CBS Sports Network

What CBS Sports Network does

CBS Sports Network is a 24-hour U.S. cable and satellite sports television network and a wholly-owned business unit of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA), operating under the legal entity CSTV Networks, Inc. from its New York headquarters. Originally launched in 2003 as CSTV (College Sports Television), the channel was rebranded in 2008 as CBS College Sports Network following acquisition by CBS Corporation and in 2011 as CBS Sports Network; it became part of Paramount Global after the 2019 Viacom/CBS merger. It functions as the cable and OTT home of CBS Sports, complementing the CBS Television Network's broadcast properties — THE NFL ON CBS, BIG TEN ON CBS, NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, The Masters, PGA Championship, PGA TOUR, UEFA Champions League, NWSL and CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR — with year-round live sports including college football and basketball, UEFA club competitions, Concacaf events, NWSL, WSL, CFL and original studio programming. Distribution spans all major U.S. MVPDs (DirecTV ch. 221, Dish ch. 158, Verizon FiOS ch. 94, AT&T U-verse ch. 643) and OTT providers (Hulu, YouTube TV, Sony, FuboTV), with Paramount+ as the streaming counterpart.

The underlying technology is a multi-platform broadcasting portfolio: the linear CBS Sports Network channel; CBS Sports HQ, a 24/7 streaming sports news network; CBS Sports Golazo Network, a free 24-hour soccer streaming network; and digital properties CBSSports.com, CBS Sports apps, 247Sports (college recruiting), MaxPreps (high school), SportsLine (betting/picks/analytics) and CBS Sports Fantasy Games. Production operates to FCC closed captioning and CALM Act (ATSC A/85) compliance standards. As of 2026, the network has secured or extended long-duration rights deals with the Big Ten (through ~2029), Mountain West Conference (2026-27 through 2031-32), Summit League (through 2029-30), Southern Conference (through 2031-32), NCAA (through 2032), WNBA (long-term, up to 20 games/year), Concacaf women's competitions (through 2029-30), Women's Super League (2026-27 through 2029-30), and CFL (final year 2026).

The business model is B2B2C: revenue comes from (i) recurring carriage/subscription fees paid by cable, satellite, telco and OTT distributors — with some operators placing the channel on sports tiers requiring an additional $2-7 per subscriber per month — and (ii) advertising revenue from live sports broadcasts, studio programming and digital inventory. Recent strategic signals point to aggressive rights expansion and record viewership (Masters final round 13.995M, NCAA championship 18.3M, Bills-Broncos NFL playoff 39.6M) alongside a pending structural combination with TNT Sports via Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Name

CBS Sports Network

Legal name

CSTV Networks, Inc.

Website

https://cbssportsnetwork.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CBS Sports Network is a 24-hour U.S. cable, satellite and OTT sports television network and wholly-owned Paramount Global unit, serving American sports fans with year-round live college, NFL, soccer and golf programming distributed via DirecTV, Dish, Verizon FiOS, AT&T, Hulu, YouTube TV, FuboTV and Paramount+.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

National & Regional Sports TV Networks (Linear) (MPABAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Cable Networks (MPABAFAD), National Sports Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAC), Sports FAST Channels & Free Ad-Supported Streaming (MPAKAOAD)

Keywords

• Sports cable network
• Live sports broadcasting
• College sports coverage
• Professional sports rights
• Multi-platform sports media

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Subscriber Fees: Cable, satellite, and telco distributors pay carriage fees to carry CBS Sports Network. Some operators place the channel on sports tiers requiring additional fees of $2-7 per month from subscribers.
2. Advertising Revenue: CBS Sports generates advertising revenue from live sports broadcasts, studio programming, and digital properties including CBSSports.com, CBS Sports apps, and streaming platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CBS Sports Network is a 24-hour cable and satellite television network that broadcasts year-round live sports programming including college football and basketball, UEFA Champions League and Europa League soccer, NFL games, golf majors, WNBA, CFL, WSL, and original studio coverage. The network is the cable home of CBS Sports, supported by companion streaming properties including CBS Sports HQ (24/7 sports news), CBS Sports Golazo Network (soccer), and digital platforms CBSSports.com, CBS Sports apps, and SportsLine analytics.

