DISH Network® is the Exclusive Satellite TV Partner of The Professional Bull Riders, Inc.

By Courtesy of the PBR
Posted Friday, October 9, 2009

NEW YORK, N.Y./ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (October 7, 2009) - The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) and DISH Network, L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), announced today that 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 BFTS 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 at the current time.

“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.

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 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.”

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. Fans will enjoy access to new and enhanced services on www.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 their favorite riders and events.

New DISH Network customers will enjoy a special offer when they order today by calling 1-888-538-8459 and mentioning the code “PBR.”

For more information on the new partnership between PBR and DISH Network, please visit www.pbrnow.com or www.dishnetwork.com. For any media requests for PBR, please contact Katharine Sherrer at 719.242.2800 ext. 3372 and for DISH Network, please contact Robin Zimmerman at 720.514.5351 or at press@dishnetwork.com.

All roads are leading to Las Vegas and you don’t want to miss out on any of the action at the 2009 Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas, Nev. The world-class event will take place on Oct. 30-Nov 1 and Nov. 5-8 at the Thomas & Mack Center---get your tickets NOW at 866.PBR.SHOW or unlvtickets.com!