National Women's Soccer League on television
{{Short description|Professional women's soccer league}}
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league owned by the teams, and under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation. At the top of the United States league system, it represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The NWSL was established in 2012 as a successor to Women's Professional Soccer (2007–2012), which was itself the successor to Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003). The league began play in 2013 with eight teams, four of which were former members of Women's Professional Soccer (Chicago Red Stars, Boston Breakers, Sky Blue FC, Western New York Flash).{{cite web|title=Will NWSL be a success? Well ...|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/9161421/espnw-latest-women-professional-soccer-league-success|work=espnW|date=11 April 2013 |access-date=September 21, 2013}}{{cite news|title=Women's pro soccer league to debut in U.S. next year|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2012/11/21/new-womens-soccer-league-to-debut-next-year/1720343/|work=USA Today|access-date=September 21, 2013|first1=Kelly|last1=Whiteside|date=November 21, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Seattle will have team in new women's professional league owned by Bill Predmore|first=Joshua |last=Mayers|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/soundersfcblog/2019731392_seattle_will_have_team_in_new.html|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=September 21, 2013}}
Television coverage
During the 2013–2016 seasons, the majority of league games were available for viewing via YouTube or via individual team's websites.{{cite web|title=National Women's Soccer League|url=https://www.youtube.com/nwslsoccer|via=YouTube|access-date=September 21, 2013}} Of the eight teams in the league during the inaugural season, the Boston Breakers were the only team that charged a fee for access to their broadcasts.{{cite web|last=Murray|first=Caitlin|title=Assessing Year 1, future of NWSL livestreams|url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2013/08/14/assessing-year-1-future-of-nwsl-livestreams/|work=The Equalizer|access-date=September 21, 2013|date=August 14, 2013}}
=Fox Sports 2 (2013)=
{{see also|Soccer on Fox Sports|List of Fox Sports announcers#Fox Soccer|2013 National Women's Soccer League season}}
On April 18, 2013, NWSL signed a one-year agreement{{cite news |date=June 13, 2013|title=NWSL & Fox Sports Media Group Announce 2013 National TV Schedule|url=http://www.pitchsidereport.com/2013/06/13/nwsl-fox-sports-media-group-announce-2013-national-tv-schedule/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710174354/http://www.pitchsidereport.com/2013/06/13/nwsl-fox-sports-media-group-announce-2013-national-tv-schedule/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 10, 2013|work=Pitchside Report}} with Fox Sports 2 to televise six regular season games,{{cite news |date=July 9, 2013|title=NWSL debuts on FOX Soccer with Spirit visit to Seattle|url=https://washingtonspirit.com/2013/07/09/nwsl-debuts-on-fox-soccer-with-spirit-visit-to-seattle/|work=Washington Spirit}} the semifinal,{{cite news |date=August 21, 2013|title=NWSL Playoffs to air on Fox Sports 2|url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/nwsl-playoffs-to-air-on-fox-sports-2/|work=SoccerWire}}{{cite news |last=Bell|first=Jack|date=August 23, 2013|title=Sky Blue Looks Beyond N.W.S.L. Playoffs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/sports/soccer/sky-blue-looks-beyond-nwsl-playoffs.html|work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |date=August 23, 2013|title=NWSL SEMIFINALS SATURDAY ON FOX SPORTS2|url=https://soccerstl.net/2013/08/23/nwsl-semifinals-saturday-on-fox-sports2/|work=SOCCER STL}} and championship games.{{YouTube|title=2013 NWSL Championship Highlights: WNYF vs. PTFC|id=nopYYCMHHkc}}{{cite news |last=Murphy|first=Melissa|date=August 30, 2013|title=Wambach vs Morgan in NWSL championship game|url=https://www.ottumwacourier.com/sports/national_sports/wambach-vs-morgan-in-nwsl-championship-game/article_7558ac92-c983-5d90-b0fd-e2113dceb6e1.html|work=Ottumwa Courier}}{{cite news |last=Kassouf|first=Jeff|date=December 31, 2013|title=Bests and worsts of women's soccer in 2013|url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2013/12/31/bests-and-worsts-nwsl-uswnt-womens-soccer-2013-year-review/|work=The Equalizer}}{{cite web|url=http://nwslsoccer.com/home/711844.html |title=NWSL, FSMG announce national TV agreement|publisher=National Women's Soccer League |access-date=April 28, 2013}} All eight teams would appear on FS2{{cite news |last=Kassouf|first=Jeff|date=June 13, 2013|title=NWSL, Fox Sports announce national TV schedule|url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2013/06/13/nwsl-fox-sports-soccer-national-tv-schedule/|work=The Equalizer}} at least once and all six regular season games.
The commentators that FS2 employed during this time included Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play) and Kyndra de St. Aubin{{YouTube|title=NWSL Semifinals: FC Kansas City vs. Portland Thorns FC|id=mh6ZjwAVz3k}} (color commentary).
