CBS Sports Network has come a long way from its early days as the College Sports Network and Classic Sports Network. Though college athletics remain an integral part of programming, this widely available channel now offers much more. From prestigious European soccer leagues to motorsports, there‘s a diverse lineup of sports coverage.
For Spectrum subscribers searching channel guides, herein lies the key details on accessing and watching CBS Sports Network.
A Brief History of CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports Network launched in 2002 as the National College Sports Network before rebranding as College Sports Television (CSTV). The channel focused squarely on collegiate athletics, from power conference basketball to Olympic sports.
Viacom purchased CSTV in 2005, and integrated it into the CBS Sports family by 2008. This paved the way for a broader scope beyond just college sports. However, the channel was still predominantly centered on NCAA sports until a 2011 rebrand to CBS Sports Network.
Since then, CBS Sports Network has aggressively acquired rights for professional leagues and elite global sports properties. However, they still maintain select marquee college deals like Mountain West basketball.
Today, CBS Sports Network blends college and pro sports coverage to provide something for all tastes. Racing, soccer, basketball and niche events ensures a diverse programming lineup.
CBS Sports Network‘s Growth Trajectory
As the media landscape shifts, CBS Sports Network has posted steady viewership gains year-over-year. The 2021-2022 season saw a 9% increase for college basketball coverage. New UEFA soccer rights also brought 175% more viewers compared to 2020 tournaments.
This viewership growth, plus continued strategic investments, paint an optimistic outlook for CBS Sports Network. While streaming remains a major strategic initiative for parent company Paramount Global, CBS Sports Network still provides linear cable value as rights costs escalate across sports.
How CBS Sports Network Stacks Up to Rivals
The competitive landscape for American sports networks is intense. CBS Sports Network infuses their coverage with valuable college basketball and soccer, but how do they compare to rivals?
AT&T SportsNet has seen distribution declines, but they boast select teams in NBA & MLB. Big Ten Network cemented their status thanks to a massive $7 billion media rights deal. NBC Sports Network sadly shuttered operations in 2021 as parent company NBCUniversal pivoted to Peacock streaming.
Against this backdrop, CBS Sports Network holds their own due to delivery efficiency and booking smaller yet emerging sports. Approximately 61 million households have access to CBS Sports Network, comparable to BTN‘s reach. Programming costs are slashed from $1.00 per month to $0.79 recently. Savings get reinvested into new rights deals.
Could Sports Betting Unlock More Revenue?
In 2021, Paramount Global announced a strategic partnership with sports betting operator WynnBET. This deal allows WynnBet branding during UEFA coverage on CBS channels and Paramount+ streaming.
Many experts predict the WynnBet deal represents how media networks will further monetize sports wagering. More states continue passing legislation, opening potential for gambling-infused broadcasts.
If sports betting conversations and in-game wagering data becomes commonplace on CBS Sports Network shows, don‘t be surprised. The WynnBet deal could just be the start.
Where to Find CBS Sports Network on Spectrum
As a widely distributed basic cable network, CBS Sports Network is easy to access for Spectrum TV subscribers. But the channel number varies by market.
Below is a sampling of CBS Sports Network channel locations on Spectrum cable systems:
- Los Angeles – Channel 315
- New York City – Channel 315
- Dallas/Fort Worth – Channel 290
- Tampa – Channel 292
- Charlotte – Channel 315
- Sacramento – Channel 293
To find the channel in your area, utilize the Spectrum channel lookup tool by entering your zip code. CBS Sports Network will generally be included in even basic programming packages.
Streaming provider Spectrum TV Choice packages also include CBS Sports Network nationwide. Plus, the Spectrum TV app allows live viewing on mobile devices and popular connected TV platforms.
CBS Sports Network Programming Highlights
The breadth of leagues and sports on CBS Sports Network makes it harder to characterize than industry titans like ESPN. But a few areas stand out as integral pillars of programming.
College Basketball & Lacrosse
Despite expanding focus beyond simply college athletics, CBS Sports Network retains select marquee NCAA rights. This includes showcasing emerging mid-major basketball conferences:
- Mountain West Basketball: Regular season, tournament and championship
- Atlantic 10 Basketball: 30+ men‘s basketball games
- Patriot League Basketball: Championship and lacrosse
Plus, extensive FBS playoff, bowl and tournament coverage across college sports.
