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CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK TOPS 30 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS WITH INCREASED CARRIAGE ON DIRECTV

CBS College Sports Network Elevated to DIRECTV's CHOICE XTRATM Package

 

CBS College Sports Network, through a deal with DIRECTV, has expanded its overall household reach to more than 30 million subscribers. The Network has been elevated to DIRECTV's CHOICE XTRATM package, it was announced today by Sean McManus, President CBS News and Sports.

CBS College Sports Network is now available to a wider DIRECTV audience, providing fans with the broadest and deepest coverage of college sports.  In addition to the CHOICE XTRA Package, the Network is accessible through DIRECTV's PREMIER package and SPORTS PACK.  CBS College Sports Network is available on DIRECTV in standard and High Definition on Channel 613.  DIRECTV was CBS College Sports Network's (then CSTV) first affiliate

  

"The recent growth of CBS College Sports Network to over 30 million subscribers is a direct result of the tremendous teamwork between the people at CBS Sports and CBS College Sports," said McManus. "Together, with the help of our affiliate partners, we are committed to making CBS College Sports Network the premier destination for college fans nationwide."

 

"DIRECTV, through its historic partnership with CBS Sports, has been delivering NCAA® MEGA MARCH MADNESS® exclusively to its customers for many years," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "And as the leader in sports programming, we believe CBS College Sports Network is an important part of our lineup and we look forward to introducing it to more of our customers." 

 

            "We are excited to bring the most comprehensive coverage of live games and events to more DIRECTV customers nationwide," said Steve Herbst, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CBS College Sports Network.  "As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated in our mission to deliver what our customers want most; more live games, more HD programming and the high quality level of production that has always been associated with CBS Sports."

 

            "DIRECTV embraces collegiate sports and we are extremely pleased to expand our partnership by over 40 percent," said Bob Rose, Executive Vice President, Distribution, CBS College Sports Network. "They were our first affiliate and the first to carry our HD product, and now, fittingly, have helped drive our carriage past 30 million subscribers. The timing is perfect for us as DIRECTV is signing up new customers in record numbers."

 

In the last three months, CBS College Sports Network has added approximately seven million subscribers through a variety of deals with cable and video providers.  The Network is currently available to 84 million households.  Since CBS Corporation acquired CBS College Sports Network (then CSTV) in January 2006, the Network has nearly tripled its distribution with the addition of approximately 20 million subscribers. 

 

CBS College Sports Network's regular-season and championship event programming includes coverage of NCAA Division's I, II, and III, showcasing over 25 men's and women's college sports, in addition to multiple NCAA championships. The network holds media and marketing rights for the Mountain West Conference, Conference USA, the Atlantic 10 Conference and the United States Naval Academy.

  

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Media Contacts:

CBS Sports:    

Jen Sabatelle                212-975-4120             jsabatelle@cbs.com

DIRECTV:      

Robert Mercer             310-964-4683             rgmercer@directv.com

 

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