PBR ANNOUNCES RIDEPASS – NEW WESTERN SPORTS DIGITAL NETWORK

OTT to Bring Fans More than 150 Exclusive Annual Events in PBR and other Western Sports, as well as Original Series and weekly News Programs

 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) today launched RidePass, a new 24/7 over-the-top (OTT) digital streaming service offering the world’s most comprehensive PBR and western sports content, encompassing more than 500 hours annually of exclusive live event coverage, news and opinion programs, and original and scripted series. 

RidePass, available beginning February 12 via web and mobile apps, will significantly expand fan access to more than 150 live PBR and western sports events which include additional coverage of PBR’s premier and non-televised tours, international coverage of the sport’s top tours in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico, and live rodeo events. 

Additionally, RidePass will debut several original series at its launch, including “Keepin’ It 90,” a RidePass original series featuring two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney and popular western personality Dale Brisby, and “In Color,” a series offering in-depth, intimate conversations with current and past PBR stars.

RidePass will debut on a new mobile app (iOS and Android) and website and will become available later this year via additional over the top services such as Amazon, Apple TV and Roku. RidePass memberships start at $6.99 monthly for full-year subscription.

The network’s first live streaming event will be PBR’s St. Louis Invitational Presented by Express Employment Professionals from Scottrade Center on Saturday, February 17. 

The first streaming rodeo event will be a major showdown to be held at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas in conjunction with PBR’s Last Cowboy Standing, with rodeos on May 5-6. 

“Fans have been asking for more live-event coverage, more access to the sport’s compelling personalities, and additional ways to celebrate cowboy values,” said Sean Gleason, CEO, PBR. “RidePass will allow fans to stream everything from their favorite PBR and rodeo events to original western-themed sports series available nowhere else.” 

RidePass members will have live and on-demand access to non-televised PBR events, including select 25^TH PBR: Unleash The Beast rounds currently not carried by CBS; PBR Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour events; PBR Global Cup and international tours; stand-alone rodeo events; and high school rodeo through a new rights representation agreement with the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA).  Among the NHSRA events RidePass will cover are the NHSRA High School Finals and the NHSRA Junior High Finals. The NHSRA High School Finals, scheduled for July 15-21 in Rock Springs, WY, is the world’s largest rodeo in terms of athletes (more than 1,600) and stock, while the NHSRA Junior High Finals, set for June 24-30 in Huron, SD, is the second largest rodeo in the world with more than 1,100 athletes competing.   

RidePass will provide fans with television-quality live-event coverage including multiple cameras and a dedicated broadcast team providing incisive reporting, immediate highlights and rider interviews.    

The new western sports digital network will also offer live “companion coverage” for all PBR on CBS events, offering fans a unique perspective of the action from PBR insiders on and off the dirt. The next day, members will also have access to full on-demand replays of the televised events.  For more information, visit RidePass.com.

RidePass is a continuation of Endeavor’s burgeoning direct-to-consumer OTT strategy, following the acquisition of UFC and its OTT UFC FIGHT PASS, and digital fashion network Made to Measure (M2M), launched by IMG in late 2015. ~ PBR Media