Will CBS renew their TV rights to UConn games?

[cellocgg]

I read somewhere that this is our last season under the current agreement

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Which other network will pick us up if CBS doesn't?

 

[cellocgg]

Which other network will pick us up if CBS doesn't?

I would hate to be relegated to ESPN+

 

[freescooter]

ESPN maybe but they rarely do single teams. FOX maybe for FS2?

 

[businesslawyer]

If there is no renewal, we’d be stuck on ESPN plus. As UMass was.

 

[shizzle787]

Good year to go 8-4.

 

[UConnDan97]

From a CBS standpoint, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't want to renew the contract. Low cost on their side, and the product just got more attractive to a viewing audience.

From a UConn standpoint, I believe the fans loved the ease of access and exposure to our team, even if it was on the cheap.

If there is a delay in the renewal, one would think that it is being driven by our side and not theirs. And I would view that as a positive, as it might signal other competitive discussions going on in the background, possibly including conference movement...

 

[huskymedic]

I read somewhere that this is our last season under the current agreement

CBSSN has a two year renewal option pending…

 

[UConnDan97]

CBSSN has a two year renewal option pending…

Do you know how that works? Is it completely done on CBS's side, at the same price?

 

[huskymedic]

Do you know how that works? Is it completely done on CBS's side, at the same price?

If I remember correctly they have to notify UConn by January whether they are exercising their option. Drawing a blank on if there is escalator clause (not sure I’ve seen the actual language).

 

[UConnJim]

It's incredible how many networks and streamers are now signing up college sports: CW, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Peacock, CBS, CBSSN, NBC, ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU, FXO, FS1, FS2, BTN, SECN, ACCN, FloSports, ESPN+,... There will be a place for UConn football.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

It's incredible how many networks and streamers are now signing up college sports: CW, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Peacock, CBS, CBSSN, NBC, ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU, FXO, FS1, FS2, BTN, SECN, ACCN, FloSports, ESPN+,... There will be a place for UConn football.

Please don't include FloSports in any list that is considered reputable. Just awful.

 

[ZooCougar]

Please don't include FloSports in any list that is considered reputable. Just awful.

Paige Bueckers is worth more than FloSports.

 

[ZooCougar]

It's incredible how many networks and streamers are now signing up college sports: CW, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Peacock, CBS, CBSSN, NBC, ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU, FXO, FS1, FS2, BTN, SECN, ACCN, FloSports, ESPN+,... There will be a place for UConn football.

LOL.

Most of those belong to ESPN /Disney. ESPN would be a disaster for us. If we signed with ESPN, they wouldn't pay us a dime and only once in a blue moon would we not be on ESPN+. We would be losing money paying production costs. Why do you think UMass played a tougher SEC schedule than Texas. To get on TV and to get paid.

Same with Peacock.

Flo Sports? Gag me with a spoon.

CBSSN is probably still our best option, and judging from the sheer number of niche sports that still find there way onto that channel, they badly need content and we offer an appealing home slate. I just hate the frequency of commercial breaks. I think it ruins the in stadium experience.

So basically I am not sweating this.

 

[Husky92]

CBSSN is ... I just hate the frequency of commercial breaks. I think it ruins the in stadium experience.

This. I have noticed this season’s games at the Rent seem to always be in stoppage. And I can’t recall past seasons where the shortest home game was over 3 1/2 hours. Really a enthusiasm killer when in the stadium.

 

[Griggs]

cbs fine with me,

 

[Waquoit]

This. I have noticed this season’s games at the Rent seem to always be in stoppage. And I can’t recall past seasons where the shortest home game was over 3 1/2 hours. Really a enthusiasm killer when in the stadium.

Fans who go to games give and give.

 

[Drew]

If I remember correctly they have to notify UConn by January whether they are exercising their option. Drawing a blank on if there is escalator clause (not sure I’ve seen the actual language).

Correct. They have to let us know within the first week of January if they’re extending for another two years. The uptick in payment is minimal, less than 10% across the board but split across different categories of opponents

 

[Drew]

It's incredible how many networks and streamers are now signing up college sports: CW, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Peacock, CBS, CBSSN, NBC, ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU, FXO, FS1, FS2, BTN, SECN, ACCN, FloSports, ESPN+,... There will be a place for UConn football.

CBSSN also has a right of first refusal, meaning if they choose not to exercise the extension option and UConn goes and finds another partner to work a deal out with, CBSSN has the right to match that deal or decline and let UConn go elsewhere

My guess is with Army and Navy both on ESPN the majority of the time now (both kept their CBSSN deals, Navy through 2027 and Army through 2028) they will want to re-up with UConn (options to extend through 2028 season) to keep inventory. We also have a decent amount of future P4 games which they’d be interested in broadcasting I’d imagine. I’d love if we could work it out with them to take over the 2-3 military academy games that go on big CBS every year, technically the contract states that ViacomCBS “selects” the games and then puts them on a chosen network (aka CBSSN) so there is no reason they couldn’t put us on big CBS.

 

[Brochacho]

We have 7 P5 home games 2025-2027. CBS Sports will get to broadcast those for peanuts. We will be renewed.