ESPN and TNT Sports agree to exclusive 5-year deal to broadcast select College Football Playoff games

ESPN and TNT Sports have struck a major deal that will bring select College Football Playoff games to TNT for the next five years. This agreement will see TNT airing two first-round playoff games later this year, with an additional two quarterfinal games each year starting in 2026.

The College Football Playoff has been a huge success since its inception a decade ago, attracting high ratings and generating significant revenue for universities and conferences. With the recent decision to expand the field from four to 12 teams, the stakes are even higher, and the addition of TNT as a broadcast partner will only enhance the reach of the games.

For TNT Sports, this deal represents a significant opportunity to add another major sport to its lineup, particularly as the future of its NBA coverage remains uncertain. The company has a long history of broadcasting sports, including a partnership with Paramount-CBS for NCAA March Madness.

Both ESPN and TNT are excited about the new partnership, with ESPN EVP Rosalyn Durant expressing confidence in the reach and promotion that TNT will provide. TNT Sports Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser also expressed his delight at the agreement, highlighting the opportunity to showcase College Football Playoff games on TNT platforms for years to come.

Overall, this deal is a win-win for both ESPN and TNT, as it allows ESPN to sublicense a subset of games while providing TNT with valuable content for its sports programming lineup. As the College Football Playoff continues to grow in popularity, this partnership is sure to be a success for both networks.