PUEBLO, Colo (October 18, 2018) – PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and AIM (Active Interest Media), which produces leading consumer and trade events, websites, magazines, and films/TV shows, today announced a partnership in which PBR will represent TV and digital media rights for two AIM championship series in western sports along with a new original program in development.
PBR will represent the TV and digital rights for AIM’s Equine Group, including the World Series of Team Roping (WSTR), United States Team Roping Championship (USTRC), and American Cowboy TV, a new original series slated to debut in 2019.
“We are excited to leverage the expertise of PBR and the greater Endeavor network to contribute to growth for AIM and the sport of team roping, broadening access and storytelling through digital, streaming and TV coverage,” said Tom Winsor, SVP Equine, AIM. “This new relationship will benefit nearly 40,000 Team Roping competitors through expanded exposure.”
In addition to selling the media rights of the World Series of Team Roping and United States Team Roping Championship to broadcast and cable networks, PBR will fully cover the upcoming 2018 events on RidePass, its western sports digital network launched earlier this year.
RidePass will carry every round of both the USTRC National Finals scheduled for October 21-27 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, featuring 11,000 teams, making it the largest roping event in the world, and as well as the WSTR Finale XIII on December 9-15 at South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. With 4,000 vying for a purse exceeding $11 million, awarding more than $1 million each day of competition, the WSTR Finale is the richest event in western sports.
The WSTR and USTRC will be offered on RidePass as a combination package for $19.99. Fans can also purchase a $49.99 annual RidePass membership, which includes coverage of WSTR and USTRC, INFR (Indian National Finals Rodeo), premier rodeo events from WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance), and the PBR World Finals.
“Our goal with RidePass is to be the place for fans to watch the best athletes in western sports while also discovering their unique stories,” said Sean Gleason, CEO, PBR. “Adding to the RidePass lineup World Series of Team Roping–the richest event in western sports–along with the United States Team Roping Championship is a major coup for our growing network while helping grow rodeo sports and provide these western sports athletes more opportunities.”
Earlier this year, PBR began representing the media rights for the NHRSA (National High School Rodeo Association), WCRA and Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo. Coverage for these organizations has increased with RidePass carrying the $500,000 WCRA Rodeo in Las Vegas in May; the NHSRA Texas State Final from Abilene, TX.; the National Junior High Finals Rodeo from Huron, SD in June; and the National High School Finals Rodeo from Rock Springs, WY along with Days of ‘47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo from Salt Lake City in July.
About RidePass
Available at RidePass.com and via Apple and Android mobile apps, RidePass is the new western sports digital streaming network featuring more than 100 annual live western sports and PBR events, original series, news, highlights and rider interviews. Since launching in February, RidePass has carried over 500 hours of western sports programming. RidePass is Endeavor’s third OTT, following Made to Measure (M2M) and UFC Fight Pass. To join, visit RidePass.com or download the RidePass app in the iTunes App store (iOS) or Google Play store (Android).
About AIM
One of the world’s largest enthusiast media companies, Active Interest Media (aimmedia.com) produces leading consumer and trade events, websites, magazines, and films and TV shows that reach 40 million readers, fans, and attendees in 85 countries. AIM powers North America’s most important events and education for fitness professional through our IDEA Fit division. The company’s five divisions—the Equine Network, Home Group, Healthy Living Group, Marine Group, and Outdoor Group—also operate thriving B2B platforms, online universities, and retail events. Core competencies include lead generation (through our Qualified Buyer Program), marketing services (through our in-house agency, Catapult Creative Labs), and video production. Warren Miller Entertainment is the most successful adventure-film company in history, and AIM Studios is a seven-person unit dedicated to digital video.
About the PBR
The world’s premier bull riding organization began as a dream of 20 bull riders 25 years ago and now operates in five countries. On its elite tour, the organization features the top 35 bull riders in the world and the top bulls in the business. The televised 25 PBR: Unleash The Beast, along with the PBR Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour (RVT), the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD) and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico have paid nearly $184 million in earnings to its athletes. Thirty bull riders have earned more than $1 million, including two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney who is the top-earning athlete in Western sports history with more than $7.2 million in career earnings. PBR is part of the Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG) network. For more information on the PBR, go to PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Instagram at Instagram.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.
For AIM: Denny Gentry, denny@wstroping.com, (505) 280-2402
For Endeavor | PBR: Andrew Giangola,Andrew.giangola@img.com, (646) 871-2402
