DirecTV, Paramount reach deal to add CBS to MySports skinny bundle

DirecTV just filled a major gap in its sports skinny bundle.

According to a report by Mollie Cahillane of Sports Business Journal, DirecTV has reached a carriage agreement with Paramount that will add CBS owned and operated affiliates in 15 major media markets to its MySports streaming package. The deal will also add the CBS Sports Network cable channel to the lineup. Previously, the MySports package did not carry CBS stations, making it the only major broadcaster not included in the service.

Per Cahillane, the addition of CBS and CBS Sports Network will not change the package’s $69.99 monthly price. The bundle also includes ESPN+ and will include ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer product when it launches later this year. Adding CBS immediately makes the DirecTV MySports skinny bundle one of the best values for sports and news consumers on the market.

The one key omission from the base MySports package is regional sports networks, so fans that want to watch their local teams within the skinny bundle will need to pay a $19.99 per month add-on. Other than that, the only other major sports network not included is the Sinclair-owned Tennis Channel.

MySports was the first sports-focused skinny bundle to hit the market shortly after Venu Sports — the joint venture between Fox, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery — died on the vine. The package offers consumers a slimmed down version of the bloated cable or satellite bundle at a cheaper price.

Comcast quickly followed with the launch of its Sports & News TV bundle just over a week after DirecTV went to market with MySports.

These options are objectively pro-consumer. Prior to the launch of skinny bundles, dedicated sports fans had to pay exorbitant prices for cable packages full of channels they never watched. Now, those same fans can purchase just the channels they want for a lower price.