=ESPN2 and ESPN3 (2014)=
{{see also|Soccer on ESPN|2014 National Women's Soccer League season}}
On May 28, 2014, the NWSL signed a one-year agreement with ESPN{{cite news |last=Oshan|first=Jeremiah|date=May 28, 2014|title=NWSL signs limited broadcast deal with ESPN|url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/5/28/5757978/nwsl-signs-limited-broadcast-deal-with-espn|work=SBNation}} to televise nine games{{cite news |title=National Women's Soccer League & ESPN Announce National Broadcast Agreement|url=http://chicagoredstars.com/national-womens-soccer-league-espn-announce-national-broadcast-agreement/|work=Chicago Red Stars}} of the 2014 NWSL season. The matches included three regular season and three playoff matches on ESPN2,{{cite news |date=August 30, 2014|title=BECKY SAUERBRUNN IN NWSL FINAL SUNDAY ON ESPN2|url=https://soccerstl.net/2014/08/30/becky-sauerbrunn-nwsl-final-sunday-on-espn2/|work=SOCCER STL}}{{cite news |last=Michelis|first=Belen|date=October 18, 2019|title=ESPN2 to Air National Women's Soccer League Semifinal Doubleheader on Sunday|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/10/test-16/|work=ESPN Press Room}} as well as 3 regular season games live-streamed on ESPN3.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/812790.html |title=NWSL and ESPN announce national broadcast agreement |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530233834/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/812790.html |archive-date=May 30, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
Only six of the nine teams were guaranteed to appear in the broadcast matches, with the Major League Soccer-partnered Houston Dash and Portland Thorns{{cite news |date=May 28, 2014|title=ESPN networks to broadcast three Thorns FC matches in 2014|url=https://www.timbers.com/news/espn-networks-broadcast-three-thorns-fc-matches-2014|work=Portland Timbers}} each appearing three times. The Seattle Reign would appear on two of three ESPN3 games and Sky Blue FC would appear once on ESPN2 and ESPN3. The Boston Breakers and Western New York Flash would each appear once on ESPN2, with the Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City and Washington Spirit being shut out from regular-season matches. ESPN2's the viewership average{{cite news |last=Lewis|first=Jon|date=July 24, 2019|title=Ratings: NWSL, MLB, Baseball HOF|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2019/07/nwsl-ratings-espn2-mlb-baseball-hall-induction/|work=Sports Media Watch}} for their package of NWSL games was 144,000.{{cite news |last=Sandomir|first=Richard|date=July 9, 2015|title=Women's Pro League Seeks a Bump From U.S. World Cup Success|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/10/sports/soccer/womens-pro-league-seeks-a-bump-from-us-world-cup-success.html|work=The New York Times}}
Glenn Davis provided the play-by-play with Mónica González{{cite news |date=July 19, 2014|title=ESPN ADDS NWSL BROADCASTS BEGINNING SUNDAY|url=https://soccerstl.net/2014/07/19/espn-adds-nwsl-broadcasts-beginning-sunday/|work=SOCCER STL}} providing analysis.
=FS1 and Fox Sports Go (2015–2016)=
{{see also|2015 National Women's Soccer League season|2016 National Women's Soccer League season}}
On June 30, 2015,{{cite news |last=Thomas|first=Wendy|date=October 26, 2015|title=WHEN WILL THE LA GALAXY BRING AN NWSL FRANCHISE TO LOS ANGELES?|url=http://cornerofthegalaxy.com/2015/10/26/when-will-the-la-galaxy-bring-an-nwsl-franchise-to-los-angeles/|work=Corner of the Galaxy}} the NWSL announced a one-year agreement{{cite news |last=Ruiz|first=Don|date=June 30, 2015|title=Thorns-Reign kicks off new NWSL TV deal|url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/sounders-insider-blog/article26471017.html|work=Tacoma News Tribune}} with Fox Sports once more to cover ten matches.