Southeast Conference forms TV sports network

[KeithE4]

It will be called SEC Network (surprise!) and be produced by ESPN Regional Television. Unlike the Big Ten Network, this one will be comprised of mostly over-the-air stations, including many major markets outside the South that will carry football only.

Interesting that there is no mention of an LA (or anywhere else in Kollyforneea) affiliate, even as "TBD" like New York, Chicago, and Detroit. I would think that the network's advertisers would insist on one - even an Orange County or Inland Empire upper-channel station if they couldn't land, say, KCAL or KCOP.

In any case, if this venture is successful, then the Big Ten Network and other conference networks, existing or soon to be established, should take the hint.

Link: University of Tennessee Sports

 

[jal41]

Look at a map of the United States. Look where LA, New York, and Chicago is. Except for transplants living in those areas, they probably don't give a rat's rear end to football teams in the South...expecially LA with UCLA and USC constantly winning championships.

Here in the South...our second religion (not mine) is a big deal with close to or over 100,000 capacity stadiums in Tuscalloosa (Alabama), Athens (Georgia), and Knoxville (Tennessee). It really is big enough to warrant to 24/7 cable network like the Big 10 has. ESPN could put one on in conjunction with the SEC seperate to (or as an addition to) the agreement.

This "network" (the one showing the games) is actually the replacement for Raycom, which lost the rights. My understanding is that ESPN has the rights until 2025. It is modeled after the Raycom system.

 

[anotherguyTN]

This "network" (the one showing the games) is actually the replacement for Raycom, which lost the rights. My understanding is that ESPN has the rights until 2025. It is modeled after the Raycom system.

I had the same thought. In fact the stations that will be the affiliates in my area (WLMT in Memphis and WJKT in Jackson, TN) are the same stations that had carried the SEC games from Raycom.

 

[JayR]

It will be called SEC Network (surprise!) and be produced by ESPN Regional Television. Unlike the Big Ten Network, this one will be comprised of mostly over-the-air stations, including many major markets outside the South that will carry football only.

Interesting that there is no mention of an LA (or anywhere else in Kollyforneea) affiliate, even as "TBD" like New York, Chicago, and Detroit. I would think that the network's advertisers would insist on one - even an Orange County or Inland Empire upper-channel station if they couldn't land, say, KCAL or KCOP.

The SEC Network is modeled after the Big East Network, which is nothing more than ESPN Regional. The Big East Network has SNY as its "flagship." I wonder which RSN or tv station will be the "flagship" for the SEC Network?

As for New York: there was a station in Binghamton that aired SEC football.

This "network" (the one showing the games) is actually the replacement for Raycom, which lost the rights. My understanding is that ESPN has the rights until 2025. It is modeled after the Raycom system.

I had the same thought. In fact the stations that will be the affiliates in my area (WLMT in Memphis and WJKT in Jackson, TN) are the same stations that had carried the SEC games from Raycom.

Most of the stations which originally aired the SEC football games produced by Raycom will continue to air these games coming this Fall.

 

[Nate Wesley]

Look at a map of the United States. Look where LA, New York, and Chicago is. Except for transplants living in those areas, they probably don't give a rat's rear end to football teams in the South...expecially LA with UCLA and USC constantly winning championships.

But there are plenty of southern-fried transplants to cities like New York, LA, and Chicago--just like there are gobs of former northerners living in Atlanta, Nashville, Tampa, Jacksonville, etc.

Since 'The SEC on CBS' already does well nationally, there's little risk in trying to get people to watch Mississippi State vs. Anybody University. At the very least, you'll get the channel-surfing sports fan who might stick around if there's a Pac-10 or Big 10 drubbing on other channels.

 

[JayR]

From SECSports.com:

ESPN Regional TV and SEC Introduce 'SEC Network'

Check this out...

The SEC Network will feature an SEC football Game of the Week regionally for 13 consecutive Saturdays, beginning Sept. 5. Those telecasts will kick off at noon ET/11 a.m. CT with the live SEC Studio show, followed by the matchup, generally determined 12 to six days in advance. The new kickoff time for the Game of the Week will be 12:21 p.m. ET.

The new kickoff time ensures that stations don't pass up the pregame show (does not mean viewers won't, though).

 

[stationless listener]

This is going to be a stab in the dark but my thinking here is that this would be an opportunity for the Ion network to fill some holes that would, otherwise, be filled with infomercials. In fact, this would help them get some much needed name recognition. Even southern football is better than what they have on right now.

As for NY, from where I see, it would either be MSG+, SNY or WWOR as the most likely candidates.

 

[Nate Wesley]

This is going to be a stab in the dark but my thinking here is that this would be an opportunity for the Ion network to fill some holes that would, otherwise, be filled with infomercials. In fact, this would help them get some much needed name recognition. Even southern football is better than what they have on right now.

VERY good suggestion for syndicated clearance. I don't think Disney (owners of ABC) could be that quick to veto this, considering other ABC Studios productions air on non-Disney channels. Plus, you can't tell me they aren't going to remind everyone that the 'SEC Network' isn't brought to you by ESPN, so there's the brand extension and cross-promotions related to that.