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NBC, Warner Join Big East Roster After CBS Bows Out
NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery picked up rights to show Big East games starting in the 2025-26 season, after CBS bowed out, marking the latest scramble by big media companies to create sports portfolios that drive big ratings but don’t rack up onerous annual costs.
Fox will stay on the BIg East roster. The collegiate athletic conference, which includes Georgetown University and the University of Connecticut, has proven competitive in men’s basketball and women’s field hockey, among other areas.
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Under terms of the new six-year pact, NBC and its Peacock streaming service will show a combined 60 games of mens’s and women’s regular season and tournament contests. Warner’s TNT Sports outlets will show a combined 65 games each season, with most airing on TNT, but some made available via TBS or TruTV. The company’s Max streaming hub will carr all games. Fox remains the biggest rightsholder, with an agreement to carry 80 games overall.
“This agreement further adds to TNT Sports’ portfolio of premium live sports content, featuring championship-caliber college basketball programs and student athletes, and we will utilize all of our assets to elevate the fan experience,” said Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, in a statement. Warner has been working to broaden its sports rights portfolio, adding two college football championship games and the French Open in recent weeks, even as it is expected to drop its signature NBA package.
“Big East Basketball is among the most prestigious in all of college sports, and we’re proud to be able to feature the men’s and women’s teams across our NBCUniversal platforms,” said Rick Cordella, president, NBC Sports, in a statement. “The Big East has a storied basketball history, and we look forward to showcasing these games as the conference creates more memorable moments.” NBC Sports has worked to add more sports to Peacock overall, including extra NFL games. The company is rolling out a host of innovations this summer for streaming subscribers who will be able to enjoy new technology and new game formats tied to the Paris Olympics.
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