{{cite news |last=Tolar|first=Alicia|date=July 1, 2015|title=NWSL broadcast deal with FOX will feature Houston Dash in multiple games|url=https://www.dynamotheory.com/2015/7/1/8876771/nwsl-broadcast-deal-with-fox-will-feature-houston-dash-in-multiple|work=SB Nation}} Three regular season and three playoff matches were televised on FS1,{{cite news |last=Sommerfield|first=Seth|date=August 21, 2015|title=A Fiendish Conversation with Beverly Yanez|url=https://www.seattlemet.com/arts-and-culture/2015/08/a-fiendish-conversation-with-beverly-yanez|work=SeattleMet}}{{cite news |date=August 17, 2015|title=Providence Park named host site for 2015 NWSL Championship match|url=https://www.timbers.com/post/2015/08/17/providence-park-named-host-site-2015-nwsl-championship-match|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620132201/https://www.timbers.com/post/2015/08/17/providence-park-named-host-site-2015-nwsl-championship-match|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 20, 2020|work=Portland Timbers}} and four live-streamed on Fox Sports Go.{{cite web|first=Jamie|last=Goldberg|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2015/06/nwsl_and_fox_sports_announce_n.html|title=NWSL and Fox Sports announce national broadcast deal|work=The Oregonian|date=June 30, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2016}} The agreement was extended into 2016 under another one-year contract, covering three regular season matches and the three playoff matches, once again on FS1.{{cite news |date=June 30, 2015|title=FOX Sports 1 to broadcast two Thorns FC home matches, FOX Sports GO to feature two additional games|url=https://www.timbers.com/news/fox-sports-1-broadcast-two-thorns-fc-home-matches-fox-sports-go-feature-two|work=Portland Timbers}}{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2016/04/fox_sports_to_broadcast_six_nw.html|work=The Oregonian|title=Fox Sports to broadcast six NWSL games in 2016|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=May 10, 2016}} Consequently, no game aired for more than a month after the end of the World Cup,{{cite news |last=Yoder|first=Matt|date=July 1, 2015|title=NWSL looks to build on Women's World Cup success in new Fox Sports contract|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/2015/nwsl-looks-to-build-on-womens-world-cup-success-in-new-fox-sports-contract.html|work=Awful Announcing}} and just six matches, total, reached televisions.{{cite news |last=Megdal|first=Howard|date=July 25, 2019|title=How Amy Rodriguez Views The USWNT World Cup Win, NWSL Challenge|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardmegdal/2019/07/25/how-amy-rodriguez-views-the-uswnt-world-cup-win-nwsl-challenge/#684a6ac75ab6|work=Forbes}}
The 2015 NWSL final between drew 167,000 viewers{{cite news |last=Lewis|first=Jon|title=Ratings Roundup: MLB on FOX, WNBA Playoffs, NWSL Final|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/10/sports-ratings-mlb-fox-season-low-wnba-playoffs-down-nwsl-viewership-up/#nwsl|work=Sports Media Watch}} on Fox Sports 1. That was up 7% from the same matchup on ESPN2 the previously year (156K) and up nearly 2,000% from 2013 final on Fox Sports 2 (8K).{{cite news |date=October 2, 2015|title=Ravens-Steelers, Miami-Cincinnati lead cable sports TV ratings for Thursday October 1, 2015|url=https://sportstvratings.com/ravens-steelers-miami-cincinnati-lead-cable-sports-tv-ratings-for-thursday-october-1-2015/3637/|work=Sports TV Ratings}}
On April 14, 2016, NWSL and Fox Sports announced a one-year agreement to telecast six NWSL games for the second consecutive season. The agreement called for FS1 to air three regular-season matches (beginning on September 7, 2016, with a match-up between the Chicago Red Stars and FC Kansas City{{cite news |date=April 14, 2016|title=NWSL & FOX Sports Announce National Broadcast Deal|url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/latest-news/2016/04/14/nwsl-fox-sports-announce-national-broadcast-deal|work=Fox Sports Press Pass}}) and all three games of the NWSL Playoffs, which includes the semifinals and final.{{cite news |last=Ruiz|first=Dan|date=August 17, 2015|title=NWSL title game set for Portland|url=https://www.theolympian.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/sounders-insider-blog/article31330058.html|work=The Olympian}} All six games would also stream live on FOX Soccer 2Go, FOX Sports GO, and FOXSportsGO.com. The Orlando Pride were not one of the three regular-season matches included in the deal,{{cite news |last=Delgallo|first=Alicia|date=April 14, 2016|title=Orlando Pride not part of NWSL national TV deal with FOX Sports|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/os-orlando-pride-nwsl-national-tv-deal-with-fox-sports-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune}} and would have to be one of four playoff teams to make it on national television.
