PUEBLO, Colo - The Professional Bull Riders and CBS Sportshave signed an agreement that makes CBS Sports and CBS SportsNetwork the exclusive television home of PBR, beginning in 2013.The agreement extends CBS Sports' deal with PBR, which began in2012 and made CBS Sports Network PBR's primary televisionpartner.
View the 2013 Built Ford Tough Series TV schedule here.
Through this new deal, CBS Sports Network willprovide exclusive coverage of the World Finals from Las Vegas inOctober, which is the culmination of 40 telecasts covering 25 PBRevents in 2013, an increase of 12 telecasts from 2012. In addition,CBS Sports will increase its PBR coverage, showcasing 10 eventsduring the 2013 season. Together, CBS Sports and CBS Sports Networkwill air more than 100 hours of original event. The PBR seasonbegins Jan. 4, 2013 with the Monster Energy Invitational in NewYork. Below is the full PBR televisionschedule.
"Extending ourrelationship with PBR was a priority for us, and we're incrediblyexcited to become the exclusive television and cable partner forthis strong property that has such a dynamic and loyal fan base,"said Dan Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Programming, CBS SportsNetwork. "We welcome the opportunity to continue servicing PBR fansby showcasing this fast-paced, gritty and excitingsport."
PBR Built Ford Tough Series telecasts are producedfor the PBR under a multi-year agreement with David NealProductions, a Los Angeles-based production company led by 34-timeEmmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, who servesas executive producer. Hired when the PBR brought televisionproduction in house in 2011, Neal has enhanced the broadcastincluding the addition of the truth booth, super-slow-motion replaysystem, and a Telestrator, allowing the color commentators todiagram while analyzing rides.
"Extending ourrelationship with PBR was a priority for us, and we're incrediblyexcited to become the exclusive television and cable partner forthis strong property that has such a dynamic and loyal fanbase."
About CBS Sports Network:
CBS Sports Network is the 24-hour cable home of CBSSports. The Network covers more than 350 live games annually,showcasing more than 30 men's and women's sports, in addition to avariety of studio shows, documentaries and original programs. CBSSports Network's live programming is highlighted by college sportsand also features professional lacrosse, Professional Bull Riding(PBR), the sports news and commentary show ROME, the weekly studioshow NFL Monday QB and the Tim Brando Show. CBS Sports Network isavailable across the country through local cable, video and telcoproviders and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish NetworkChannel 158. For more information, and to access the CBS SportsNetwork channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR)
The world's premier bull riding organization, the PBRcelebrates 20 years of competition with the 2013 season. In justtwo decades, the dream of 20 bull riders has become a global sportsphenomenon that is televised worldwide with more than 100 millionviewers annually watching primetime PBR programming on networksaround the world, and nearly 2 million fans attend live events eachyear. PBR has paid out over $100 million in earnings to itsathletes, and 25 riders have earned over $1 million, includingJustin McBride with $5.5 million -- the most of any western sportsathlete in history.