ESPN and the SEC Network

[SamCdbs]

This is not a "network" in the sense that Big 10 Network or The Mountain are networks, which is to say a channel that a cable of DBS company can carry. Its just the label of what SEC games will be syndicated as.

ESPN Regional Television is a syndication company, formerly known as Creative Sports Television, that syndicates college sports to local stations. It replaces JP Television as the syndicator of the SEC. SEC games will be labeled as being on the "SEC Network" as in "next week we will have Kentucky @ Mississippi, here on most of these SEC Network stations, check your local listings." ESPN has sundicated Big (L)East games as "Big (L)East Network" for several years.

The SEC decided last year to not start a dedicated SEC channel like the Big 10 and MWC did, after most cable companies in the southeast expressed luke warm desire to pay for such a thing.

 

[Jimbo]

As far as these games go, you are correct. They will be on the OTA channels only (from what I understand).

However, there will be a significant increase in SEC games in most sports carried by the two main ESPN channels and ESPNU, in addition to a slight increase in games carried on CBS.

Significant ?

ESPN already does the Saturday night game, usually a SEC game.
CBS always has a SEC game every Saturday afternoon.

Do we really need MORE SEC games outside of the SEC territory ?
Where will they put these addl. games, they still have the Big Ten contract for Saturday day games ?

 

[Ramy]

Significant ?

ESPN already does the Saturday night game, usually a SEC game.
CBS always has a SEC game every Saturday afternoon.

Do we really need MORE SEC games outside of the SEC territory ?
Where will they put these addl. games, they still have the Big Ten contract for Saturday day games ?

Simple answer. Yes.

 

[Ronnie-]

Simple answer. Yes.

YEP!

There will be more Thurday night games, a few ESPN games shown at the same time as the CBS game, ect. I am trying to find the link that showed more detail on what would be shown were.

This does not just cover football. Basketball will get just as big of a boost in coverage.

 

[Ronnie-]

SEC Football on TV in '09 - Solomon's Wisdom - al.com

This may have changed somewhat, but it gives a pretty good idea of what will be going on.

From what I understand, nearly every game in and out of conference will be televised somewhere

 

[hancox]

< noon kickoffs? Wow, talk about selling your soul

 

[Ronnie-]

< noon kickoffs? Wow, talk about selling your soul

that will only be one game a week (right?), and is around the same time as the raycom games were, so no big change there

 

[hancox]

yeah, it's more of a laugh because UConn country is complaining about every home game being a noon kickoff so far (4 out of 6, the other 2 are TBA)

Me personally, I'm fine with it. It's funny to see the rest of the country going earlier.

And... I think it's > 1 game, it's essentially open to any of the non-picked-up games (CBS, ESPN*, etc)

 

[Ronnie-]

yeah, it's more of a laugh because UConn country is complaining about every home game being a noon kickoff so far (4 out of 6, the other 2 are TBA)

Me personally, I'm fine with it. It's funny to see the rest of the country going earlier.

And... I think it's > 1 game, it's essentially open to any of the non-picked-up games (CBS, ESPN*, etc)

True, there could be more than one. I think they are trying to push MOST to a night game though.

In any case, I dont care when they play, as long as I can watch them. Saturdays in the fall are couch days! UNLESS I am at the game.

 

[Will94]

I ran across this list of affiliates.
ESPN Regional Television and Southeastern Conference Introduce 'SEC Network,' Announce Syndication Package - TENNESSEE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

I use my sister's Houston address for DirecTV. It's the only way I can get ABC college football in HD without having cable. KTBU isn't carried by DirecTV. There was some kind of a paperwork screwup last fall, and they were dropped. Would I be blacked out of the games that they carry?

 

[hancox]

Very likely, unless you have other means, OTA.

 

[Will94]

Don't think OTA is going to happen. The big red pin is my house. I do get ESPN360 with my DSL though.

 

[hancox]

360 will save you here, assuming that it works like the Big East currently. You should be able to get a bunch of games there...