CBS Network Acquires AFL Network Rights

By R. Thomas Umstead
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

CBS Sports Network announced Tuesday it has tackled rights to the Arena Football League as part of a two-year agreement.

CBS Sports Network, currently in 99 million households, will feature 19 regular-season games throughout the 2013 season, as well as two playoff games, according to network officials. The NFL Network aired AFL games last season.

CBS Sports Network will televise the League's Saturday night game of the week in prime time. The national package kicks off March 23, 2013, with the complete CBS Sports Network/AFL television schedule to be released at a later date.

Broadcast network CBS will air the league's ArenaBowl XXVI championship game on Aug. 17, said the network.  

"We're excited to partner with the AFL and bring this fast-paced, high-energy style of football to viewers," said Dan Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports Network in a statement.  "The AFL has an established fan base and adds to our already robust lineup of football programming."

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.