Big 12 Added CBS Sports Network for Women’s Basketball
The conference has expanded its national broadcast partnerships to include eight games on CBS Sports Network this season.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Basketball
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The Big 12 has secured CBS Sports Network as a third national broadcast partner for women’s basketball, adding eight games to its schedule. These games are sublicensed through ESPN as part of an effort to sync men’s and women’s operations.
Why it matters
This deal allows the conference to leverage its basketball operations under a single strategic umbrella. By expanding national broadcast access, the league continues to capitalize on the growth of the sport following its eight NCAA Tournament bids last season.
The conference now features three national broadcast partners for women's basketball, utilizing 28 total linear broadcast opportunities this season. This follows a previous season where the league successfully received eight NCAA Tournament bids.
The players
Big 12
The Big 12 is a collegiate athletic conference that operates as a member of the NCAA Division I.
CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports Network is a 24-hour cable channel owned by Paramount Global that broadcasts collegiate and professional sports programming.
ESPN
ESPN is a global cable sports channel that manages extensive broadcasting rights for NCAA collegiate athletics.
The details
The Big 12 is integrating its men’s and women’s basketball products under one administrative umbrella to drive synergy. As part of this push, the conference will hold its combined men’s and women’s basketball media days in Kansas City this October.
Timeline
The conference matched its 2008 performance with eight NCAA Tournament bids last season.
The 2018-19 season previously held the high mark for linear women’s basketball broadcast opportunities.
Combined men's and women's basketball media days are scheduled for October 20-21, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This move to increase linear broadcast access mirrors the league's return to the peak competitive form seen during the 2008 NCAA tournament bid cycle. By aligning media exposure with high-level tournament participation, the conference is positioning itself to maintain long-term relevance in the national basketball landscape.
Fans will have access to 28 total linear broadcast opportunities for Big 12 women's basketball games this year. This expanded visibility across three networks ensures more consistent coverage compared to the levels seen during the 2018-19 season.
The takeaway
The consolidation of men's and women's basketball under one media umbrella signals a broader industry trend of maximizing the commercial value of collegiate sports. Viewers should expect more frequent and accessible broadcasts as the league coordinates its media and administrative efforts.
What happens next
The Big 12 will host its combined men's and women's basketball media days on October 20-21, 2026, in Kansas City.
Further reading
For more on conference developments, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsbusinessjournal.
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Does expanded TV coverage for women's college basketball increase your interest in watching the games?
