CBS expands Professional Bull Riders coverage

CBS Sports, a division of US network CBS, has renewed an exclusive domestic rights deal for events staged by the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) organisation in the US.

The length of the deal was not disclosed, but the agreement will run for at least the duration of 2013.

Under the deal, which was agreed directly with the PBR, the CBS Sports Network cable-television channel will show 40 programmes, covering 25 events, next year, including the World Finals in October in Las Vegas. The CBS Sports cable-television channel will also show 10 events during the 2013 season.

The 2013 coverage marks an increase from the 12 events covered on the CBS Sports Network channel in 2012, the first year of a partnership between the PBR and CBS.

“PBR fans want as much event coverage as we can deliver, but they have also told us they want consistency of network and timeslot,” PBR chief operating officer Sean Gleason said. “CBS and CBS Sports Network have proven to be the ideal partners to meet our fans’ desire for extensive coverage.”

CBS Sports Network’s senior vice-president of programming, Dan Weinberg, added: “Extending our relationship with PBR was a priority for us, and we’re incredibly excited to become the exclusive television and cable partner for this strong property that has such a dynamic and loyal fan base.”