CW to Pick Up New Professional Bull Riders’ Rights
Professional Bull Riders has quickly found new places to run.
After assigning Friday-night contests to Fox Corp.’s Fox Nation streamer, the league said Wednesday that it struck a new multi-year deal with CW, which will become the exclusive broadcast home of Saturday and Sunday PBR Camping World Team Series events. The aforementioned rights deals have been made following the bankruptcy of Merit Street Media, the media company founded by former daytime TV personality Phil McGraw, who had secured a chunk of PBR rights for the venture.
The new PBR schedule for CW will debut Saturday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. eastern and Sunday, August 10 at 2 p.m. eastern, and continue for ten weekends, culminating with the league’s final championship tournament from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26.
“PBR on The CW brings a whole new level of grit, adrenaline, and edge-of-your-seat action to bull riding fans nationwide,” said Mike Perman, senior vice president of sports for CW, in a prepared statement. “Paired with the NASCAR Xfinity Series, weekends on The CW will be a can’t-miss destination to experience two of the nation’s fastest growing sports with some of the most passionate fanbases in the country.”
The CW has placed more emphasis on sports since being bought up by Nexstar Media in 2022. The networks also has rights deals to show the NASCAR Xfinity Series, WWE NXT on Tuesdays and AVP beach volleyball this summer. In the fall, CW will show ACC and Pac-12 football games, with PBA professional bowling beginning in 2026. The CW will also host the broadcast network debut of the popular Savannah Bananas on Sunday, July 27.
“With over-the-air access on Saturdays and Sundays, everyone, no matter where they are, can experience the excitement of bull riding games,” said said Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner, PBR, in a statement. “This partnership perfectly complements our existing television schedule, delivering even more thrilling action to fans, making it easier than ever for them to stay connected to the sport they love.”
