The NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers has announced a multi-year partnership with CBS, allowing preseason coverage on CBS 2.
In a statement issued by the Chargers the deal sees CBS 2 Los Angeles become the club’s ‘Official Preseason Television Home’ as well as a ‘year-round media partner’.
The agreement means that CBS claims exclusive rights to over-the-air English language broadcasts of all Chargers preseason home and away games, excluding games nationally televised fixtures by the NFL, throughout Los Angeles.
Alex Spanos, Chargers’ president of business operations, stated: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with CBS 2 as we open our SoFi Stadium home this year and enter a new era of Los Angeles Chargers football.
“This truly is the perfect partnership on a number of levels. Not only did CBS 2 carry 11 of our 16 regular season games last season but Jim Hill, prior to becoming the sports broadcasting icon that he is here in Los Angeles, is a former first-round draft pick of ours and a beloved Chargers alum.
“When you consider Jim’s increased involvement with the franchise, the year-round coverage, first-rate preseason telecasts, in-depth features, off-field community collaboration and extensive postgame analysis of regular season contests, we simply can’t wait for the 2020 season to kick off and have CBS 2 right there with us.”
As Spanos alluded to, CBS 2’s sports anchor Jim Hill will lead the coverage during newscasts and weekend editions of ‘Sports Central’. CBS will also air a weekly 30-minute Chargers show on Saturdays during the NFL season.
Jay Howell, president and general manager of CBS 2, added: “Everyone at CBS 2 is thrilled to reestablish our partnership with the Chargers.
“The Chargers are the perfect fit for CBS 2 and our viewers, as this new partnership agreement includes preseason game rights that dovetail nicely with CBS Sports’ rights to AFC regular season and playoff games.”
The Chargers had a disappointing showing in the NFL last year, finishing bottom of the AFC West table with a 5-11-0 overall record.
Insider Insight: Los Angeles Chargers’ renewed deal with CBS will be seen as a shining light in what was a disappointing season for the side. Overall, the agreement should benefit the NFL team financially whilst also deepening the fan engagement CBS gains during NFL’s preseason.