The Professional Bowlers Association and CBS Sports have agreed to an expanded media rights deal. The two-year agreement, beginning in 2026, includes a total of 31 hours of coverage divided among the main CBS broadcast network (with simultaneous streaming on Paramount+) and CBS Sports Network.
PBA Tour coverage has been a fixture on CBS Sports since the 2013 Summer Swing, including the U.S. Open from 2015 through 2019, and live coverage of the PBA Tour Finals since 2017.
“CBS Sports has championed the PBA and our athletes for more than a decade,” said Lev Ekster, president of Lucky Strike Entertainment. “The WSOB is the greatest global platform in the sport of bowling. We are certain CBS Sports will not only deliver an incredible event to bowling fans around the world but continue to elevate the WSOB.”
In the 16 years of the WSOB, bowlers from more than 30 countries have competed and 14 international-born champions have been crowned.
In 2026, CBS Sports Network will air the prelims and championship round of each of the four animal pattern championships. Those standard-title events build toward the PBA World Championship finals, a major title event, which will air live on CBS and Paramount+.
The new PBA Commissioner’s Cup replaces the PBA Tour Finals and will feature a revamped format in 2026. Previously, the top eight players in competition points during the previous two PBA Tour seasons qualified for the PBA Tour Finals. Next year, the field will be opened to all PBA members and a qualifying round will be held in advance of the televised finals. Eight finalists will compete in the televised rounds, which will maintain nine hours of live coverage on CBS Sports Network.
As of early 2023, CBS Sports Network reached 66.1% of homes with cable television program in the United States, according to Nielsen.
The last PBA Tour Finals will air live June 7-8.
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