The broadcast teams that Fox Sports employed this time included:
- Jenn Hildreth{{cite news |date=March 30, 2017|title=2017 National Women's Soccer League Game of the Week Begins Live Saturday, April 15|url=http://stylemagazine.com/news/2017/mar/30/2017-national-womens-soccer-league-game-week-begin/|work=Houston Style Magazine}}{{YouTube|title=Jenn Hildreth's NWSL on FS1 Calls (2015)|id=UUKPrNmiTtw}} (play-by-play) and Kyndra de St. Aubin (color commentary)
- Mark Rogondino{{YouTube|title=2015 NWSL Semifinals #2 on FS1: Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit (OPEN)|id=2oAcAzKNZoI}} (play-by-play) and Aly Wagner{{cite news |last=Hoffarth|first=Tom|date=June 7, 2019|title=Aly Wagner Q&A: Fox Sports analyst embraces Women's World Cup moment|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-womens-world-cup-aly-wagner-interview-20190607-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times}} (color commentary)
=Lifetime and ESPNews (2017–2018)=
{{see also|2017 National Women's Soccer League season|2018 National Women's Soccer League season}}
On February 2, 2017, the NWSL announced a three-year agreement with A&E Networks, in which the Lifetime network broadcast 22 regular-season matches as the NWSL Game of the Week at 4 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday afternoons, as well as three post-season matches. This marked the first time that the NWSL had a weekly broadcast window throughout the entire season. As part of the deal, A&E Networks purchased a 25% equity stake in the NWSL and were granted two seats on the league's board. The company also formed a joint venture with the league known as NWSL Media to oversee the league's marketing and broadcast rights, and Lifetime became a league-wide kit sponsor for all players. This deal marked the first time Lifetime had broadcast sports since the WNBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s.{{cite web|title=NWSL, go90 announce exclusive streaming partnership|url=http://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2017/4/13/15282800/nwsl-streaming-go90-2017|website=Black and Red United (SBNation)|date=13 April 2017 |access-date=April 14, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Lifetime To Air National Women's Soccer League Games As A+E Networks Kicks in For Equity Stake|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/lifetime-national-womens-soccer-league-tv-deal-ae-networks-stake-1201900415/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=2 February 2017 |access-date=February 3, 2017}}{{cite web|title=A+E Networks, National Women's Soccer League Ink Major Deal|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/womens-soccer-lifetime-1201975617/|website=Variety|date=2 February 2017 |access-date=February 3, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-e-networks-buys-stake-in-national-womens-soccer-league-1486048177|title=A+E Networks Buys Stake in National Women's Soccer League|work=The Wall Street Journal|first=Keach|last=Hagey|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/sports/soccer/nwsl-lifetime-television-sponsor.html|title=In A&E, Women's Soccer League Gets an Investor and a Bigger Platform|work=The New York Times|first=Andrew|last=Das|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=June 20, 2017}}
Lifetime's broadcasts featured play-by-play announcer Jenn Hildreth,{{cite news |date=March 30, 2017|title=NWSL announces 2017 broadcast schedule on Lifetime|url=https://washingtonspirit.com/2017/03/30/nwsl-announces-2017-broadcast-schedule-on-lifetime/|work=Washington Spirit}} analyst Aly Wagner, host and sideline reporter Dalen Cuff{{YouTube|title=NWSL on Lifetime: North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns (2017 NWSL Championship Game)|id=h4qWQx7g-cU}} as well as select appearances by analyst and sideline reporter Kate Markgraf.
Lifetime also streamed the game of the week in the United States via its website, and internationally in the NWSL website and iOS app. The remaining games were initially streamed exclusively by go90 in the United States under a digital rights deal with Verizon Communications, and through the NWSL website internationally.{{cite web|title=NWSL, go90 announce exclusive streaming partnership|url=http://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2017/4/13/15282800/nwsl-streaming-go90-2017|website=Black and Red United (SBNation)|date=13 April 2017 |publisher=Vox Media|access-date=April 14, 2017}} The quality of the streams through go90 faced criticism, with sportswriters, users, and players and team staff criticizing the service for its inconsistent quality and arguing that the NWSL's growth could be harmed by go90's relative lack of reach and prominence when compared to YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themaneland.com/2017/5/15/15639158/go90-deal-puts-nwsl-and-orlando-pride-in-dire-situation|title=Go90 Deal Puts NWSL and Orlando Pride in Dire Situation|work=The Maneland (SB Nation)|first=Sean|last=Rollins|date=May 15, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebluetestament.com/2017/5/1/15496402/the-nwsls-go90-deal-could-be-hurting-the-league-fc-kansas-city|title=The NWSL's go90 Deal Could Be Hurting the League|work=The Blue Testament (SB Nation)|first=Chad C|last=Smith|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017}} The Equalizer noted that the app was prone to crashing, did not have the same wide device support as YouTube,{{Cite web|url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2017/04/13/lee-nwsl-missed-the-mark-with-go90/|title=Lee: NWSL missed the mark with go90|work=The Equalizer|first=Allison|last=Lee|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017}} and that the telecasts themselves suffered from their own technical problems (such as poor camera angles and glitches with graphics), but that the streams were good when they worked.{{Cite web|url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2017/05/17/run-of-play-technical-difficulties/|title=Run of Play: Technical Difficulties|work=The Equalizer|first=Chelsey|last=Bush|date=May 17, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017}} On May 19, 2017, the league announced that they would additionally stream games on the NWSL website and app in the U.S. until the technical issues with go90 were rectified.{{Cite news|url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2017/05/19/nwsl-to-offer-streams-on-league-site-app/|title=NWSL to offer streams on league site, app|work=The Equalizer|access-date=October 23, 2017}}
