CBS Sports has signed a surprise media rights deal.
According to a report by CNBC’s Jessica Golden, CBS Sports and Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) have inked a media rights agreement that will see matches, highlights, and player profiles air on CBS Sports Network.
MLTT, which was founded in 2023 as the United States’ first professional table tennis league, will have its first broadcast on CBSSN Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
No financial details of the agreement were disclosed.
“This partnership with CBS Sports is a defining milestone for Major League Table Tennis,” league founder and commissioner Flint Lane told CNBC. “It’s a testament to the league’s energy, talent and growing appeal that captivates audiences. We’re excited to bring professional table tennis to millions of homes.”
Until now, MLTT matches have streamed live on the league’s YouTube channel. The league consists of eight teams that travel the country to compete in matches. It’s unclear if the deal includes any live broadcasts of matches. Sunday’s first television window on CBSSN does not correspond with any matches on MLTT’s schedule.
Table tennis is a popular sport abroad, but has never seen much commercial success in the United States. However, as networks clamor for more live sports — some of the only programming on television that still moves the needle — sports like table tennis have an opportunity to emerge as properties with value.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.