Product overview

CBS Sports Network operates as a multi-platform sports media portfolio comprising a 24-hour cable network (CBS Sports Network), 24/7 streaming news (CBS Sports HQ), and a dedicated soccer network (CBS Sports Golazo Network). The portfolio includes digital properties such as CBSSports.com, CBS Sports Apps, 247Sports, MaxPreps, SportsLine, and CBS Sports Fantasy Games. CBS Sports broadcasts premium content on the CBS Television Network including THE NFL ON CBS, BIG TEN ON CBS, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, golf events (The Masters, PGA Championship, PGA TOUR), UEFA Champions League, NWSL, and CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR specials. Content is distributed across broadcast television, the CBS Sports Network cable channel, streaming on Paramount+, and digital platforms. The portfolio represents a unified cross-platform sports coverage ecosystem spanning live game broadcasts, studio programming, sports news, fantasy gaming, and betting analytics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CBS Sports: The broader CBS Sports division that broadcasts on the CBS Television Network including NFL on CBS, Big Ten on CBS, NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, and The Masters.

Products and services

• CBS Sports Network
• CBS Sports HQ
• CBS Sports Golazo Network
• CBSSports.com
• SportsLine
• CBS Sports Fantasy Games
• 247Sports
• MaxPreps
• Creator Poker Championship on CBS Sports Network Exclusive two-part television series produced in partnership with World Poker Tour and Creator TV Sports/Sabio Holdings, transitioning from December 2025 livestream format to produced broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most-watched Masters final round in 11 years (13.995M viewers)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Summit LeaguecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 June 2026Four-year extension through 2029-30 academic year, increasing minimum regular season games on CBS Sports Network from 7 to 9. Includes two women's basketball regular season contests and championship title games. Adds digital enhancements to Summit League Network.
• Women's Super League (WSL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 May 2026Exclusive four-year deal (2026-27 through 2029-30) to broadcast WSL live in US. Paramount+ will stream 183 matches per season, with one match weekly on CBS Sports Network. Deal described as 'record U.S. deal' for WSL with potential fourfold increase in rights valuation. IMG negotiated as WSL Football's international media rights representative.
• Canadian Football League (CFL)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 May 202634 games on CBS Sports Network for 2026 American broadcast schedule, final year of current deal valued at approximately $1 million. Additional games available on CFL+ streaming platform. Deal coincides with end of CFL's Canadian broadcast deal with TSN.
• Creator TV Sports / Sabio HoldingsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 May 2026Creator Poker Championship produced in partnership with World Poker Tour to premiere exclusively on CBS Sports Network. Two-part television series transitioning from December 2025 livestream format.
• Southern ConferencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 April 2026Multi-year extension through 2031-32 season, doubling annual commitment from 5 to 10 SoCon regular-season men's basketball games on CBS Sports Network. Ensures sustained national linear television presence.
• WNBAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 March 2026Long-term multiplatform rights agreement for up to 20 regular-season games annually on CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+, beginning with 2026 season. Most WNBA games on broadcast television in CBS Sports history. Includes 'Wnba Tip-Off Show' for 10 matchups.
• TNT Sports (Warner Bros. Discovery)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026Pending merger with Paramount/Skydance to create entity with largest stable of sports rights after ESPN. Combined entity will face critical decisions on NFL, NHL, MLB, and March Madness media rights. Deal contingent on Paramount Skydance acquisition approval.
• ConcacafcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 February 2026Exclusive English-language broadcasting rights to all four Concacaf women's competitions through 2029-30 season. Paramount+ will stream more than 250 live matches, with select games on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Covers W Gold Cup, W Nations League, W Championship, and W Champions Cup.
• Baller LeagueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 February 2026Digital-focused six-a-side soccer competition US launch covered by CBS Sports Golazo Network. All matchdays plus post-season playoff finals to air on the network. League paused operations in Germany to focus on US expansion.
• Fox SportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 February 2026Part of Mountain West six-year media rights deal. Fox retains exclusive rights to football title game and will air 12 regular-season football games plus 20 men's basketball games annually.
• The CW NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 February 2026Five-year deal (through 2030-31) as part of Mountain West media package. CW debuts coverage in 2026, expanding linear TV distribution for conference content.
• KiswecoreTechnology or Integration · 4 February 2026Six-year deal as part of Mountain West media package. Kiswe powers cloud-based MW App transitioning from free to subscription service launching exclusively on Prime Video in July 2026.
• Mountain West ConferencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 February 2026Six-year media rights deal (2026-27 through 2031-32) with CBS Sports, Fox Sports, The CW, and Kiswe. CBS Sports Network will feature 15 football games and 18 men's basketball games annually, with over 150 live events across all platforms. Deal followed Pac-12 exodus as MWC rebuilt its conference membership.
• IMGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational media rights representative for Concacaf women's competitions and WSL, negotiating US broadcast deals on behalf of leagues.
• Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtended distribution agreement to air one-hour broadcast specials during 2026 season, bringing professional disc golf to national audiences. Includes collaboration with JomezPro and Disc Golf Network for production.
• International Swimming League (ISL)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-year broadcast deal secured in 2020 with ISL for professional swimming coverage. ISL features international club teams, condensed events, and season standings designed for year-round broadcasting.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ESPN (Disney): ESPN is the dominant US sports cable network and the direct incumbent that CBS Sports Network competes against for sports rights, advertising, and carriage. ESPN's broad portfolio (NFL, NBA, college sports) defines the category standard CBS Sports Network is benchmarked against.
• NBC Sports (Comcast): NBC Sports operates USA Network and NBCSN, carrying Premier League, NFL Sunday Night Football, NHL, Notre Dame football, and Big Ten games. It is a fellow Big Ten rights partner with CBS Sports and competes for the same college sports audiences and advertising dollars.

