SAINTS AND COX COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION

Thursday, August 11th, 2011      Email Print

SAINTS AND COX COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION
Cox continues to be exclusive telecommunications provider for the Saints, CST continues as exclusive regional sports network for Saints programming

NEW ORLEANS  -- New Orleans Saints Owner/Executive Vice President Rita Benson and Cox Louisiana Senior Vice President and General Manager Jacqui Vines announced today a long term agreement by which the information technology company will continue to be the Saints  “Exclusive Telecommunications Partner” through 2015.

The multi-layered agreement provides exclusive Cox services within the Saints training camp in Metairie, which includes Cox Digital Cable, Cox High-Speed Internet and Cox Digital Telephone. The agreement also enables Cox-owned regional sports network, CST (Cox Sports Television), to continue carrying Saints pre-season games, coach's shows, post game highlight shows, weekly press conferences, magazine shows, Saintsations cheerleader specials and the "Black-Gold" scrimmage.

CST will continue to be the “Exclusive Regional Sports Network Home" of the New Orleans Saints, and Cox Communications will continue its role as "Patron Saints Partner" through the term of the agreement.

"We are happy to announce the extension of our partnership with Cox Communications and Cox Sports Television,” stated Ms. Benson.  “In addition to providing the Saints with the communications solutions necessary to operate a championship-quality team, Cox Communications and CST deliver for our Saints fans throughout the region with first rate preseason game broadcasts and in depth Saints programming throughout the year.  Our entire organization is looking forward to working with Cox and CST to provide meaningful content and premium coverage of our dynamic team."

“Cox Communications is Louisiana proud and our partnership with the New Orleans Saints makes for a winning combination for Saints fans and Cox subscribers, “ said Jacqui Vines, senior vice president and general manager of Cox Louisiana. “We are thrilled to announce that Cox continues to remain the exclusive telecommunications provider for the New Orleans Saints.  More importantly, we are happy to be able to offer Cox subscribers in the ‘Who Dat Nation’ exclusive, year-round Saints programming on Cox Sports Television.” 

Both the Saints and Cox will promote each other across a variety of outlets. Cox will showcase the Saints through its website, billing messages, customer newsletters, cross channel public service announcements as well as billboard and radio messaging. Saints fans attending home games in the Louisiana Super Dome will see Cox Communications signage outside the Dome as well as Cox messaging on the score board, the game day program and the Saints website. The Cox Louisiana system (comprised of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette markets), along with Pensacola and Ft. Walton Beach will enjoy the use of the Saints mark and logo in marketing and promotions throughout the term.

Cox owned CST is a 24-hour, regional sports network that delivers exclusive high-profile professional and amateur men’s and women’s sports television to over 2 million viewers in its coverage area of , including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama  north and central Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Oklahoma.  Cox Sports Television is a part of Cox Communications Louisiana LLC, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the state of Louisiana.

CST will remain the home for year-round Saints programming and continue to televise a minimum of three live Saints pre-season games, The Sean Payton weekly press conference, weekly Saints in the community shows ("Outside the Huddle"), Saints post game shows ("Saints Tonight"), and the Saintsations Swimsuit Calendar Show. CST will broadcast many of the Saints games and specials in high definition and much of the Saints programming will be found on the CST Video on Demand service, "CST Now!."

The Saints and Cox Communications express their commitment to producing new Saints programming that will be available across all Cox platforms including CST and Video on Demand. Cox customers in Louisiana can watch CST in standard definition on Channel 37 and in high definition on Channel 1037. On Demand can be accessed by pressing the “On Demand” on your Cox remote button or by going to Channel 1.

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About Cox Communications:
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for six years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About Cox Louisiana:
Cox Louisiana employs over 1,650 people with an annual payroll of over $80 million. In this region, Cox serves over 511,000 customers with voice, video and data products in the 18 parishes of Acadia, Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. Martin, St. Mary, Vermilion and West Baton Rouge. Information about the products and services offered in the combined Louisiana markets can be found at www.cox.com.