Conference USA Extends CBS College Sports Partnership Through 2016
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Veering slightly from the path of broadcast rights mega-deals cut by ESPN and CBS in recent months, Conference USA has chosen a shorter-term path, extending its contract with CBS College Sports Network through June 2016. The agreement with CBS College is still comprehensive, providing national and regional exposure for football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and the 16 other Conference USA sports, including regular season and championship coverage.
With this deal, CBS College Sports Network retains the rights to broadcast more live C-USA events than any other television network. The agreement also includes video-on-demand, Internet, broadband, and wireless distribution rights for C-USA events. CBS College Sports Network also retains the rights to sublicense games to its affiliate partners throughout the country.
“We are excited to continue our great partnership with CBS College Sports Network,” said Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky. “We have been able to grow together, and we are delighted to announce this extension. The future is very bright for us.”
“Conference USA has been a terrific partner and we’re proud to continue showcasing the best of C-USA on CBS College Sports Network,” said CBS College Sports Network EVP and General Manager Steve Herbst. “Conference USA was one of the Network’s first long-term partners. The deal has been an absolute success, helping both CBS College Sports Network and C-USA grow nationally.”
C-USA and CBS College Sports Network first entered into a partnership for the 2005-06 athletic season. Over the past five years, CBS College has nearly quadrupled its distribution. The Network has broadcast live more than 400 contests and events featuring C-USA teams. CBS College is available across the country via local cable and video providers and nationally on DISH NETWORK (Channel 152) and DIRECTV (Channel 613).