State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION to tip off May 16 with the most regular-season games on TV

Rhea-AI Summary

Scripps Sports has announced its 2025 WNBA broadcast plans featuring State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION, which will air 50 regular-season games - the most in television history. ION reaches over 128 million homes across multiple platforms. The season kicks off on May 16 with a doubleheader featuring No.1 draft pick Paige Bueckers' Dallas Wings debut and the inaugural game of the Golden State Valkyries. The broadcast package includes the WNBA on ION Studio Show, featuring host Larry Smith and analysts Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown. Notable matchups include Kelsey Plum's return to Las Vegas, Caitlin Clark vs Paige Bueckers, and the first international regular-season game in Vancouver. The previous season saw impressive growth with a 133% increase in viewership and over 23 million unique viewers.

Positive

• Record-breaking TV coverage with 50 regular-season games - highest in WNBA history
• Significant viewer reach across 128 million homes through multiple platforms
• 133% increase in viewership from previous season with 23 million unique viewers
• First-ever weekly game broadcast studio show dedicated to WNBA
• Expansion of league reach with first international regular season game

Negative

• None.

Insights

Media Business Analyst

Scripps' expanded WNBA coverage on ION leverages growing women's sports viewership, delivering valuable live programming across multiple platforms.

Scripps' expansion of WNBA coverage on ION represents strategic positioning in the growing women's sports broadcasting market. The plan to air 50 regular-season games makes ION the leading TV broadcaster of WNBA content, providing valuable live sports programming that still commands premium advertising rates in today's fragmented media landscape.

The data points are particularly encouraging: a 133% increase in average viewership from 2023 to 2024 and 23 million unique viewers last season suggest Scripps has identified a growth opportunity. With ION's expansive reach across multiple platforms in 128 million homes, Scripps has created multiple monetization pathways for this content.

The timing aligns well with the WNBA's rising popularity, driven by star rookies like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. Securing State Farm as the title sponsor for this programming block indicates the ability to attract major advertisers, a critical factor for broadcast profitability.

Scripps is effectively leveraging ION's broad distribution across traditional pay TV, connected TV, free streaming platforms, and over-the-air broadcasting - a multi-platform approach increasingly necessary in today's viewing environment. Their investment in supplementary content through studio shows demonstrates a comprehensive strategy to build audience engagement beyond just the games themselves.

Sports Broadcasting Expert

ION's WNBA investment capitalizes on women's basketball growth with strategic game selection, comprehensive studio coverage, and multi-platform distribution.

Scripps' ION network is making a significant play in the women's sports space by securing the largest package of regular-season WNBA games on television. With 50 games in their 2025 lineup, ION is positioning itself as the premier destination for WNBA fans, a savvy move considering the league's accelerating growth trajectory.

The 133% viewership increase ION experienced last season reflects broader trends in women's basketball, where audience interest is surging. This growth isn't accidental - ION has crafted a comprehensive broadcast approach with dedicated studio programming surrounding the games, creating a premium viewing experience rather than merely transmitting games.

The broadcast schedule strategically features high-profile matchups that will drive viewership: the debut of No.1 draft pick Paige Bueckers, the introduction of the expansion Golden State Valkyries, and matchups between marquee players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. These games represent potential ratings peaks that can attract casual viewers and advertisers alike.

ION's investment in the first weekly game broadcast studio show dedicated to the WNBA demonstrates understanding that building context and storylines around games is crucial for audience development. The multi-platform distribution strategy leveraging ION's availability across traditional pay TV, connected TV, streaming platforms, and over-the-air broadcasts addresses the fragmented viewing habits of today's sports fans.

ATLANTA, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scripps Sports today unveiled its broadcast plans for the 2025 WNBA season, where ION will set a new standard of weekly coverage for the league by broadcasting the most regular games of the season, 50 in total, as part of its State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight series.

The State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight showcases thrilling doubleheaders from across the league on Friday nights of the regular season. ION is one of the most-watched networks on television and is available on pay TV, connected TV, free ad-supported streaming platforms and over-the-air in more than 128 million homes.

