Paramount Press Express | JIM ROME JOINS CBS FAMILY CONTRIBUTING ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS

Release

01/11/2012

JIM ROME JOINS CBS FAMILY CONTRIBUTING ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS

Rome To Host New Weekday Program “ROME” on CBS Sports Network

Rome Also to Host New Series on SHOWTIME® and Contribute to CBS Sports

Jim Romehas signed a multi-year deal with CBS and will contribute across multiple CBS Corporation platforms. CBS Sports Network will launch ROME, a new half-hour show airing weekdays at 6:00 PM, ET, hosted by Rome. In addition, he will host a new sports and entertainment series on SHOWTIME, adding to the premium network’s ever-growing sports programming lineup. Rome also will contribute to CBS Sports’ coverage of the NFL, NCAA basketball and U.S. Open Tennis Championships, as well as other select events. Rome, and content from the new shows, will be featured on CBS interactive platforms including CBSSports.com.

Rome will make his CBS Sports debut during coverage of the 2012 NCAA Final Four® with ROME beginning on CBS Sports Network on Tuesday, April 3. The SHOWTIME series will cover a spectrum of sports and entertainment topics and debut in late Fall 2012.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim Rome to the CBS family,” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “Jim is a high-profile, marquee talent who elevates our overall sports coverage and is a perfect fit within the growing platforms of CBS Sports and SHOWTIME Sports®.”

“I am ecstatic to be joining the CBS family,” said Rome. “I’m fired up for the launch of ROME on CBS Sports Network this spring and excited to be collaborating with Showtime — a creative, dynamic network allowing me to host and create something completely original and fresh. Being asked to contribute to CBS Sports on its coverage of the NFL, NCAA basketball, U.S. Open Tennis Championships, as well as other events, is a realization of a lifelong dream. CBS Sports is the pinnacle. And I’m ready to get after it.”

“Jim is a well-known and highly-respected sports personality with a fast-paced, high-energy and opinionated take on the sports world,” said David Berson, Executive Vice President, CBS Sports and President, CBS Sports Network. “We’re developing and launching new content initiatives further strengthening CBS Sports’ relationship with fans. Jim, along with his passionate and loyal following, is an ideal addition to CBS Sports Network.”

“I’ve been a long-time fan of Jim Rome,” said David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. “He has set the industry standard for sports opinion and analysis since his first days on the national scene. He’s never shied away from provocative topics, and I think his brand matches our brand perfectly. On SHOWTIME, he will have a broad platform to blend his unique insight with impactful features on an array of pop culture topics. Rome promises to be an important addition for us as we continue to expand our portfolio of sports programming.”

Rome has hosted numerous television programs over the last two decades and brings his provocative sports news and conversation format to CBS Sports Network. His new show, ROME, will feature news and opinion on the day’s hottest sports stories with rants, debates and guest appearances by some of the biggest names in sports. The show will originate from Orange County, Calif., where Rome also originates his daily, live radio show.

ROME and the SHOWTIME series will be produced by Generate Entertainment in association with dick clark productions, inc.

“We’re excited to partner with CBS and launch the Jim Rome brand across the powerful spectrum of CBS platforms,” said Mark Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer, dick clark productions. “Through the rapidly growing CBS Sports Network and SHOWTIME’s distinguished sports coverage, this deal provides unparalleled exposure to Jim Rome’s dynamic and original personality.”

“I look forward to working with the production team and have been searching for an opportunity to work again with Mark Shapiro,” said Rome.

Rome will continue to host his nationally-syndicated radio program, “The Jim Rome Show,” which airs weekdays from noon until 3:00 PM, ET on 244 radio stations across the country, the highest number of affiliates in the show’s 15-year history.

Previously in his career, Rome served as host of “Jim Rome is Burning” on ESPN, as well as “The Last Word with Jim Rome,” televised nightly on Fox Sports Net. Prior to “The Last Word with Jim Rome,” he spent a two-year stint hosting ESPN2’s “Talk2,” a nightly one-hour interview show. Rome began his radio career at KTMS, Santa Barbara as the “$5 dollar-an-hour” traffic reporter and covered UC Santa Barbara’s sports. He left KTMS for San Diego’s all-sports station, XTRA Sports 690.

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About CBS Sports Network:

CBS Sports Network, the cable channel of CBS Sports, features comprehensive sports programming. The Network covers more than 300 live games annually, showcasing 30 men’s and women’s sports, in addition to a variety of studio shows, documentaries and original programs. CBSSN’s live programming is highlighted by college sports including, teams from the Mountain West, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, Patriot League, the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy, as well as Major League Lacrosse and National Lacrosse League. The Network is also the new home of Professional Bull Riders (PBR).

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers on Verizon FiOS Channel 94 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 643 (1643 in HD) and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 152. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to
www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

About Showtime Networks Inc.:

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND, and the network's authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.