CBS Sports Network is about to get rank with the Professional Bull Riders.
The cable network has saddled up a multiyear agreement with the PBR that will make it the primary TV partner of the circuit. CBS Sports Network will air 27 live events and over 55 hours of event programming, coming out of the chute on Saturday, Jan. 7 with the Madison Square Garden Invitational in Manhattan at the "world's most famous arena."
Under the pact, which also encompasses an exclusive weekly highlight program that will air on CBS Sports Network on Mondays throughout the season, CBS Sports also will expand its PBR coverage with eight one-hour shows on the broadcast network.
The PBR agreement marks CBS Sports Network's second rights deal in as many months, following the service's 2012 rights pact with Major League Lacrosse.
Moreover, the PBR agreement, financial terms of which were not disclosed, makes CBS Sports Network the official sales agent for all of the TV inventory available to the circuit through various network agreements. CBS Sports Network will serve as sales representative to both official PBR sponsors and general advertisers, providing partners with integrated sponsorship and media packages.
"Our new partnership with PBR is a milestone in the evolution of CBS Sports Network," said David Berson, executive vice president, CBS Sports and president of CBS Sports Network, in announcing the pact. "Bull riding is a rapidly growing sport and we're thrilled to begin a new long term relationship with PBR and its passionate fan base. This deal helps us reach a broader audience as we continue to grow the Network and significantly expand our live programming."
The PBR, whose events have been airing nationally on Versus and NBC Sports, said it expects to announce additional television partners for select performances from the Built Ford Tough Series in the coming days.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate that NBC Sports Group will also return to the ring with a PBR package.
"Beyond delivering programming to PBR fans when and how they want it, the relationship with CBS Sports Network delivers tremendous value to our corporate partners and advertisers," said Gleason. "We're in a position to offer integrated sponsorship and advertising packages for the first time in our history. We're confident our unique relationship with CBS Sports Network will result in a higher return on investment for all of our valued partners."
The Built Ford Tough series telecasts are produced for the PBR under a multiyear agreement with David Neal Productions, led by the Emmy and Peabody-winner David Neal as executive producer.
Returning for his sixth season as the play-by-play broadcaster is Craig Hummer, who will be joined each week by one member of this roster of color commentators: nine-time world champion and PBR co-founder Ty Murray; two-time PBR world champion Justin McBride; and PBR Ring of Honor member J.W. Hart. Leah Garcia and Marty Snider will serve as the behind-the-chutes reporters.
2012 CBS Sports Network PBR Progrmming Schedule (All Times Eastern)
DATE EVENT AND LOCATION TIME
Jan. 7 (Sat) Madison Square Garden Invitational 11:00 PM-1:00 AM
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Jan. 15 (Sun) Anaheim Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Jan. 22 (Sun) Portland Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Rose Garden, Portland, OR
Jan. 29 (Sun) Sacramento Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA
Feb. 4 (Sat) Baltimore Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD
Feb. 12 (Sun) Oklahoma City Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
March 18 (Sun) Glendale Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Jobbing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ
March 25 (Sun) Ty Murray Invitational 12:00-1:00 (CBS)
The Pit, Albuquerque, NM
March 25 (Sun) Ty Murray Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
The Pit, Albuquerque, NM
April 1 (Sun) Kansas City Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
April 15 (Sun) Indianapolis Invitational TBD (CBS)
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
April 15 (Sun) Indianapolis Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
April 22 (Sun) Des Moines Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA
April 28 (Sat) Mohegan Sun 2:00-3:00 PM (CBS)
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
April 29 (Sun) Mohegan Sun 6:00-8:00 PM
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
May 5 (Sat) Billings Invitational 1:00-2:00 PM (CBS)
Rimrock Arena, Billings, MT
May 6 (Sun) Billings Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Rimrock Arena, Billings, MT
May 13 (Sun) Boise Invitational TBD (CBS)
Idaho Center, Boise, ID
May 13 (Sun) Boise Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Idaho Center, Boise, ID
May 20 (Sun) Pueblo Invitational TBD (CBS)
Events Center, Pueblo, CO
May 20 (Sun) Pueblo Invitational 6:00-8:00 PM
Events Center, Pueblo, CO
Aug. 10 (Fri) Tulsa Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
Aug. 17 (Fri) San Antonio Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Aug. 24 (Fri) Location TBD 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
Aug. 31 (Fri) WinStar World Casino Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
WinStar World Casino, Thackerville, OK
Sept. 7 (Fri) Nashville Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Sept. 14 (Fri.) Springfield Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
JQH Arena, Springfield, MO
Sept. 21 (Fri) Tampa Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL
Sept. 28 (Fri) Greensboro Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Oct. 5 (Fri) Philadelphia Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 12 (Fri) Columbus Invitational 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Oct. 24 (Wed) PBR World Finals: Round 1 9:00-11:30 PM
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
Oct. 25 (Thurs) PBR World Finals: Round 2 9:00-11:30 PM
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