"We're proud to be the home for women's sports and lead the way in the number of regular season WNBA games on television due to our nationwide multiplatform audience reach," said Brian Lawlor, president, Scripps Sports. "From new franchises entering the mix to the establishment and continuation of rivalries, there is a lot of buzz around the WNBA right now, and we are thrilled to have the chance to capture that energy through our coverage." 

Among the WNBA on ION plans and highlights this season:

In the Studio
The WNBA on ION Studio Show, the first weekly game broadcast studio show dedicated to the WNBA, will return in 2025 and will again feature:

• 30-minute pre-game shows including player interviews, highlights from the week's games, spotlights on upcoming matchups on ION and in-depth feature stories from around the league.
• Halftime shows that break down games and provide insights from the studio host and analysts.
• Wrap-up/preview shows in between games.

Originating from Atlanta, the WNBA on ION Studio Show team features award-winning news and sports anchor Larry Smith as host, alongside analysts Autumn Johnson, the NCAA's lead personality covering women's basketball, and Meghan McKeown, basketball analyst for the Sun, NBC/Peacock, Big Ten Network, ESPN and FOX. Jay Hoover serves as studio show producer, with Nicole Denne as executive producer. 

On the Court
The new WNBA season tips off on Friday, May 16, on ION and features a national doubleheader of debuts:

• The first game will see the regular season premiere of Paige Bueckers, selected No.1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the recent WNBA draft presented by State Farm®, as the Wings host the Minnesota Lynx.
• The nightcap features the first-ever game of the league's newest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, as they take on the Los Angeles Sparks.

Other WNBA on ION schedule highlights include:

• A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces hosting Kelsey Plum and the Los Angeles Sparks in Plum's return to Vegas for the first time since the blockbuster trade that sent her to L.A. (May 30).
• Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever facing off against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings in a showdown of the most recent No.1 draft picks as the Fever visit Dallas (June 27).
• The WNBA going international as the Atlanta Dream and newest star Brittney Griner plays Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and the Seattle Storm in Vancouver for the first regular season game ever played outside the United States (Aug.15).
• Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark going head-to-head as Reese's Chicago Sky takes on Clark's Indiana Fever (Sept. 5).

Growth Last Season
The return of the WNBA on ION follows a successful 2024 season where average viewership for the State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight increased by 133% over 2023 and attracted more than 23 million unique viewers across games and wrap shows.

To access complete details about the WNBA on ION, and find ION channel information, visit https://www.ionwnba.com/.

Follow @IONWNBA on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for future updates.

*Sources for data: Nielsen L+SD national panel one-minute qualifier for reach, average program performance 05/14/2024-09/13/2024; FAST – Roku, Samsung TV+, LG, Vizio, Xumo, Plex, Amazon Fire Channels, Pluto, CW and Tablo.

Scripps media contact: Jim Weiss, (770) 722-2142, Jim.Weiss@scripps.com

About ION
A leading general entertainment network, ION's lineup features major cable and broadcast shows, original series, live sports and special event programming. ION is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in more than 40 markets.

About Scripps Sports
Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach. Scripps Sports currently has partnerships with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, the new Utah Hockey Club, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and the NCAA's Big Sky Conference. Scripps Sports is a division of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a Fortune 1000 American media company.

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SOURCE SCRIPPS

FAQ

How many WNBA games will ION broadcast in the 2025 season?

ION will broadcast 50 regular-season WNBA games in 2025, setting a new record for the most regular-season games on television.

When does the 2025 WNBA season start on ION?

The 2025 WNBA season on ION begins May 16 with a doubleheader featuring Dallas Wings vs Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries vs Los Angeles Sparks.

What was the viewership increase for WNBA games on ION in 2024?

The State Farm WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION saw a 133% increase in average viewership in 2024 compared to 2023, attracting over 23 million unique viewers.

Who are the hosts and analysts for the WNBA on ION Studio Show?

The WNBA on ION Studio Show features Larry Smith as host, with analysts Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown.

Which WNBA game will make history as the first international regular season game?

The Atlanta Dream vs Seattle Storm game in Vancouver on August 15, 2025, will be the first WNBA regular season game played outside the United States.