Cox Communications to Carry SEC Network for August 14, 2014 Debut

Comcast is starting to really piss me off.

ESPN and Cox Communications have reached an agreement for carriage of the SEC Network on Cox when the multiplatform network launches on August 14, 2014. The channel will be available to fans and followers of the Southeastern Conference in all Cox markets. Cox subscribers will also have authenticated access to additional live events scheduled for the SEC Network’s digital platform, with the ability to watch SEC Network content anytime, anywhere on their television, computer, tablet or mobile device.

“Cox is home to some of the biggest fans with five SEC schools in our markets,” said Jill Campbell, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Cox Communications. “This is great news for alumni and fans across our footprint who will enjoy all the action and rivalries that have become synonymous with SEC sports.”

Added Sean Breen, Disney and ESPN Media Networks senior vice president, affiliate sales: “The ground swell of consumer and affiliate demand increases by the day, and we continue to build on our momentum with the announcement of Cox Communications as our latest distributor that will deliver the SEC Network to fans at launch.”

The SEC Network and its accompanying digital platform 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: “The addition of Cox is another very important step in the development of the SEC Network, bringing millions more viewers nationwide to the network when it launches on August 14. As one of the largest cable television distributors in the U.S., including five states in the SEC footprint, this agreement with Cox has a significant impact on exposure for the SEC.”

“We are pleased to expand upon our growing list of distributors who have signed agreements for the SEC Network launching in a little over a month,” added Justin Connolly, ESPN senior vice president, college networks. “We look forward to serving Cox customers with an unparalleled offering of more SEC content than ever before.”

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Is this going to be a premium channel, like ESPNU? Or will be it be on the basic channel package?

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Is this going to be a premium channel, like ESPNU? Or will be it be on the basic channel package?

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My assumption is it will be a part of their Sports Tier package.....so, yes it will be a premium channel.

Barrett Sallee ?@BarrettSallee ·22m
The addition of Cox brings the @SECNetwork to around 26 million homes. The Big Ten Network had 16 million the day it launched.

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My assumption is it will be a part of their Sports Tier package.....so, yes it will be a premium channel.

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Doubtful that ESPN would have agreed to it being a sports tier channel. It'll be on one of the more basic tiers available(not familiar with exactly how Cox sets this up)...

I wonder if it will broadcast on WatchESPN for u-verse customers.

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I wonder if it will broadcast on WatchESPN for u-verse customers.

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From the link in my previous post:

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Will I be able to watch the Network on my mobile phone or similar device?
Yes. The SEC Network will be available on computers, tablets, mobile phones and other consumer devices like Xbox to fans who receive their video subscription through an affiliated provider. The aim is to make this content available to fans anytime, anywhere, similar to how the WatchESPN application works today.

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