After Houston Dash player Rachel Daly collapsed on the pitch after a match in Houston, on May 27 – where the heat index was reportedly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit – she was carried off on a stretcher and hospitalized for heat illness. League operations director Amanda Duffy subsequently announced that the NWSL Game of the Week matches, many of which were slated for the hottest parts of the day in humid cities such as Houston, Orlando, and Cary, North Carolina, would be rescheduled to allow for longer hydration breaks. Some Game of the Week matches changed to other venues, and teams not scheduled for television were granted more flexibility in rescheduling kickoffs for player safety. The league also adopted new procedures for addressing heat and rescheduling matches.{{Cite web|url=http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/rachel-daly-collapses-is-taken-off-on-stretcher-at-end-1795609863|title=Rachel Daly Collapses, Is Taken Off on Stretcher at End of Match|work=Deadspin|first=Timothy|last=Burke|date=May 27, 2017|access-date=June 20, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.socceramerica.com/article/73769/nwsl-measures-adopted-to-deal-with-afternoon-heat.html|title=NWSL: Measures adopted to deal with afternoon heat|work=Soccer America|first=Paul|last=Kennedy|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=June 20, 2017}}
On June 6, 2018, it was announced that six Game of the Week matches through the remainder of the season would move to evening kickoffs and air on ESPNews (which is owned by a sister venture to A&E Networks), in an effort to ensure the safety of players, as well as improve attendance.{{Cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2018/06/nwsl_hopes_moving_games_to_eve.html|title=NWSL hopes moving games to evening slot on ESPNews will boost attendance, ensure player safety|work=The Oregonian|access-date=July 9, 2018}} Go90 shut down in July 2018; the remaining games not aired on television were moved back to the NWSL website for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2018/07/nwsl_will_stream_games_on_webs.html|title=NWSL will stream games on website in August and September after go90 shuts down|work=The Oregonian|access-date=November 4, 2018}}
Since ESPNNews was generally included in a higher-tier cable package as compared to Lifetime, this made the channel less accessible to the average viewer. Fans not watching on television would be able to stream the games live via the ESPN App, but they would need to be ESPNews subscribers to do that as authentication is required in the U.S. This could have potentially led to lower viewership numbers for the games broadcast on ESPNews.{{cite news |last=Goldberg|first=Jamie|date=June 6, 2018|title=NWSL hopes moving games to evening slot on ESPNews will boost attendance, ensure player safety|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2018/06/nwsl_hopes_moving_games_to_eve.html|work=The Oregonian}}
=ESPNews and ESPN2 (2019)=
{{see also|2019 National Women's Soccer League season}}
On February 20, 2019, the NWSL announced that A&E Networks had pulled out of its broadcasting agreement{{cite news |last=Bupp|first=Phillip|date=July 4, 2019|title=ESPN to show 14 NWSL games, including playoffs, for the rest of 2019 season|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-to-show-14-nwsl-games-including-playoffs-for-the-rest-of-2019-season.html|work=Awful Announcing}} with the league one season early. A&E's stake in NWSL Media was given back to the league, but Lifetime would remain a kit sponsor.{{cite news |last=Poe, Romero|first=Julia, Iliana Limón|date=July 4, 2019|title=ESPN, NWSL announce broadcast partnership for remainder of 2019 season|url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/espn-nwsl-announce-broadcast-partnership-for-remainder-of-2019-season/|work=Pro Soccer USA}} NWSL president Amanda Duffy said the changes would give the league and its teams finer control over its media and sponsorship agreements, and expected to announce a new television rights deal soon. Verizon Media remained the U.S. digital rightsholder to the league, but the streams moved from go90 to the Yahoo! Sports website and apps.{{Cite web|url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/02/20/nwsl-a-e-networks-end-partnership-early-analysis-world-cup-year-tv-streaming-rights/|title=The NWSL's partnership with A+E is over. Now what?|work=The Equalizer|last=Kassouf|first=Jeff|date=20 February 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019}}
The NWSL did not reach any national television deals before the start of the 2019 season,{{Cite web|url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/how-to-watch-nwsl-matches-this-season/|title=How to watch NWSL matches this season|last=Romero|first=Iliana Limón|date=April 13, 2019|website=Pro Soccer USA|access-date=April 19, 2019}} but after their opening match, the Chicago Red Stars reached their own television deal with the regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/chicago-red-stars/nwsl-chicago-nbc-redstars-tv-kerr-2019/|title=NWSL: NBC Sports Chicago to broadcast Red Stars|last=Northam|first=Mitchell|date=April 17, 2019|website=Pro Soccer USA|access-date=April 19, 2019}} In July 2019, the NWSL announced that ESPN had acquired a 14-match{{cite news |last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=July 4, 2019|title=NWSL Pro Women's Soccer League Back On TV In ESPN Deal|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/nwsl-tv-deal-espn-womens-pro-soccer-1202642209/#comments|work=Deadline}} package for the remainder of the season divided among ESPNews and ESPN2, including the semifinals and championship match.{{Cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-to-show-14-nwsl-games-including-playoffs-for-the-rest-of-2019-season.html|title=ESPN to show 14 NWSL games, including playoffs, for the rest of 2019 season|date=July 4, 2019|website=Awful Announcing|access-date=July 5, 2019}} Eight matches would air on ESPNEWS, and the remaining six, including the two semifinals and the championship,{{YouTube|title=NWSL on ESPN: North Carolina Courage vs. Chicago Red Stars (2019 NWSL Championship)|id=aqaFzni8ww8}} would air on ESPN2.{{cite news |date=July 4, 2019|title=ESPN Signs Media Rights Agreement with National Women's Soccer League for Second Half of 2019 Season|url=http://chicagoredstars.com/nwslxespn/|work=Chicago Red Stars}}