Mountain West: A Valuable College Basketball Investment
In 2019, reports emerged that CBS Sports Network signed a long-term extension with the Mountain West conference through 2031-2032. College sports consultants believe that deal provides CBS Sports Network with around 50 live basketball games annually.
Mountain West doesn‘t sound as enticing for television compared to the ACC or Big Ten. But they‘ve quietly cultivated a strong basketball product in recent years – high-scoring offenses, NBA prospects and competitive top-to-bottom quality. Combined with reasonable rights fees, it‘s a valuable property for CBS Sports Network as power conferences migrate behind paywalls.
Soccer
In recent years, CBS has invested heavily in top-tier international soccer rights, spanning both CBS broadcast channel and streaming platforms. Live matches also frequently appear on CBS Sports Network.
- UEFA Champions/Europa League: Over 100+ annual matches
- Scottish Professional Football League
- Argentine Primera División
This allows CBS Sports Network to showcase elite European clubs plus developing global leagues.
The Multi-Million Dollar UEFA Deal
In November 2021, CBS Sports signed an expanded deal with UEFA for $250 million annually through 2030. This huge investment across CBS/Paramount platforms also unlocks more premium match coverage on CBS Sports Network.
As part of the deal, CBS Sports Network doubled the amount of annual UEFA telecasts. That means 100-125 matches now on the linear channel. Between the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, American soccer fans have tons of exciting European action easily accessible on CBS Sports Network.
Original Programs & Studio Shows
Amidst packed game telecasts, CBS Sports Network airs almost a dozen daily original programs spanning analysis, interviews and commentary.
Some popular shows like We Need to Talk spotlight women‘s sports, while opinion-driven panel shows like Tiki and Tierney dissect the latest news.
Other regular programs range from coaching shows like Inside College Basketball to fantasy football analysis on Fantasy Football Today.
In total, CBS Sports Network studio programming totals over 1,800 hours annually. This supplements the 3,500+ hours of live games and events.
Innovation on the Horizon for CBS Sports
CBS Sports Network still provides valuable linear cable channel exposure for smaller college/professional leagues. However, industry experts predict more technological innovation that blends linear and streaming capabilities.
Look no further than Turner Sports and the NCAA Tournament introducing a "multiplex" concept for the 2022 edition. Four distinct feeds featured different games not aired on the three primary channel feeds.
In theory, CBS Sports could adopt a similar model for overflow conferences they own rights for like Mountain West basketball. Additional digital feeds showcasing live games would provide extra value without limiting coverage.
As 5G connectivity and device penetration improve, a multiplex approach allows BETM (best effort traffic management) so streaming supplements linear coverage. Sports fans win thanks to expanded viewing options.
Less-Publicized Sports on CBS Sports Network
While college basketball, soccer and motorsports dominate public perception of CBS Sports Network, they occasionally dip into other international niche sports:
Aussie Rules Football
The fast-paced, high-scoring Australian Football League pops up every so often on CBS Sports Network. It nicely fills live programming gaps, exposes American audiences to the sport and likely comes cheap as far as rights fees.
Rugby
Various international rugby competitions receive airtime on CBS Sports Network, including shows re-airing completed matches. As rugby continues growing stateside, it represents an interesting opportunity to invest in emerging, affordable rights deals.
Cricket
Similar to rugby, cricket periodically appears on CBS Sports Network as a cost-effective foray into international team sports outside the mainstream. Tournaments like the Caribbean Premier League offer something fresh.
The Outlook for CBS Sports Network
While some cable networks face existential threats from cord-cutting, CBS Sports Network appears well-positioned to thrive. ViacomCBS continues investing to secure rights for valuable sports properties that resonate despite lower public profile.
College sports face their own threats, but marquee basketball conference deals seem secure. Expanded UEFA coverage also appeals to soccer fans nationwide.
Expect CBS Sports Network to stick to their dual college/pro sports model that‘s allowed them to flourish within a challenging sector. More high-profile studio shows and crossover CBS broadcasting opportunities provide further incentives for rights-holders.
The under-the-radar status allows for more experimentation in what sports they showcase. More racing circuits could be on the horizon.
For Spectrum subscribers seeking alternative sports coverage, CBS Sports Network should remain a valuable channel for years to come. Niche sports fans can rejoice at the diverse programming options available thanks to smart investments by CBS.
