SEC Network is on its way

[HudsonGator]

Can't wait:

Commissioner: SEC to announce launch of TV network in mid-April

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Southeastern Conference will announce its latest revenue bonanza in mid-April, commissioner Mike Slive told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday.

"Our focus for now is on our tournament and the NCAA tournament," Slive said. "We will make a formal announcement about the SEC Network in mid-April."

The creation of the long-rumored, much-discussed network will put the SEC alongside the Big Ten and Pac-12 as conferences with their own dedicated cable channel. It is expected to yield tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue for a league that already is making huge profits on its powerhouse football status.

The SEC has been renegotiating its media rights after the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M in 2012. After seeing the massive profitability of the Big Ten Network and the immediate impact of the Pac-12 Network, it was inevitable that the SEC would add its own.

The new network is expected to be a partnership with an established broadcast entity, most likely ESPN. That would be similar to the Big Ten Network deal, which is 49 percent owned by the conference and 51 percent owned by Fox. The SEC already has an extensive relationship with ESPN.

Previous media reports have said the SEC Network is expected to launch in 2014, after the expiration of current third-tier TV rights contracts.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaab--...180504054.html

[gatorfansrule]

The question I have is....how large of a package will I have to subscribe to for this network to be included in my channels? #directv

[nawlinsgator]

Originally Posted by gatorfansrule

The question I have is....how large of a package will I have to subscribe to for this network to be included in my channels? #directv

Yep. If they plan to make money, they'll be getting it from the cable company.
Goodbye Jefferson Pilot games....or whatever the network is called these days.

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by gatorfansrule

The question I have is....how large of a package will I have to subscribe to for this network to be included in my channels? #directv

I suspect that people in FL, LA, MS, AL, GA, TN, AR, MO, KY and SC won't have to pay anything because the SEC schools in those states should make up at least half of college support in each state. It will probably be part of the basic extended package. TX could be part of that as well, but since Texas A&M is only one of several schools, it might be a little harder. Adjacent state schools like NC might have enough SEC interest as well. Hard to say exactly.

My guess is it will be a basic sports channel throughout the Southeast, if not national on DirecTV and Dish.

[AzCatFan]

It depends on whether or not the SEC and DirecTv can reach an agreement. So far, DTV and the PAC-12 have not, and those of us who are PAC fans with DirecTv have become very familiar with firstrow.eu.

Now I understand the SEC is a different animal than the PAC-12, especially when it comes to football. But DirecTv scoffed at the PAC-12, who is only charging a $.95 carriage fee. The way DTV figures is while they still have NFL Sunday Ticket, they still are #1 when it comes to sports programming, and frankly, didn't need the PAC-12 network. Don't be surprised if DTV plays hardball with the SEC Network in a similar way.

[qwghlmgator]

I don't often like her stuff, but Holly Anderson's column in the SI site today had one very funny line. In her suggestions for possible shows for the new network she offered:

"STEP INTO MY G*&^%AMN OFFICE, WITH COACH WILL MUSCHAMP"



http://college-football.si.com/2013/.../?sct=uk_t2_a4

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by AzCatFan

It depends on whether or not the SEC and DirecTv can reach an agreement. So far, DTV and the PAC-12 have not, and those of us who are PAC fans with DirecTv have become very familiar with firstrow.eu.

Now I understand the SEC is a different animal than the PAC-12, especially when it comes to football. But DirecTv scoffed at the PAC-12, who is only charging a $.95 carriage fee. The way DTV figures is while they still have NFL Sunday Ticket, they still are #1 when it comes to sports programming, and frankly, didn't need the PAC-12 network. Don't be surprised if DTV plays hardball with the SEC Network in a similar way.

AzCatFan:

Do you live in Arizona? I would think DirecTV and other providers would almost have to pick up the SEC as a regional network in the states there are teams located, like they carry Fox Sports regional networks.

