WNBA on CBS

{{Infobox television

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| alt_name = WNBA on CBS Sports

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| genre = WNBA basketball telecasts

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| theme_music_composer = Taylor Ralph

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| open_theme = "Queen of the Court"

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| country = United States

| language = English

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Deb Boulac{{cite news |last=Hernández|first=Kristian|date=May 24, 2024|title=WNBA Tip-Off 2024: CBS Sports Commits to Women’s Pro Basketball With Full Onsite Productions|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/05/24/wnba-tip-off-2024-cbs-sports-commits-to-womens-pro-basketball-with-full-onsite-productions/#:~:text=Going%20In%2DHouse%3A%20Broadcaster%20Opts,via%20the%20traditional%20onsite%20method.|work=Sports Media Watch|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}
Jason Ross
Bill Thayer

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| camera = Multi-camera

| runtime = 120 minutes+

| company = CBS Sports

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CBS
CBS Sports Network
Paramount+{{cite news |last=Maloney|first=Jack|date=April 10, 2024|title=2024 WNBA schedule: CBS to nationally broadcast 20 games, including three featuring Caitlin Clark and Fever|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/2024-wnba-schedule-cbs-to-nationally-broadcast-20-games-including-three-featuring-caitlin-clark-and-fever/|work=CBS Sports|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}

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| first_aired = {{Start date|2019|05|25}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=WNBA announces game-changing television partnership with CBS Sports|url=https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/22/18511146/wnba-cbs-sports-network-television-partnership|work= |location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}

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WNBA on CBS is an American television sports presentation show broadcast by CBS. It premiered on May 25, 2019. The consist of branding used for presentation of Women's National Basketball Association.{{cite news |last=Kleen|first=Brendon|date=July 10, 2024|title=CBS’ Saturday morning WNBA broadcasts are perfect example of league investment paying off|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/wnba/saturday-morning-broadcasts-cbs-ion.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}

Background

=Terms of the deal=

On April 22, 2019, CBS Sports Network and the WNBA struck a deal{{cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Brian|date=April 22, 2019|title=CBS Sports, WNBA Strike TV Deal|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/cbs-sports-wnba-tv-rights-deal-1203194367/|work=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Megdal |first=Howard |title=New CBS Deal With WNBA Is Latest Reminder Of League's New Revenue Streams |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardmegdal/2019/04/23/new-cbs-sports-network-deal-with-wnba-latest-reminder-of-new-revenue-streams/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Forbes |language=en}} to televise 40 games in primetime and on weekends during the 2019 season. The games broadcast on CBS from local broadcasts already airing on the WNBA's streaming site, WNBA League Pass.{{cite news |last= Dominguez|first=Mariana|date=April 24, 2019|title=Column: CBS Sports and the WNBA teaming up is great for women's sports|url=https://dailycampus.com/stories/2019/4/24/column-cbs-sports-and-the-wnba-teaming-up-is-great-for-womens-sports|work=The Daily Campus}}

=Production=

Initially, most games were broadcast via clean feeds provided by the league and the home team's regional broadcaster. Beginning in the 2024 season, the games carried on the CBS network are now produced in-house by CBS Sports, with the clean feed productions now used solely for games on CBS Sports Network.{{Cite web |last=Hernández |first=Kristian |date=2024-05-24 |title=WNBA Tip-Off 2024: CBS Sports Commits to Women's Pro Basketball With Full Onsite Productions |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/05/24/wnba-tip-off-2024-cbs-sports-commits-to-womens-pro-basketball-with-full-onsite-productions/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Sports Video Group |language=en}}

Schedules

The 2021 season had 100 games broadcast on national networks, including 40 on CBS networks.{{Cite web|last=Ward|first=Zack|date=2021-05-03|title=WNBA to have 100 nationally televised games|url=https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2021/5/3/22417963/wnba-2021-espn-abc-cbs-nba-tv-facebook-twitter-streaming-broadcast-schedule-mystics-sky-aces-storm|access-date=2021-05-04|website=Swish Appeal|language=en}} On June 19, 2021, CBS broadcast{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=2021 WNBA TV schedule|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/wnba-tv-schedule-2021-espn-abc-cbs/|work=Sports Media Watch|location= |access-date=}} a WNBA game between the Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 10, 2021|title=Chicago Sky Announce TV Schedule for 2021 Season|url=https://sky.wnba.com/news/chicago-sky-announce-tv-schedule-for-2021-season/|work=WNBA|location= |access-date=}} with Lisa Byington providing the play-by-play and Lisa Leslie providing analysis. On June 26, 2021, CBS broadcast a game between the Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings.

