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ESPN and the Southeastern Conference revealed their plans for an SEC Network, with coverage beginning in August 2014. Here is the official release from ESPN:
The Southeastern Conference and ESPN have signed a 20-year agreement through 2034 to create and operate a multiplatform network, which will launch in August 2014, it was announced today by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive and ESPN President John Skipper. The new network and its accompanying digital platform will air SEC content 24/7 including more than 1,000 events in its first year.
The network will televise approximately 45 SEC football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games, and events from across the SEC’s 21 sports annually. Programming will also include studio shows, original content such as SEC Storied, spring football games, signing day and pro days coverage. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be offered exclusively on the digital platform. The network and its digital extensions will connect with each SEC institution and create opportunities for each school to produce and develop content.
“The SEC Network will provide an unparalleled fan experience of top quality SEC content presented across the television network and its accompanying digital platforms,” stated Slive. “We will increase exposure of SEC athletics programs at all 14 member institutions, as we showcase the incredible student-athletes in our league. The agreement for a network streamlines and completes an overall media rights package that will continue the SEC’s leadership for the foreseeable future.” [...]
As part of the agreement, ESPN will now oversee the SEC’s official Corporate Sponsor Program. In addition, ESPN and the SEC also agreed to extend their existing media rights agreement through 2034. ESPN has televised the SEC since 1982. ESPN’s existing networks present more than 1,600 hours of SEC action each year. The new network will focus exclusively on the SEC and add another outlet to deliver sports fans more SEC content than ever.
AT&T U-verse® has been secured as the network’s first national distributor. AT&T U-verse is the fastest growing TV provider in the U.S. and their subscribers will have access to an unprecedented amount of SEC content across all platforms. Subscribers receiving the live linear network via a multichannel subscription will also have access to the network on PCs, tablets, smartphones and select gaming devices like Xbox. Additional games and coverage will be available through an authenticated digital offering. Fans looking to learn more about how to get the SEC Network can visit GetSECNetwork.com for more information.
“We are pleased to be involved with the SEC and ESPN at the very beginning of this great alliance,” said Jeff Weber, President of Content and Advertising Sales, AT&T. “As the fastest growing and most advanced pay TV service, we want to bring our customers the highest value and most compelling product that we possibly can. Access to the SEC Network, across multiple platforms, will only increase the demand for U-verse.”
ESPN’s Justin Connolly, formerly senior vice president, ESPN affiliate sales and marketing, will oversee the network’s day-to-day operations. The network will originate from ESPN’s Charlotte, N.C., offices with additional staff located at the company’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters. Staff announcements and additional details will be made in the coming months.
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Some Twitter updates from today's SEC/ESPN press conference:
The new SEC Network logo. twitter.com/jonsol/status/…
— Jon Solomon (@jonsol) May 2, 2013
Representing #Mizzou at today's SEC Network announcement in Atlanta: AD Mike Alden, Deputy AD Doug Gillin, Gary Pinkel, Frank Haith, (more)
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 2, 2013
Also in Atlanta for #Mizzou: Chris Koukola (assistant to Chancellor Deaton) & media relations director Chad Moller
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 2, 2013
At the SEC thing. Conference already losing its soul: twitter.com/edsbs/status/3…
— edsbs (@edsbs) May 2, 2013
Real action at the SEC announcement will be when one coach flips another coach's commit while standing on stage together.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) May 2, 2013
ESPN has extended its media rights deal with the SEC through 2034 per John Skipper. Longest agreement in all of sports.
— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) May 2, 2013
Mike Slive officially announces the SEC Network, which he previously called "Project X". twitter.com/SethEmerson/st…
— Seth Emerson (@SethEmerson) May 2, 2013
Why do all those SEC coaches have name tags?
— TR Robertson (@trripleplay) May 2, 2013
SEC Commish Mike Slive: "Today we say good bye to Project X and hello, SEC Network."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 2, 2013
1,000 live sporting events each year, with 450 on the network and the rest digital. 45 games a year, 3 SEC games a week.
— SBN College Football (@SBNationCFB) May 2, 2013
I can confirm at this time that all football coaches are wearing socks. twitter.com/Nastinchka/sta…
— Holly (@Nastinchka) May 2, 2013
Mike Slive quoted Shakespeare and others at Media Days. Dropping some Aesop here already.
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) May 2, 2013
Mike Slive drops an Aesop quote. Best Grandpa ever.
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) May 2, 2013
The SEC Network will launch in August 2014. Will have classic games, all-access type programming in addition to live sporting events.
— Steve Walentik (@Steve_Walentik) May 2, 2013
Only thing that matters w/ the SEC Network is how quickly it gets on every cable/sat package. The current bar is… uneven.
— The Solid Verbal (@SolidVerbal) May 2, 2013
We're being forced to watch Bernie Machen's video will. (He left you a ham.) twitter.com/edsbs/status/3…
— edsbs (@edsbs) May 2, 2013
Here's a little background on Justin Connolly, who'll be running the SEC Network: sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues…
— Alligator Army (@AlligatorArmy) May 2, 2013
AT&T U-verse has been secured as the network’s first national distributor. #SEC
— SEC Sports (@SECSportsUpdate) May 2, 2013
Hope ESPN beams the SEC Network to the Middle East and North Korea so we can end the threat of terrorism once and for all.
— Rick Muscles (@RickMuscles) May 2, 2013
Important to note that SEC Network will end all pay-per-view football games.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) May 2, 2013
Slive: "We believe that this network will be very successful in terms of distribution and in terms of significant revenue."
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) May 2, 2013
Not surprisingly, Slive declined to provide financial details of the SEC Network when asked.
— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) May 2, 2013
Looks like the SEC might finally be making it a bit easier to see more hoops games nationally. 'Bout damn time.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) May 2, 2013
"This is a national network." Get it done, Virginia cable providers.
— Ross Taylor (@RTaylorTX) May 2, 2013
From a guy who was at a Big Ten university when BTN launched: If SEC doesn't latch on w/ Comcast, Charter, Dish, DirecTV, it'll be a villain
— Aaron Brenner (@wareagleextra) May 2, 2013
Nick Saban looks so pissed he has to sit through this. It's delightful, like a cat being bathed.
— edsbs (@edsbs) May 2, 2013
The SEC to Clay Travis: "No." #outofcontext
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) May 2, 2013
Slive Mutumbo'd @claytravisbgid.
— edsbs (@edsbs) May 2, 2013
Connolly: "Outside of those 11 states, we will seek #ESPNU-type distribution." #SECNetwork
— TexAgs.com (@TexAgs) May 2, 2013
Hey @directv, just wanna go ahead and say get the damn SEC Network deal done now.
— Mark Ennis (@Mengus22) May 2, 2013
CBS no longer has exclusivity during time slot it shows SEC game of the week. SEC Network will have 3 games in 3 time slots per Saturday.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) May 2, 2013
CBS will still have first pick for Saturday SEC games. Other games split between ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU & SEC Network
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 2, 2013
Slive: "I do anticipate additional discussion about scheduling. I'm open-minded."
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) May 2, 2013
The SEC Network will be based in noted SEC stronghold Charlotte.
— edsbs (@edsbs) May 2, 2013