Last December the World Series of Video Games (WSVG), presented by Intel, signed a U.S. broadcast deal with CBS, marking the first time that competitive gaming had been brought to a major television network. CBS was apparently satisfied enough to bring WSVG back for another go. The new broadcast deal will see CBS Sports air extensive coverage of the 2007 WSVG season, which will bring WSVG content into 111 million homes in the U.S. WSVG said the deal "solidifies its position as the most widely distributed and accessible video game competition in America."

The 2007 deal will expand WSVG coverage to four separate hour-long events timed after the three major U.S. events and the finals in Sweden. They will air as part of the CBS Sports Spectacular on Sunday, July 29; Sunday, August 19; Saturday, November 17; and Saturday, December 15. Each episode will feature competition footage for featured titles such as Blizzard's World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Activision's Guitar Hero II and EA Sports Fight Night Round 3. Segments on the competitors themselves will also be included.

The programs will be produced and directed by Matthew Mills of TV By Mills; he oversaw MTV Networks' Gamer's Week 2.0 in 2006. The shows will be hosted once again by sportscaster Greg Amsinger; he previously anchored the WSVG Finals, Presented by Intel on CBS' College Sports Television earlier this year.

"We're delighted to work with the World Series of Video Games to bring competitive video games to a wide audience as part of our award-winning sports coverage," said Rob Correa, senior vice president of programming for CBS Sports. "With popular titles that broaden the appeal of competitive gaming, we think this will be the year that television broadcasting of video games really takes off."

"The World Series of Video Games, Presented by Intel believes that the excitement of video game competition belongs on broadcast network television, accessible to all," added Matthew Ringel, president and commissioner of the World Series of Video Games. "In CBS, we have the perfect partner- the undisputed leader in sports television, with unparalleled reach through its network and the CBS Interactive Audience Network online. We look forward to a great year together in advancing the potential for video game competition on television."

WSVG officials noted that the 2007 deal with CBS was put together with the help of Bob Horowitz and Juma Entertainment, the WSVG's television consultant. Juma is expected to "continue to work with the WSVG on additional media opportunities to expand the WSVG brand through other distribution channels."