The 2019 playoffs on ESPN2 averaged 148,000 viewers overall, up 66 percent from 2018. That year's championship game between the North Carolina Courage and Chicago Red Stars was seen by an average audience of 166,000 viewers on ESPN2, making it the most-watched NWSL match in three years. The audience was 43 percent higher than the 2018 Final and the NWSL's best audience since the 2016 Final (Western New York vs. Washington, 180,000 viewers). The 2019 NWSL season finished with an average of 81,000 viewers across ESPN networks, up 7 percent year-over-year. The 2019 NWSL season on ESPN networks also made its biggest year-over-year gains among viewers 18–49 with an average of 37,000 viewers, a 32 percent increase over the previous year.{{cite news |last=Michelis|first=Belen|date=October 31, 2019|title=National Women's Soccer League Championship on ESPN is the Most-Viewed NWSL Match in Three Years|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/10/national-womens-soccer-league-championship-on-espn-is-the-most-viewed-nwsl-match-in-three-years/|work=ESPN Press Room}}
ESPN's broadcast talent line-up{{cite news |last=Lewis|first=Michael|date=July 12, 2019|title=BROADCAST TALENT: For ESPN's NWSL coverage|url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/07/12/broadcast-talent-for-espns-nwsl-coverage/|work=Front Row Soccer}} included Aly Wagner (color commentary), Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play), Angela Hucles (color commentary), Glenn Davis (play-by-play), Marisa Pilla (sideline reporter), and Dalen Cuff (play-by-play and sideline reporter).
=CBS Sports and Twitch (2020–2022)=
{{see also|Soccer on CBS Sports|2020 National Women's Soccer League season|2020 NWSL Challenge Cup}}
In October 2019, the NWSL signed the agency Octagon to market its media rights. It was reported that Octagon was pursuing multi-year agreements of at least three years and stronger broadcaster commitments, as to help build an audience and discourage broadcasters from acquiring NWSL rights to ride the coattails of the U.S. national team and the FIFA Women's World Cup, but then "abandon" it afterward.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nwsl-octagon-three-year-us-broadcast-deals-media-rights|title=Octagon insists on three-year minimums for NWSL US broadcast deals, says report|website= SportsPro Media|date=4 December 2019 |access-date=January 2, 2020}}
On March 11, 2020, the NWSL announced that it has entered into a three-year media agreement with CBS Sports{{cite news |last=Megdal|first=Howard|date=March 11, 2020|title=Takeaways From The New NWSL TV Deal With CBS|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardmegdal/2020/03/11/womens-soccer-news-takeaways-from-new-nwsl-tv-deal/#7354ab12a632|work=Forbes}} and the video game-oriented streaming service Twitch,{{cite news |last1=Levine |first1=Matthew |title=NWSL announces landmark multi-year media agreements with CBS Sports featuring games on CBS, CBS Sports Network, & CBS All-Access and Twitch |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-landmark-multi-year-media-agreements-with-cbs-sports-featuring-games-on-cbs-cbs-sports-cbs-all-access-and-twitch |access-date=March 17, 2020 |publisher=NWSL |date=March 11, 2020}} for a reported $4.5M rights fee to the NWSL over those 3 years.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Bob |title=CBS Sports leverages women's football growth in NWSL deal |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/how-the-coronavirus-pandemic-spurred-sponsor-interest-and-big-tv-payoff-for-the-nwsl-224138552.html |access-date=8 January 2022 |publisher=SportBusiness Media |date=2021-06-17}} For the 2020 NWSL season, CBS Sports will broadcast 87 matches (including the playoffs) split between CBS, CBS Sports Network, and CBS All Access in Canada and the United States, with the exact distribution among the channels subject to change, while Twitch will stream an additional 24 matches for free. Twitch will also become the NWSL's international media rights holder and stream all matches outside Canada and the United States for free.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21175118/twitch-national-womens-soccer-league-matches-amazon-sports-streaming|title=Amazon continues push into sports with National Women's Soccer League on Twitch|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=March 11, 2020|website=The Verge|access-date=March 13, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/03/12/nwsl-inks-multi-year-deal-with-cbs-sports-twitch/|title=NWSL Inks Multi-Year Deal With CBS Sports, Twitch|website=Sports Video Group|date=12 March 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2020}} This marked the first time that CBS Sports would broadcast any major professional soccer on U.S. television since the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1976.{{cite news |last=Tse|first=Oliver|date=February 13, 2020|title=Why CBS Sports Needs to Hire Kate Scott as the Number 1 Play-by-play Commentator for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)|url=http://workingnow88.com/2020/02/13/why-cbs-sports-needs-to-hire-kate-scott-as-the-number-1-play-by-play-commentator-for-national-womens-soccer-league/|work=workingnow88.com}} However, actual production responsibilities would not be handled by CBS Sports, but National Women's Soccer League itself.{{cite news |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew|date=June 21, 2021|title=NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird apologizes for league-produced broadcast identifying a fan as Jessica McDonald's son|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/nwsl-commissioner-lisa-baird-apologizes-to-jessica-mcdonald-for-wrong-identification.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=}} This broadcasting arrangement is similar to a brokered deal or a time-buy.
