NEW YORK, January 23, 2006 – Chris Bevilacqua, co-founder of CSTV Networks will take over the reins of the company’s new regional networks division as the President of CSTV Regional Networks, it was announced today by CSTV CEO and President Brian Bedol.
Recently acquired by CBS Corporation, CSTV Networks is the leading digital and cable programming company dedicated to college sports. Plans were announced last year for a 2006 launch of a network dedicated to the Mountain West Conference, when the conference transfers all media rights to CSTV. The company also has plans to develop other regional properties.
“One of our strongest assets is the solid relationship and great support we have with schools and conferences, and Chris has been at the forefront of developing these partnerships, “said Bedol. “I know quite well how challenging it is to grow a network, and launching a new one takes a unique level of creativity, focus and energy. I’m happy that Chris has agreed to take on this role, the critical next step in our company’s evolution. ”
Bevilacqua will continue to lead future rights negotiations for CSTV and CSTV Online. CSTV currently holds comprehensive rights to Conference USA, including football and men’s basketball, and is set to announce a variety of partnerships with leagues and conferences that range from comprehensive media and marketing rights to specially designed broadband and new media offerings.
“CSTV is committed to creating opportunities for our conference partners that maximize their revenue, visibility and exposure as well as their ability to connect with fans, alumni and families across the country, “said Bevilacqua, a former NCAA All-American wrestler and team captain for Penn State who captured a gold medal at the 1983 World Espoir Wrestling Championships. “We are interested in continuing to create new models that best serve the needs of our partners. ”
Prior to co-founding CSTV with Bedol, Bevilacqua served as director, global negotiations and league affairs at Nike, Inc., negotiating sponsorship, television and licensing partnerships with professional leagues and governing bodies, NCAA schools and individual athletes. Prior to Nike, Bevilacqua served as director, corporate sponsorships for The Baseball Network (TBN), a joint venture between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the NBC and ABC television networks. Earlier, he was manager of sports programming for NBC Sports. As an independent associate producer, he was honored with an Emmy Award for his work at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.
CSTV Networks, Inc., now part of CBS Corporation, connects more fans to more college sports than any other company. Its many platforms for programming distribution include CSTV:College Sports TV, televising regular-season and championship events for 35 men’s and women’s college sports; CSTV.com and its network of nearly 250 official athletic sites; CSTV All Access, broadband services providing live audio and video of more than 7,000 events annually; as well as satellite television and radio, in-flight entertainment, wireless networks and more. CSTV was acquired by CBS in January 2006. Further information is available at www.CSTV.com.
Wrestling Gear
