As reported by Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing on Thursday, Comcast has picked up SEC Network and will make it available on its Xfinity platforms plus all TV Everywhere apps including Xfinity TV Go and the WatchESPN app.
Up until now, pick ups for SEC Network had been going very slowly with only AT&T U-Verse and Dish being the only major cable and satellite providers agreeing to carry it.
But over the last two weeks, ESPN signed Cox Communications and momentum rolled to Comcast. And to clear a huge hurdle, FoxSports.com reports that DirecTV is expected to carry SEC Network as part of a new all-encompassing agreement between the satellite provider and parent company Disney.
So with these companies in tow, SEC Network still needs Time Warner Cable and its affiliate Bright House to finish the major cable and satellite providers, but even without TWC, ESPN looks as if it will hit its goal of reaching 75 million homes when SEC Network launches on August 14.
Here’s the ESPN/Comcast announcement.
Comcast to Distribute SEC Network to Xfinity TV Customers
PHILADELPHIA, PA and BRISTOL, CT –– JULY 18, 2014 –– ESPN and Comcast Cable have reached an agreement for carriage of the SEC Network, which will begin rolling out to fans and followers of the Southeastern Conference across Comcast markets at the start of the SEC college football season. Comcast subscribers will also have authenticated access to additional live events scheduled for the SEC Network’s and Comcast’s digital platforms – including the Xfinity TV Go app and website, WatchESPN and SECNetwork.com – with the ability to watch SEC Network live and on-demand content anytime, anywhere on their television, computer, tablet or mobile device. With the addition of Comcast, the SEC Network will be available to 46 million households nationwide.
“We are extremely pleased to have reached this agreement with ESPN to deliver the SEC Network to Xfinity TV customers on multiple platforms,” said Matt Strauss, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Video Services, Comcast Cable. “Whether in the home or on the go, Xfinity TV customers will be able to watch their favorite Southeastern Conference teams in more ways than ever before.”
Added Sean Breen, Disney and ESPN Media Networks senior vice president, affiliate sales, “We are pleased to announce Comcast as our latest distributor for the SEC Network, which continues to attract great demand from consumers across the country and adds significant value for our affiliates leading up to the national network’s launch next month.”
The SEC Network and its accompanying digital offering will air more than 1,000 live events in its first year, including at least 45 exclusive SEC football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games, 50 softball games and events across all of the SEC’s 21 sports. The network will be an all-access pass to nationally competitive events, news and information, expert analysis, classic games and in-depth features on the most storied conference in college athletics.
SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said, “With more than three weeks still to go before launch, we are pleased to add Comcast, the largest cable television distributor in the country, to the growing list of providers that will bring the SEC Network to millions of fans nationwide.”
“We’re thrilled to have Comcast on board as a distributor for the launch of the SEC Network on August 14,” added Justin Connolly, ESPN senior vice president, college networks. “Across the country, Comcast’s Xfinity customers will have access to all of the great content and coverage from the SEC Network. We continue to gain momentum for a successful launch across a wide range of affiliated providers.”
Xfinity TV customers can find the SEC Network on their channel lineup upon its launch by visiting www.XfinityTV.com.
That is all.
