CBS College Sports Moves Up To DirecTV's Choice Xtra Package
CBS College Sports has expanded its footprint with DirecTV, moving up to the satellite leader's Choice Xtra package.
Through the deal, terms of which were not disclosed, CBS College Sports will add another 3 million to its subscriber rolls in lifting its count to more 30 million overall.
In addition to Choice Xtra, the network - on channel 613 - remains accessible in both standard and high-definition through the provider's Premier Package and Sports Pack.
Over the last three months, CBS College Sports has added some 7 million subscribers through a variety of deals with cable and video providers. Since CBS Corp. acquired CBS College Sports, then known as CSTV in January 2006, the service has nearly tripled its distribution with the addition of approximately 20 million subscribers.
DirecTV was the first affiliate of the network.
"DirecTV embraces collegiate sports and we are extremely pleased to expand our partnership by over 40%," CBS College Sports executive vice president of distribution Bob Rose said in a statement. "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."
Noted DirecTV executive vice president of content strategy and development Derek Chang: "DirecTV, through its historic partnership with CBS Sports, has been delivering NCAA Mega March Madness exclusively to its customers for many years. 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."
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