CW App.
 
"This is a momentous day for LIV Golf as this partnership is about more than just media rights. The CW will provide accessibility for our fans and maximum exposure for our athletes and partners as their reach includes more than 120 million households across the United States,” said Greg Norman, CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf. “We’re very proud to note how consequential it is that a league that has only existed for one year has secured a full broadcast deal in its debut full league season."
 
According to a Sports Illustrated report, the deal is structured in such a way that LIV Golf will only share in the advertising revenue with The CW and not receive rights fees that are typical of most deals. The report adds that "the deal is believed to be for at least three years with the possibility of a rights fee being paid after two years."

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The CW is one of America’s five major broadcast networks, offering 14 hours of primetime programming, Monday through Sunday. The CW is 75% owned by Nexstar Media Group Inc. (NXST: Nasdaq).
 
The CW’s acquisition of exclusive US broadcast rights to the LIV Golf League is part of a long-standing industry trend of entertainment networks adding live sports to their programming slates.
 
Weekend tournaments will air live on Saturdays and Sundays on The CW and The CW App and on Fridays on The CW App. With nearly 90 million downloads to date, The CW App, available for free to consumers on all major platforms, is the fully ad-supported exclusive home to the latest episodes and seasons of The CW’s primetime programming, live streaming of its sports content, and a library of entertaining film and television content for free on-demand viewing.
 
“Our new multi-year partnership with The CW will unlock our ability to serve both core golf fans and to reach the casual sports and entertainment viewer as part of our mission to grow the sport,” said Will Staeger, Chief Media Officer of LIV Golf. “Our innovative product attracts a younger viewership demographic to the table than the traditional golf fan, and we’re thrilled to be part of The CW’s growth into its new era of sports programming featuring the biggest stars in golf and our industry-leading storytelling and format.”
 
LIV will see its on-air talent return, with Arlo White leading play-by-play alongside analysts David Feherty and Jerry Foltz in the booth, and Dom Boulet, Su-Ann Heng, and Troy Mullins providing coverage on the course and in feature segments.

Below is the current 2023 LIV Golf League schedule. LIV Golf will announce the full 14 tournament schedule for 2023 in the coming weeks.

February 24-26: Mayakoba’s El Camaleón (Mexico)
March 17-19: The Gallery Golf Club (Tucson, Arizona)
April 21-23: The Grange Golf Club (Adelaide, Australia)
April 28-30: The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)
May 12-14: Cedar Ridge Country Club (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
June 30-July 2: Real Club Valderrama (Spain)
August 4-6: The Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia)


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