David Berson To Replace Herbst as CBS College Sports President

CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus announced a major change atop the CBS Sports hierarchy today, naming David Berson as the new President of CBS College Sports and and EVP at CBS Sports. Berson will replace Steve Herbst, who will be leaving his post at the end of the year, according to McManus’ announcement.

Berson, who most recently served as EVP, Programming Planning and Strategy at ESPN, will take the helm at CBS College Sports Network on Jan. 3. He will run the day-to-day operations of the company’s fast-growing cable sports channel and will also be involved in all aspects of CBS Sports’ operations.

“David’s fresh perspective and distinguished record of success will be a tremendous asset to CBS Sports’ industry-leading portfolio,” says McManus.  “He has expertise across the many disciplines of sports media and has launched the kind of collegiate sports programming channels that will help CBS College Sports achieve even greater success.  As our portfolio of brands continues to expand and thrive, I’m very pleased to have David by my side and I look forward to his insight, counsel and contributions.”

Berson arrival signals a change in direction for the 24-hour college sports network. Herbst, who has headed up CBS College Sports since 2008, will make way for Berson at the end of the year. “Steve has played a key role in the management of CBS College Sports Network during a time of great growth, helping make it the profitable franchise that it is today,” says McManus.  “We’re very thankful for all his many contributions and have no doubt he will have success in whatever he chooses to take on next.”

Berson comes to CBS with 16 years of experience at ESPN, where he began his career as an intern during college and later worked in various capacities in programming, affiliate sales and marketing and business development.

Berson most recently co-ran ESPN’s programming department and was responsible for programming strategy, scheduling, development and driving audience consumption for all of ESPN’s domestic television networks as well as for ESPN’s digital media platforms. Among his duties at ESPN, Berson had responsibility for developing, launching and managing new businesses, including ESPN’s all-college network, ESPNU, and ESPN’s emerging high school sports business.

He is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.A. in communications / business).

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