CSTV networks

About CSTV networks

CSTV Networks, initially launched as National College Sports Network in 2002 and rebranded as College Sports Television (CSTV) in 2003, carved a specific niche in the sports media landscape by dedicating its programming entirely to collegiate athletics. The company was co-founded by Brian Bedol, Stephen Greenberg, and Chris Bevilacqua. Bedol, who served as CEO, and Greenberg had prior entrepreneurial success, having co-founded Classic Sports Network, which they later sold to ESPN. Bevilacqua, a former All-American wrestler at Penn State and a Nike executive, brought deep connections within the college sports and media rights world.

The business operated on a multi-platform model, establishing a comprehensive media presence focused on college sports. Its primary revenue streams included cable and satellite television subscriptions, advertising, and online subscription services. The core television product was a 24-hour cable channel that televised regular season games, championship events, and original programming across 30 different men's and women's sports. Beyond the linear network, CSTV developed a significant digital footprint through CSTV.com. This online portal served as a hub for college sports news and also managed a network of nearly 250 official athletic websites for various colleges and universities. A key digital offering was the "CSTV All Access" subscription, which provided live and on-demand audio and video streaming of thousands of collegiate sporting events annually, a precursor to modern sports streaming packages.

This integrated approach of combining a traditional cable network with a robust digital platform allowed the company to reach a wide audience of college sports fans. The strategy proved successful, attracting significant investment and distribution. By late 2004, CSTV had secured distribution agreements with the five largest cable operators and DirecTV. This rapid growth culminated in its acquisition by CBS in November 2005 for $325 million. Following the acquisition, the network was rebranded first as CBS College Sports Network in 2008 and later as CBS Sports Network in 2011, shifting to a broader sports focus while retaining a strong emphasis on college athletics. Bedol remained to oversee the transition before departing in 2008 to pursue other ventures.