DirecTV Helps CBS College Sports Network Reach More Viewers

Thanks to an agreement with DirecTV, CBS College Sports Network (CSTV) now reaches more than 30 million viewers. Over the past three months, CSTV has added nearly seven million new customers. The network has received more traffic due to DirecTV’s Premier package, which includes CSTV among more than 200 other channels.

"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, stated. "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."

The partnership comes just a few weeks before March Madness, the 2009 NCAA Tournament, which CSTV will cover in depth. DirecTV will offer a $69 package during March Madness, providing subscribers with access to all games in the NCAA men’s competition.

According to 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.”

“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,” stated CBS News and Sports President, Sean 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.”