The remaining national broadcast schedule for the 2022 season was released in April and May 2022—including two regular season games on CBS and 38 on CBS Sports Network.{{cite web |last=Kria |first=Nikki |title=Twitter announces a diverse slate of premium content partnerships at 2022 Digital Content NewFronts |url=https://business.twitter.com/en/blog/twitter-newfronts-2022.html |website=Twitter |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512190143/https://business.twitter.com/en/blog/twitter-newfronts-2022.html |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |date=May 4, 2022}}

2024 was the first year of a two-year deal with CBS Sports.{{cite web|last=Lucia|first=Joe|title=CBS Sports announces new multi-year deal with WNBA|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/paramount-global/cbs-sports-wnba-multi-year-deal.html|work=Awful Announcing|date=April 10, 2024|access-date=April 10, 2024|archive-date=April 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410211741/https://awfulannouncing.com/paramount-global/cbs-sports-wnba-multi-year-deal.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|title=Amazon Prime Video Extends WNBA Exclusive Streaming Pact for Two More Years|url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/amazon-prime-video-wnba-exclusive-streaming-renewal-two-years-1235961584/|work=Variety|date=April 5, 2024|access-date=April 10, 2024|archive-date=April 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410101418/https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/amazon-prime-video-wnba-exclusive-streaming-renewal-two-years-1235961584/|url-status=live}} Also in 2024, CBS Sports aired 20 regular-season games, with eight airing on CBS and 12 airing on CBS Sports Network.{{cite web|last=Maloney|first=Jack|title=2024 WNBA schedule: CBS to nationally broadcast 20 games, including three featuring Caitlin Clark and Fever|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/2024-wnba-schedule-cbs-to-nationally-broadcast-20-games-including-three-featuring-caitlin-clark-and-fever/|work=CBS Sports|date=April 10, 2024|access-date=April 10, 2024|archive-date=April 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411032249/https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/2024-wnba-schedule-cbs-to-nationally-broadcast-20-games-including-three-featuring-caitlin-clark-and-fever/|url-status=live}}

For the 2025 season, CBS announced{{cite news |last=Lewis|first=Jon|date= |title=CBS to air two Fever-Sky WNBA games in primetime|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2025/03/fever-sky-primetime-cbs-caitlin-clark-angel-reese-wnba-schedule-announcement/|work=Sports Media Watch|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 21, 2025}} that it would be airing at least two regular season games in prime time involving the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on June 7 and August 9.

Commentators

{{see also|List of current WNBA broadcasters|CBS_Sports_Network#Basketball|CBS_Sports#Notable_personalities_(past_and_present)}}

