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CBS Execs Hoping To Use New Jim Rome Show To Push Distribution For Cable Net

CBS execs see tonight's launch of Jim Rome's new show, "Rome," on CBS Sports Network as a big step in the cable channel's growth. It has been one year since CBS changed the name of the network from CBS College Sports. During that time, the channel has doubled the number of hours of live programming and has seen its distribution rise to 45 million U.S. homes. A year ago, the channel's distribution was in the mid-30 million home range. CBS Sports Exec VP & Network President David Berson said, "This is a huge development for us. One of the main priorities we set out to accomplish a year ago was to significantly grow the amount of live daily sports programming." The channel started that initiative by simulcasting Tim Brando's radio show last August. It is now looking to use "Rome" as another way to create relevant and timely programming for the network. Berson: "When we were looking to identify who we were going to be building around for the next phase of our growth, Rome was at the top of our list. We literally had a list." The half-hour show launches tonight at 6:00pm ET. "Rome" will open with a fast-paced look at the top sports stories of the day. Berson said, "It will be the things you need to know from that day in sports." The host will not conduct daily interviews, but will instead interview newsmakers in around half his shows. Each episode will feature a panel discussion with columnists and bloggers, like CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel, SI.com's Will Carroll and FoxSports.com's Jason Whitlock and Peter Schrager. Berson: "Jim's style is high-energy, passionate and topical." The cable channel has been a part of every discussion CBS Sports has had with rights holders. CBS is still exploring live sports rights for the channel, such as this week's live Monday-Wednesday coverage from Augusta at The Masters. Berson added, "We have come a really long way in the past year. But we're still very much at the beginning and we still have a long way to go" (John Ourand, THE DAILY).

BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth wrote Rome is a "transformative figure" for CBS Sports Network's plans. Berson said, "We do see him as a real game-changer, a high-profile personality who'll give our network a consistent, relevant presence every day." Rome said, "The rehearsals have been going well, and it's really a different show" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/30). He added, "I'm still going to rant, do interviews and put panels together. What will be different is that if there's not a good interview, we won't be locked into doing one" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/30). More Rome: "I wouldn't leave (ESPN) if I wasn't going to do a different version of the show. I think it's leaner and meaner, and I trimmed some of the fat. It's got to be a better show, to look different and feel different, and it's got to have better content. ... What's different about it is getting the new faces out there. I want to use some bloggers as opposed to guys who've been in the business a long, long time who are familiar already. I want to break some new talent, and get that energy on the show" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 4/3).

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