[AzCatFan]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

AzCatFan:

Do you live in Arizona? I would think DirecTV and other providers would almost have to pick up the SEC as a regional network in the states there are teams located, like they carry Fox Sports regional networks.

I do live in Arizona, and no, carriers aren't required to offer any channel. The PAC-12 Network has agreements with Dish Network and the larger cable companies with a western footprint (Comcast and Cox), plus a few others. The rumor was, before the start of the football season, DTV and the PAC-12 had an agreement,with just the i dotting and t crossing left. Didn't happen, and a week later, an agreement with Dish Network was finalized.

The problem is, DTV just doesn't see enough demand to either eat the $1 and put the PAC-12 on the expanded basic package, or charge customers an extra $1. The NFL is king when it comes to sports, and while DTV has lost some customers out west, Sunday Ticket is still the reason why most sports fans stay with DTV. This is especially true in cities like Phoenix and L.A., where many people aren't native, and want to watch their Bears, Vikings, or Cowboys every week.

Again, SEC football is a much larger animal than PAC-12 football, and the SEC does have a lot more pull. But will it be enough for DTV to justify the addition?

Personally, I'm hoping the SEC Network gives DTV a push to carry the PAC-12 Network. I could see DTV not wanting to carry the Big 10, PAC-12, and SEC networks all nationally, and dividing them up regionally, then allowing those out-of-area to purchase the other college networks as part of the sports package. The only issue here is the Big 10 Network is already carried nationally by DTV, but I believe DTV could work out a new deal with the Big 10.

[HungaryGator]

The big difference is that in the South unlike the Left Coast, the NFL is far and away NOT #1. SEC football is easily #1 when it comes to general interest in the region. I have no doubt the SEC will be able to get terms at least as good as those the Big 10 got.

[atlantagator86]

AzCatFan:

I can see that pro sports would be bigger than college out West but it really isn't in the Southeast. I assume you know that.

Above and beyond the general popularity of the SEC, college sports is much more popular. I think any TV provider in the SEC footprint would have a tough time not including the SEC Network as part of extended basic service.

I think ultimately, what you suggest is correct that You'll probably see them pick-up the major conference networks and include the regional as part of extended basic and the others available as part of the enhanced sports package, not unlike how they handle the Fox Sports regional networks now.

[HudsonGator]

Deal for SEC Network could reach 20 years

By Jeremy Fowler | College Football Insider
March 18, 2013 10:32 am ET

The SEC's deal for its own television channel, to be announced next month, will likely be for between 15 and 20 years, according to sources.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive told Yahoo Sports last week the league would announce the deal in mid-April, once postseason basketball action ends. ESPN is expected to partner with the league.

Eyeing a 2014 launch, the SEC has worked patiently in recent months through what is the layered, complicated business of cable/satellite reach.

The SEC's 14-team footprint reaches close to 30 million homes, plus the network will have access to alumni and college football fans across the country. ESPN has to sell it. To get the content it needs, the league must buy back its regional deals -- including IMG College, Learfield Sports, CBS Collegiate Sports Properties -- and repackage under the channel, Sports Business Journal reported in September. This process cost the Pac-12 roughly $100 million over eight years as part of its own channel.

This is a big venture, and the SEC has taken its time because it wants to ensure the distribution is spot-on and the programming is must-see (i.e. football/basketball games).

SBJ reported the network is expected to have headquarers in Charlotte.

Florida president Bernie Machen told CBSSports.com the league might need until 2016 to fully realize the worth of the deal.

“If it goes big, it will be huge,” Machen said. “If it doesn't, it won't be. I think it will be huge.”

The ACC also has expressed interest in developing its own channel. It's uncertain whether ESPN -- which is already paying Texas a reported $11 million for the Longhorn Network -- wants to cannonball into the conference-network business or stop at the SEC. ESPN currently holds the ACC's long-term media rights under a traditional television deal.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoot...reach-20-years