Direct peers

• Fox Sports: Fox Sports operates FS1 and FS2 cable sports networks with overlapping college football/basketball rights (including Mountain West and Big Ten packages) and similar advertiser-supported linear sports programming. CBS Sports and Fox Sports jointly negotiated the Mountain West media rights package.
• TNT Sports (Warner Bros. Discovery): TNT Sports operates cable sports networks (TNT, TBS, truTV) carrying NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA March Madness. Pending merger with CBS Sports under the Paramount Skydance/WBD combination would make it a sister network rather than a rival.
• SEC Network (ESPN/Disney): SEC Network is a dedicated college sports cable network owned by ESPN, serving the same niche of conference-specific sports fans as CBS Sports Network does for the Big Ten, Mountain West, Summit League, and others. It is the closest analog for a conference-focused cable sports channel.
• Big Ten Network (Fox/Disney): Big Ten Network is a joint venture between Fox and Disney dedicated to Big Ten conference sports. While CBS Sports carries Big Ten broadcast games, Big Ten Network competes for the same fan base via dedicated conference coverage and is a structural benchmark for conference-network economics.
• Bally Sports (Diamond Sports Group): Bally Sports is a regional sports network group carrying MLB, NBA, and NHL local rights across the US. Despite different sport mix, it competes for the same linear sports advertising and carriage dollars and has faced acute financial distress that illustrates the risks of the regional sports network model.

Regional players

• beIN Sports: beIN Sports operates US-distributed sports cable networks focused primarily on international soccer (UEFA, Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores) and niche combat sports. It overlaps with CBS Sports Golazo Network's soccer focus and competes for international soccer rights in the US market.

Emerging players

• DAZN: DAZN is a global sports streaming service that competes for premium sports rights (boxing, soccer leagues) without a traditional cable channel. It represents the streaming-first model CBS Sports Network is partially adapting to via Paramount+, providing a benchmark for digital-only sports distribution.
• Apple TV+ Sports: Apple TV+ has entered live sports with MLS Season Pass and MLB Friday Night Baseball. As a streaming-first entrant, it competes for premium rights and viewer attention in the same sports ecosystem CBS Sports Network operates in, signaling the strategic shift toward streaming-led sports distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CBSSportsNet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CBSSports
• Facebookfacebook.com/CBSSports
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbssports

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CBS Sports Network