http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releas...t-14-2014/

All TV and SEC worshippers may now bow.I spend too much time GOING to actual games to pay for their product.IF I was homebound I would watch only G5 games.The $EC will get none of my support(as if they need it).

Watching 5 different interesting games on TV is better than watching a big name team abuse an FCS team.

I have been really working hard to keep Suddenlink from signing on with the SEC Network. Really, just because I enjoy making Pig fans angry.

My hope is they'll put it in a digital tear somewhere so I don't have to watch it, or pay for it.

(08-06-2014 11:11 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  All TV and SEC worshippers may now bow.I spend too much time GOING to actual games to pay for their product.IF I was homebound I would watch only G5 games.The $EC will get none of my support(as if they need it).

Totally agree. TV packages mean nothing to me. I'm at the Troy games so all the other stuff is irrelevant.

Outside of the 1st weekend the SEC Network won't exactly have any key matchups. Seems like they're loaded with whatever CBS and ESPN didn’t want.

(08-06-2014 11:26 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I have been really working hard to keep Suddenlink from signing on with the SEC Network. Really, just because I enjoy making Pig fans angry.

My hope is they'll put it in a digital tear somewhere so I don't have to watch it, or pay for it.

Too late, according to this.
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/SEC-N...30021.html

(08-06-2014 12:00 PM)WinstonTheWolf Wrote:  

(08-06-2014 11:26 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I have been really working hard to keep Suddenlink from signing on with the SEC Network. Really, just because I enjoy making Pig fans angry.

My hope is they'll put it in a digital tear somewhere so I don't have to watch it, or pay for it.

Too late, according to this.
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/SEC-N...30021.html

Yeah, I figured they would sign, I'm just hoping its added to a digital tear that I don't have to purchase.

Though I am very happy with Watch ESPN being added. Means I can watch ESNNews and ESPNU without having to pay for the digital service.

Well, I'm glad DirecTV is adding it because now I can see Sun Belt teams on TV when they play SEC schools. Might also get some more basketball and baseball games on there when Sun Belt schools play SEC schools.

EDIT: I thought the above Sun Belt connection would be obvious - if there wasn't a Sun Belt connection I wouldn't have posted what's otherwise SEC news here.

(08-06-2014 12:39 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  Well, I'm glad DirecTV is adding it because now I can see Sun Belt teams on TV when they play SEC schools. Might also get some more basketball and baseball games on there when Sun Belt schools play SEC schools.

EDIT: I thought the above Sun Belt connection would be obvious - if there wasn't a Sun Belt connection I wouldn't have posted what's otherwise SEC news here.

Its obvious. But we're talking about a few games over a course of a season, games that will likely be available to watch via other means.

Its a bill increase to watch 14 teams I don't care two licks about.

(08-06-2014 12:56 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-06-2014 12:39 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  Well, I'm glad DirecTV is adding it because now I can see Sun Belt teams on TV when they play SEC schools. Might also get some more basketball and baseball games on there when Sun Belt schools play SEC schools.

EDIT: I thought the above Sun Belt connection would be obvious - if there wasn't a Sun Belt connection I wouldn't have posted what's otherwise SEC news here.

Its obvious. But we're talking about a few games over a course of a season, games that will likely be available to watch via other means.

Its a bill increase to watch 14 teams I don't care two licks about.

Fair enough.

Isn't it like $1.40 per person?

(08-06-2014 01:22 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Isn't it like $1.40 per person?

Officially yes.

I suspect that it isn't the full picture. I would bet that what is happening is that ESPN is having to make some concessions like discounting or including full WatchESPN access and agreeing to lock in prices for ESPN for extra years.

I think Direct had like a year or year and a half left with ESPN at the current price. It's plausible that Direct agreed to pay the full price for SECN in return for adding another couple years to the ESPN deal and taking WatchESPN or taking it at a cheaper price.

(08-06-2014 01:22 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Isn't it like $1.40 per person?

When your current cable company uses a Sunny Day as an excuse to increase your cable bill...that's a lot of cash.

I did get Watch ESPN access at least...which will at least mean I'll be able to watch the ESPNU and ESPNews games I don't get online.

