CBS Sports Network has reached a multiyear television agreement with Professional Bull Riders (PBR) beginning in 2012, it was announced today by David Berson, Executive Vice President, CBS Sports and President, CBS Sports Network and PBR President & COO Sean Gleason. The agreement makes CBS Sports Network the primary television partner of PBR with 27 live events televised throughout the year.

CBS Sports Network will air over 55 hours of live event programming each year, beginning on Saturday, Jan. 7 with the Madison Square Garden Invitational from New York City. On Monday, Jan. 9, the Network debuts an exclusive weekly highlight program that will continue each Monday throughout the season. As part of the deal, CBS Sports expands its PBR coverage, broadcasting eight one-hour shows on the CBS Television Network.

"Our new partnership with PBR is a milestone in the evolution of CBS Sports Network," said Berson. "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."

"CBS Sports Network is an ideal network partner for PBR," Gleason said.  "Our fans wanted more live programming, consistent timeslots and continued enhancements in how the events are presented on television.  CBS Sports Network is an aggressive, growing sports network that allows PBR to deliver against all of those objectives."

The agreement makes CBS Sports Network the official sales agent of the PBR across all television inventory available to PBR through various network agreements.  The Network will serve as sales representative to both official PBR sponsors and general advertisers, providing these partners with integrated sponsorship and media packages.

PBR will be announcing additional television partners for select performances from the Built Ford Tough Series in the coming days.  The full CBS Sports Network PBR programming schedule is included below.

"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."

Built Ford Tough Series telecasts are produced for the PBR under a multi-year agreement with David Neal Productions, a Los Angeles-based production company led by 34-time Emmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, who serves 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 color commentator. The color commentators will be 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. The behind-the-chutes reporters will be Leah Garcia, who has worked for the PBR since 2004, and Marty Snider, who has covered PBR events, including the Built Ford Tough World Finals, each of the last two years.

CBS Sports Network, a division of CBS Sports, is the original 24-hour cable network dedicated to college sports. CBS Sports Network covers more than 300 live games annually, showcasing 30 men's and women's sports, in addition to a variety of studio shows, documentaries and original programs. The Network's live programming is highlighted by teams from the Mountain West, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, Patriot League, the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy, as well as Major League Lacrosse, National Lacrosse League. 

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and teleco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 152. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

The PBR is the world's premier bull riding organization. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the PBR. In just two decades, the dream of 20 bull riders has become a global sports phenomenon that is televised worldwide and pays out over $100 million in earnings to its athletes. More than 100 million viewers annually watch over 400 hours of primetime PBR programming on networks around the world including CBS and CBS Sports Network. The PBR has awarded over $100 million in prize money and 21 riders have earned over $1 million, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million -- the most of any western sports athlete in history. Nearly two million fans attend Built Ford Tough Series and Touring Pro Division events each year. For more information on the PBR, go to www.pbr.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamPBR and http://twitter.com/TEAMPBR.