Nexstar Media Group’s CW Network will begin offering its live sports broadcasts through the ESPN app for ESPN Unlimited subscribers in early August, the companies announced on Tuesday.
The debut of the CW Sports experience within the ESPN app will occur on August 4, when more than 800 hours of live events become available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers.
ESPN Unlimited costs $30 per month as its own product; the plan is also available to subscribers of some cable, satellite and streaming TV packages without a separate purchase. Programming from ESPN Unlimited is accessed within the ESPN app for phones, tablets and smart TVs and on the ESPN website via desktop and laptop computers.
The launch will see the debut of “WWE NXT” from the CW Network on the ESPN app, with a two-hour program running that week, the companies said. Motorsports coverage will follow later in the week with NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races from Iowa Speedway on August 8 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern and Daytona International Speedway on August 28 at 7 p.m. Eastern.
College football coverage on the ESPN App will begin August 29 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern with New Mexico State at Florida State. CW Sports is scheduled to offer 140 hours of college football this season from the ACC, Pac-12 Conference and Mountain West.
CW Sports launched in 2023 as The CW moved more aggressively into live sports. Its current rights portfolio includes college football and basketball, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, weekly “WWE NXT” programming and premium events, PBR bull riding, AVP volleyball, PBA bowling and the 2026 Arizona Bowl.
The CW holds exclusive rights to all 33 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races through 2031. The network said the series delivered its most-watched season in four years in 2025, with total audience up 10 percent from 2024.
Through the first 19 races of the 2026 season, weekly total viewership exceeded 1 million before rain delays, while average viewership was up 11 percent from last year, according to data cited by the network.