(08-07-2014 12:25 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(08-06-2014 01:22 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Isn't it like $1.40 per person?

Officially yes.

I suspect that it isn't the full picture. I would bet that what is happening is that ESPN is having to make some concessions like discounting or including full WatchESPN access and agreeing to lock in prices for ESPN for extra years.

I think Direct had like a year or year and a half left with ESPN at the current price. It's plausible that Direct agreed to pay the full price for SECN in return for adding another couple years to the ESPN deal and taking WatchESPN or taking it at a cheaper price.

It would be very awesome if WatchESPN got rolled into my Direct package because of this.

I'm with you on that one, it'd be fantastic to have WatchESPN access, but I'm not counting on this happening as there has been no mention of this in any news outlet regarding the agreement nor anywhere on DirecTV's website.

(08-07-2014 09:22 AM)pjc1979 Wrote:  I'm with you on that one, it'd be fantastic to have WatchESPN access, but I'm not counting on this happening as there has been no mention of this in any news outlet regarding the agreement nor anywhere on DirecTV's website.

This article implies that WatchESPN may have been part of the negotiations: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/..._netw.html

So there's some hope that it might be happening.

From the "inside": Without breaking the rules:

Watch ESPN is part/included in the deal. It is "free" to you but adds cost to your provider per registered user per month.

The actual cost of SEC is going to be pretty dang close to the figure mentioned = wholesale to the provider.
BUT - Is mandated to be on "BASIC" cable. Not digital or sports only tier in "SEC" states. (Note: Outside of SEC states the cost will be much/much lower - per sub and may be tiered)

Launch of the SEC net work:
(Besides certain carve outs for small providers receiving their digital programing through certain formats like QuickTakes/Htis2home) - Also includes a MUST CARRY/LAUNCH of a sports channel that Nobody every heard of our wants = Fusion.
Fusion is basically an English speaking foreign sports channel. CRIMINAL imop - what ESPN is doing with this requirement.

ADDITONALLY: MUST CARRY requirement for an "overflow" channel for SEC network. Just in case one SEC game isn't over before they want to start another one. - This is ridiculous. As if it wasn't part of the ESPN family of networks that already has plenty of options for "overflow" like ESPN Classic/U/2 and 3. Hey... If Auburn isn't done playing.... pick up the phone and tell Mississippi State that they need to wait about 10 minutes to kickoff for goodness sake.

ESPN has a SCHEDULED rate increase EVERYYEAR! YES - preplanned increase ... it is in the contract! Remember it is owned by Disney: Have you ever known anything with that label to not be overpriced?

For every channel that is launched (and this Network requires 3 - SEC, Fusion and SEC overflow.) An entire year round channel space has to be dedicated and each requires a separate receiver that cost over 4 Grand. 12,000 to launch SEC just in recievers/ plus digital modulators, map changes etc for every system a provider owns.

Your cable company jacking up rates? Yea... but likely not making a dime on the increase - In fact taking in a big expense to launch new channels while producing no additional revenue to cover the cost.

People make me laugh who blame cable systems.
Junk like what espn is doing here, is what causes Government to have to get involved.

I've got no problem with the network being $5 - as long as it is allowed to be tiered and doesn't require a launch of a channel that almost nobody wants just to get a channel that they know 30% of your subscriber base would leave you to go to where they can get it.

But yea... BASIC only - no tier = Watch ESPN included as long as your provider has a contract for the Everywhere stuff. Which is an entirely different cost to the provider for "Authenticating" you as a subscriber(equipment, monthly, setup fees - etc.)

Still waiting to see how this new Sun Belt "channel" on watch ESPN is going to work on Watch ESPN.

As disgruntled as I am with ESPN, I'm excited to be bringing this internet access on board during Ga Southern's transition to the FBS.

For those that are not with providers that already offered TV everywhere stuff - Note that it could take a couple of months for the service to be up and running. The time frame for some channels to approve/Test new providers can take a little while.

ESPN is attempting to get their end done on larger groups of providers than normal, so it may speed the process up a bit. So it may be available within the first few weeks of the season, maybe not.