Coverage of the 2020 NWSL season was scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS and CBS All Access with coverage of the OL Reign taking on the Washington Spirit. That was supposed to be followed by a rematch of previous year's championship game between the Chicago Red Stars and the North Carolina Courage at 7 p.m. ET on Twitch. On March 12, 2020, the preseason match schedule was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite press release|date=March 12, 2020 |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/statement-from-nwsl-commissioner-lisa-baird-regarding-the-2020-season|title=All preseason matches have been canceled|publisher=National Women’s Soccer League|access-date=March 12, 2020}} As a result, the NWSL announced on March 20 that the regular season start cancelled.{{cite web |title=COVID-19 resources and updates for NWSL fans|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/covid-19-resources-and-updates-for-nwsl-fans|publisher=NWSL |access-date=March 21, 2020}}
And then on June 16, 2020, the National Women's Soccer League announced{{cite news |date=June 16, 2020|title=NWSL Announces Full Slate of Matches Ahead of 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Presented by P&G and Secret|url=https://www.rsl.com/post/2020/06/16/nwsl-announces-full-slate-matches-ahead-2020-nwsl-challenge-cup-presented-pg-and|work=RSL.com}} that CBS would air the opening match of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup between back-to-back champions North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns FC on June 27 at 10:30 a.m. MT (12:30 p.m. ET). The CBS broadcast coverage of the opening match would also stream live on CBS All Access, and opening day would continue with a matchup between the Orlando Pride and Chicago Red Stars on CBS All Access at 8 p.m. MT (10 p.m. ET).
The opening match would be covered{{cite news |date=June 24, 2020|title=How To Watch The 2020 National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup On CBS And CBS All Access|url=https://www.cbs.com/recommended/news/1009875/how-to-watch-the-2020-national-women-s-soccer-league-challenge-cup-on-cbs-and-cbs-all-access/|work=CBS}} by play-by-play announcer Jenn Hildreth and analyst Aly Wagner, with games 2 through 22 called by play-by-play announcer Mike Watts and analyst Lori Lindsey. Josh Tolle and Jenn Cooper{{cite news |date=June 24, 2020|title=UNVEILING THE TALENT: Who will announce NWSL Challenge Cup|url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/06/24/unveiling-the-talent-who-will-announce-nwsl-challenge-cup/|work=Front Row Soccer}} would broadcast all other matches on Twitch for viewers outside the U.S. and Canada. Marisa Pilla would serve as the tournament's on-field reporter.
For the 2021 NWSL Championship Game{{cite news |last= |first= |date=November 15, 2021|title=Chicago Red Stars to face Washington Spirit in 2021 NWSL Championship|url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/chicago-red-stars-to-face-washington-spirit-in-2021-nwsl-championship/|work=Soccer Wire|location= |access-date=}} on November 20, CBS{{cite news |last=Krishnaiyer|first=Kartik|date=April 7, 2021|title=CBS NWSL Coverage offers greater reach and strong talent|url=https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/04/07/cbs-sports-coverage-of-nwsl-2021-season-offers-greater-reach-and-strong-talent-lineup/|work=World Soccer Talk|location= |access-date=}} aired the game live while Paramount+ (formally CBS All Access) would stream it live on their service. Meanwhile, the NWSL's Twitch channel would stream the game internationally. Jenn Hildreth once again provided the play-by-play alongside Aly Wagner with Marisa Pilla and Lori Lindsey reporting from the sidelines.
=CBS Sports, TSN, DAZN, Tigo, and Endeavor (2023)=
The league's partnership with Twitch expired after the 2022 season, and the league declined to renew it, instead contracting Endeavor Streaming to operate an international streaming service for the league, while three international broadcast partners acquired broadcast rights for their territories:{{cite news |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/nwsl-launches-international-streaming-service-with-endeavor-also-strikes-deal-with-dazn.html |title=NWSL launches international streaming service with Endeavor, also strikes deal with DAZN |date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=Awful Announcing |first=Joe |last=Lucia}}
- The Sports Network acquired broadcast rights in Canada for TSN and TSN+.{{cite press release |url=https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/tsn-acquires-broadcast-rights-to-the-national-womens-soccer-league-kicking-off-march-26/ |title=TSN Acquires Broadcast Rights to the NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE, Kicking Off March 26 |date=March 8, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |publisher=Bell Media}}
- DAZN acquired non-exclusive broadcast rights for Brazil, Japan, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, France, Belgium, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
- Tigo acquired non-exclusive broadcast rights for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
On June 6, 2023, Tigo also added free Spanish-language streams of two regular-season NWSL matches per week, the NWSL Challenge Cup playoffs, and NWSL playoffs in the United States and Canada.{{cite press release |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-tigo-sports-launch-first-ever-spanish-language-broadcast-program |title=NWSL, Tigo Sports Launch First-Ever Spanish-Language Broadcast Program |date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=June 6, 2023 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League}}
CBS Sports remained the league's broadcast partner through 2023, but did not extend a deal with the league prior to the end of its period of exclusive negotiations in 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nwsl-tv-rights-cbs-streaming-twitch-jessica-berman/ |title=NWSL media rights to hit market after CBS exclusivity window expires |date=January 13, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=SportsPro |first=Josh |last=Sim}} CBS continued to air limited matches on over-the-air CBS broadcast and CBS Sports Network, with most matches still streamed on the paid Paramount+ service. Upon the launch of the free soccer-focused CBS Sports Golazo Network service, CBS announced that a limited schedule of NWSL matches would also be streamed there.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2023/04/11/cbs-sports-golazo-network-24-hour-free-digital-soccer-channel/11639891002/ |title=CBS Sports Golazo Network marks debut of first 24-hour free digital soccer channel |date=April 11, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=USA Today |first=Steve |last=Gardner}}
The league announced a broadcast crew that included Jacqui Oatley, Lori Lindsey, and Lianne Sanderson for nationally broadcast matches, and Jill Loyden, Tony Meola, Kate Scott, and Saskia Webber for broadcasts on CBS Sports Network and matches streamed on Paramount+.