=Play-by-play announcers=

Anne Marie Anderson{{cite news |last=Bucholtz|first=Andrew|date=June 3, 2021|title=Mispronunciation of WNBA players’ names by broadcasters and in-arena announcers is leading to calls for change|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/wnba/mispronunciation-of-wnba-players-names-by-broadcasters-and-in-arena-announcers-is-leading-to-major-blowback.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Jon Bloom
Krista Blunk{{Cite web |url=https://bigwest.org/sports/2021/10/6/the-big-west-media-personalities.aspx|title=The Big West Media Personalities|last= |first= |date= |website=The Big West|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}
Pat Boylan{{Cite web |url=https://www.patboylanbroadcasting.com/|title=Pat Boylan: Sports broadcaster - Home|last= |first= |date= |website=patboylanbroadcasting.com|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}
John Brickley
Cindy Brunson{{cite news |last=Contes|first=Brandon|date=July 19, 2023|title=Off-camera voice annoyingly kept bleeding into WNBA broadcast on CBS Sports: ‘Are you hearing our director?|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/wnba/cbs-sports-producer-bleeding-broadcast-director.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Lisa Byington{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 23, 2024|title=CBS Sports Names Lisa Byington and Jordan Kent WNBA Play-by-Play Announcers|url=https://barrettmedia.com/2024/05/23/cbs-sports-names-lisa-byington-and-jordan-kent-wnba-play-by-play-announcers/|work=Barrett Media|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Andy Demetra
Paul Dottino
Dick Fain
Marney Gellner
Brendan Glasheen
Michael Grady
Angel Gray{{Cite web |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/angel-gray/|title=Angel Gray|last= |first= |date= |website=ESPN Press Room|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}
Tiffany Greene{{cite news |last=Hatfield|first=Jenn|date=August 5, 2020|title=Three, Two, One, Showtime: Debbie Antonelli Discusses Calling WNBA Games from Home|url=https://herhoopstats.substack.com/p/three-two-one-showtime-debbie-antonelli|work=Her Hoop Stats|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Rahshaun Haylock
Bob Heussler
Alan Horton
Jordan Kent{{cite news |last= |first= |date=July 13, 2024|title=Game Preview: Dallas Wings vs. Los Angeles Sparks – July 13|url=https://wings.wnba.com/news/game-preview-dallas-wings-vs-los-angeles-sparks-july-13|work=Dallas Wings|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Tom Leander
Sloane Martin{{cite news |last=Hanson|first=Mitchell|date=June 27, 2023|title=Sloane Martin Discusses Broadcasting, 2023 Lynx, College Prospects and More|url=https://www.canishoopus.com/2023/6/27/23774881/wnba-podcast-minnesota-lynx-sloane-martin-broadcasting-bally-sports-north-wcbb-prospects|work=Canis Hoopus|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Meghan McPeak{{cite news |last= |first= |date=January 8, 2024|title=Meghan McPeak: Blazing Her Path|url=https://theedgeleaders.com/meghan-mcpeak-wnba-broadcaster-on-blazing-her-path/|work=The Edge Leaders|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Jeff Munn
Jason Ross Jr.
Sean Salisbury
Matt Schumacker
Chris Shearn{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 22, 2019|title=YES Network Becomes Official Regional TV Partner of WNBA’s New York Liberty|url=https://liberty.wnba.com/news/yes-network-becomes-official-regional-tv-partner-of-wnbas-new-york-liberty|work=New York Liberty|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Zora Stephenson
Ron Thulin

=Color analysts=

Kim Adams{{Cite web |url=https://www.kimadamssports.com/|title=Kim Adams, Sports Reporter & Basketball Analyst|last=Adams|first=Kim|date= |website=kimadamssports.com/|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}
Debbie Antonelli
Stephen Bardo{{cite news |last= |first= |date=April 10, 2024|title=Chicago Sky Announce 2024 National Broadcast Schedule|url=https://sky.wnba.com/news/chicago-sky-announce-2024-national-broadcast-schedule|work=Chicago Sky|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Ashley Battle
Tully Bevilaqua
Rushia Brown
Allie Clifton
Jordan Cornette{{cite news |last=Hendricks|first=Maggie|date=May 29, 2019|title=‘I think it’s underappreciated’: Color analyst Jordan Cornette wants to be a Chicago Sky evangelist|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/999323/2019/05/29/i-think-its-underappreciated-color-analyst-jordan-cornette-wants-to-be-a-chicago-sky-evangelist/|work=The New York Times|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Ros Gold-Onwude
Bria Goss{{cite news |last= |first= |date=June 26, 2023|title=Game Preview: Fever Meet Aces Again in Las Vegas on Monday Night|url=https://fever.wnba.com/news/game-preview-fever-aces-230626|work=Indiana Fever|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Sarah Kustok{{Cite web |url=https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-sports/shows/we-need-to-talk/talent/?view=sarah-kustok|title=CBS Sports - WE NEED TO TALK - Talent |last= |first= |date= |website=Paramount Press Express|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}
Lisa Leslie
Nancy Lieberman
Meghan McKeown{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Game Preview: Fever Meet Mercury at Home Sunday Afternoon|url=https://fever.wnba.com/news/game-preview-fever-mercury-230611|work=Indiana Fever|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Ann Meyers Drysdale
Mary Murphy
Lea B. Olsen{{cite news |last= |first= |date=June 2, 2024|title=Game Preview: Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx – June 2|url=https://wings.wnba.com/news/game-preview-dallas-wings-at-minnesota-lynx-june-2|work=Dallas Wings|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}
Raegan Pebley
Carolyn Peck
LaChina Robinson
Leah Secondo
Sheryl Swoopes
Mike Trudell{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=LA Sparks Announce Local Broadcast Schedule|url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/la-sparks-announce-local-broadcast-schedule-2|work=Los Angeles Sparks|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Charli Turner Thorne
Tabitha Turner{{cite news |last= |first= |date=September 8, 2023|title=TUNE-IN ALERT: ACC Football On The CW Kicks Off Saturday, September 9 With Cincinnati Bearcats At Pitt Panthers|url=https://www.nexstar.tv/tune-in-alert-acc-football-on-the-cw-kicks-off-sept-9-bearcats-at-panthers/|work=Nexstar|location= |access-date=}}
Julianne Viani{{Cite web |url=https://jviani3.wixsite.com/julianne-viani-/bio|title=JULIANNE'S BIO|last= |first= |date= |website=JULIANNE VIANI|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}
Scott Williams
Christy Winters-Scott
Elise Woodward
Isis Young{{Cite web |url=https://www.maxxtalent.com/isis-young-bio|title=Isis Young|last= |first= |date= |website=Maxx Sports & Entertainment Group|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}

