PBR Secures Satellite TV Partner in Dish
DISH Network will be the Official Satellite Television Partner of the PBR. The partnership includes exclusive satellite TV sponsorship of the PBR's remaining 2009 Build Ford Tough Tour stops and the 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals as well as all events on the 2010 BFTS tour which will be available to satellite TV subscribers only on DISH Network.
"Millions of PBR fans are deeply concerned about the uncertain future of VERSUS' availability on DirecTV," said Randy Bernard, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PBR. "We have heard from tens of thousands of them and have been working diligently to provide options and alternatives.
Many avid PBR fans feared being left in the cold by DirectTV's dispute with VERSUS over carrying costs, which led DirecTV to pull the Versus network off its satellite service on September 1st. PBR is in year three of a four year deal with Versus. On the day that DirecTV dropped Versus, PBR CEO Randy Bernard issued this statement to troubled PBR fans.
This call to action video from Versus to its customers pretty much sums up the dispute:
"DISH Network is not only committed to carrying VERSUS coverage of PBR events well into the future, they are making an investment in the fans of the sport. They have expressed a genuine desire to earn the trust and loyalty of PBR fans by providing more content, not less, and incentivizing PBR fans for choosing their service."
DISH Network's sponsorship of the PBR will span all regular-scheduled events on the PBR's elite Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) tour including all of the 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals. Through the partnership, PBR fans will enjoy access to new and enhanced services on pbrnow.com such as real-time online scoring, a live blog and chat, and behind-the-scenes podcasts from each event featuring the most popular riders on tour. Additionally, "PBR Now" - a new weekly PBR news program - will be available on RFD-TV every Thursday, giving PBR fans the opportunity to keep up with riders and events.
"DISH Network is proud to offer the most complete coverage of professional bull riding events in satellite TV, including every broadcast of the Built Ford Tough Series in high definition," said Ira Bahr, Chief Marketing Officer for DISH Network. "We recognize the devotion PBR fans have to the sport of bull riding, which is why all of our customers are receiving VERSUS, the home of PBR, for free with DISH Network through the month of November."
New DISH Network customers can get a special offer when they order today by calling 1-888-538-8459 and mentioning the code "PBR."