Play-by-play announcers included JP Dellacamera, Josh Eastern, Jenn Hildreth, Joe Malfa, Maura Sheridan, Jamie Watson, and Mike Watts, with Jordan Angeli and Gary Bailey on color commentary.{{cite press release |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-on-air-talent-lineup-for-2023-season |title=NWSL Announces On-Air Talent Lineup For 2023 Season |date=March 17, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League}}
= 2024–present: CBS, Amazon, ESPN and Ion=
On November 9, 2023, the NWSL announced multi-year deals with CBS Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Scripps Sports, reported to be valued in total at around $60 million per-season (in comparison to the roughly $1.5 million paid by CBS under the previous agreement).{{Cite web |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=November 9, 2023 |title=The NWSL signs new broadcast deals with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and ION worth $60 million a year |url=https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/nwsl-tv-streaming-cbs-espn-amazon-prime-video-ion-20231109.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=Inquirer.com |language=en}}
- On CBS and streaming on Paramount+, CBS Sports will air at least 10 regular season matches, one quarter-final, one semi-final, and the championship. Eight matches will air exclusively on CBS Sports Network.{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=November 9, 2023 |title=NWSL announces new media rights deals, reportedly paying $60 million annually |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/nwsl-new-media-rights-deals-espn-amazon-scripps-cbs.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}
- Prime Video will stream the season opening match, 25 regular season matches on Friday nights, and one quarter-final.
- ESPN will air 17 regular season matches, two quarter-finals, and one semi-final on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC, and streaming on ESPN+.
- Ion Television will air 50 regular season matches per-season, consisting of primetime doubleheaders on Saturday nights.
- The remaining matches not covered by these contracts are streamed for free on the league-owned NWSL+ streaming service. Individual teams also have the option to sell the rights to these matches to regional sports networks or broadcast stations in their local markets, though the NWSL+ stream is not blacked out.{{cite news |last1=Sperry |first1=Daniel |title=NWSL announces new 2024 TV rights deal with Prime, Scripps |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article281667588.html |work=Kansas City Star |date=November 9, 2023}}
List of broadcasters
=Regional broadcasters=
==Former teams==
=International broadcasters (outside USA)=
The countries without broadcasting rights, can watch all NWSL matches via NWSL+ platform.{{cite web|title=How to Watch the NWSL in 2025?|date=12 March 2025 |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/how-to-watch-the-nwsl-in-2025-select-matches-by-territory|publisher=NWSL|access-date=14 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Country/region
! Broadcaster |
|---|
| Africa |
| {{DEN}} |
| {{FIN}} |
| {{ISL}} |
| {{NED}} |
| {{NOR}} |
| {{SWE}} |
| {{AUS}} |
| {{BRA}}
| Canal GOAT |
| {{CAN}}
| TSN |
| Central America
|rowspan="2" | TV Azteca |
| {{MEX}} |
| {{IRL}}
|rowspan="2"| TNT Sports |
| {{UK}} |
| {{MENA}} |
| {{POR}}
| Canal 11 |
=NWSL Championship/Challenge Cup=
{{Note|1|INT}}– Twitch's Challenge Cup worldwide coverage was not available for USA and CAN viewers.
See also
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.nwslsoccer.com/faq National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL]
- [https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-soccer-tv-schedule/ Women’s soccer TV schedule for US viewers]
- [https://www.cbssports.com/nwsl/ NWSL on CBS]
{{National Women's Soccer League|state=expanded}}
{{Fox Sports}}
{{ESPN}}
{{Lifetime Shows}}
{{CBS Sports}}
{{Professional women's soccer on television in the United States}}
{{Association football on television}}
{{Professional sports on television in the United States}}
Category:Lifetime (TV channel) original programming