=Sideline reporters=

Patricia Babcock-McGraw
Tiffany Blackmon{{cite news |last=Young|first=Grant|date=June 17, 2024|title=Caitlin Clark’s Head-Turning Comment About Chemistry with Aliyah Boston Will Catch WNBA’s Attention|url=https://athlonsports.com/wnba/caitlin-clarks-head-turning-comment-about-chemistry-with-aliyah-boston-will-catch-wnbas-attention/schedule|work=Athlon Sports|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Robyn Brown
Tina Cervasio
Katie Engleson
Terrika Foster-Brasby{{cite news |last=O'Neill|first=Robert|date=March 7, 2024|title=Terrika Foster-Brasby announces extension with CBS Sports|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/cbs/terrika-foster-brasby-extension-wnba.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}
Maggie Hale{{Cite web |url=https://maggiehalee.wixsite.com/maggie-hale/about-me|title=About me - Maggie Hale|last= |first= |date= |website=maggiehalee.wixsite.com|publisher= |access-date=December 24, 2024|quote=}}
ShaVonne Herndon{{cite news |last= |first= |date=September 10, 2024|title=Game Preview: Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty – September 10|url=https://wings.wnba.com/news/game-preview-dallas-wings-vs-new-york-liberty-september-10|work=Dallas Wings|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}
Kelsie Kasper
Nikki Kay{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 13, 2024|title=Sparks Announce 2024 Broadcast Schedule|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sparks-announce-2024-broadcast-schedule/n-6093872|work=Our Sports Central|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}
Kristen Lago
Meg McDonald
Dan Nolan
Emily Proud
A.J. Ross{{cite news |last=Hernández|first=Kristian|date=May 24, 2024|title=WNBA Tip-Off 2024: CBS Sports Commits to Women’s Pro Basketball With Full Onsite Productions|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/05/24/wnba-tip-off-2024-cbs-sports-commits-to-womens-pro-basketball-with-full-onsite-productions/|work=Sports Video Group|location= |access-date=December 24, 2024}}
Piper Shaw
Mike Trudell
Kirsten Watson

Viewership

The two games on CBS on June 19 and June 26, 2021 averaged about 427,000 and 567,000 viewers{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGang/status/1409961546990694405|title=CBS Sports' WNBA Viewership Continues to Rise, Delivering the Most-Watched WNBA Game on CBS|last= |first= |date=June 29, 2021|website=Twitter|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}} respectively.

For 2024, CBS Sports enjoyed its most watched regular season ever for the WNBA.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=September 27, 2024|title=WNBA Delivers Record-Setting 2024 Season|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-delivers-record-setting-2024-season|work=WNBA|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}} CBS Sports average 1.10 million viewers. That's up by 86% from the previous year.

The most watched game in WNBA on CBS history is the June 16, 2024 contest between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, which averaged 2.25 million viewers.{{cite news |last=Deitsch|first=Richard|date=June 18, 2024|title=Fever vs. Sky on CBS is most-watched WNBA game in 23 years|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5572947/2024/06/18/fever-sky-wnba-tv-ratings/|work=The New York Times|location= |access-date=December 25, 2024}}