re: If you have DirecTV, better explore switching

Well I'm with Cox and they picked up the stupid Longhorn Network so I can't imagine they won't pick up the SEC Network.

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that really bother you though? i just assumed most people get their weather on their phones these days. never understood actually watching TWC

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Most folks with an agricultural background are drawn to TWC....also, people have friends and relatives living in other places, you know?

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Why are you acting like a tool? You don't pick up the broadcasts of the SEC Network off an antenna nor any other channel outside of local channels. If you stream anything, technically its illegal. I don't really give a shite how you do it but stop acting like you have some brilliant solution that nobody else has figured out.

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Agreed. That guy is being a total douche.

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Already pissed me off they let TWC go.

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Are you kidding with this? I chuckled when I read about TWCs negotiations. I haven't looked at that channel in quite a while. Whenever I do, it's bullshite scare tactics trying to make a story.

After getting bitch-slapped by irate SEC fans on Twitter, DirecTV backed up, way up, said it is still in negotiations:

LINK

Looks like the same BS I would expect them to say.
I still think they will get it, otherwise they would lose too many customers. Paying a little more than they want has got to be cheaper than losing 100,000+/- customers.

I had DTV for 7 years but recently moved into a new place and there is a massive tree in the front yard that would block my dish signal. Wasnt too heartbroken bc U-Verse is pretty damn solid.


I will miss sunday ticket though

frick directv

Cancelled a couple months ago, best decision I made with them

I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up, anywhere. If someone has seen any discussion on this I'd like to see it:

ESPN, in addition to the SEC Network (network defined as a cable or sat channel) has their digital outlet too: WatchESPN. Most of us have the app on our iphone, android, tablet, etc.

Currently, DirecTV does not have a digital carriage agreement. Meaning, if you are a DirecTV customer and download the WatchESPN app, you will not be authenticated. Check the app right now (if you have it installed on your device). In the section where you select your content provider, DirecTV (nor Dish) is not listed. Again, this is because DirecTV and ESPN have not been able to negotiate a carriage deal.

"Well, why don't they just strike a deal?" Most network carriage contracts include a Most Favorable Nation (MFN) clause which are provisions put in place to guarantee an operator (ie DirecTV, Dish, Charter, etc.) the same effective rates as their competitors. ESPN & Dish went to trail over this issue last year. Google it and read until your heart's content. To some it's as confusing as the day is long so I'm not going to go into it but it has a direct impact on what a carrier is contracted to pay and what ESPN is contracted to charge (including digital distribution).

So what does this have to do with the SEC Network? Paragraph #14 on the SEC Network's FAQ reads in part:

"How will the SEC Network enhance the SEC fan experience?

More than 1,000 live events will be available. The SEC Network will provide more than 450 live games on television each year. An additional 550 games will be distributed digitally."

"Digitally" means platforms such as WatchESPN and espn3. ESPN, like any other company, leverages its assets (ie SEC athletic events) in an effort to generate as much revenue as possible. Translation: more live programming via digital platforms means higher subscriber fees. It's reported that the SEC Network is asking distributors within the 11 state SEC footprint approximately $1.30 per subscriber. What ESPN has not revealed, however, is if the aforementioned carriage fee is inclusive of digital rights. Reasonable presumption is this fee does not include digital distribution. Why? Because DirecTV and Dish customers are not authenticated on WatchESPN. This makes it obvious that carriers must pay a higher subscriber fee when authenticating WatchESPN. In simple terms, ESPN isn’t going to come in on the back end and say “today’s your lucky day, we now have this clever viewing platform called WatchESPN. Your customers can now watch our programming on a mobile device and we don’t want any additional money.” It boils down to how much ESPN is asking. Throw in MFN provisions and it becomes an even bigger head scratcher.

At some point, DIRECTV will renegotiate its carriage agreements with Disney (who owns ESPN) and it's likely that one side or the other will insist that WatchESPN be included. No doubt about it: ESPN is telling carriers “you want the SEC Network, you must authenticate WatchESPN.” DIRECTV pays to Disney more than some pay-TV companies pay to EVERY content provider combined. It's estimated that up to 25% of the average user's DIRECTV bill already goes straight to Disney, and that's huge.

ESPN3 makes your brain hurt even more when adding it into the mix. In order to view content on ESPN3 your ISP, not your cable/satellite company, must have distribution rights. When factoring in that most content providers also offer broadband services, Dish/DirecTV do not offer broadband services, MFN provisions and last month’s ruling on “net neutrality” these negotiations are not as easy as one may think.