SEC Media Days 2013 provided more details about the launch of the SEC Network. August 21, 2014 at 6 p.m. central is the official launch of the SEC Network, according to ESPN VP Justin Connolly. The SEC Network is a partnership between the SEC and ESPN and will feature live events including a triple-headers on college football Saturdays. The SEC Network will also broadcast the Paul Finebaum Show.
“Paul Finebaum has joined the SEC family for 2013. He will also be a featured part of the lineup on the SEC Network when we launch in 2014,” Connolly said.
SEC Network
Distribution
“We are now engaged in active and productive distribution conversations with most cable, satellite and Telco distributors across the country,” Connolly said.
In addition to AT&T U-verse, the SEC Network signed a deal Friday with the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative.
“This is a collection of several small telecommunications distributors dispersed throughout the country,” Connolly said. “While this deal will add tens of thousands, not millions, of SEC Network subscribers, we appreciate and value distribution partners in all shapes and sizes.”
There are 13 months until launch, and Connolly said he “optimistic” about distribution.
“Our distribution team is one of the most skilled in the business,” Connolly said. “It is impressive what that team has achieved thus far.”
Connolly has ten years of experience at ESPN and Disney “immersed” in the distribution side of the business. He explained the business requires “patience and persistence,” and this is what is applied to how the SEC Network has approached the distribution negotiations with cable and satellite carriers.
Connolly said fans can support the SEC Network.
“Today one formal way to connect with us is to visit the website, www.getSECNetwork.com,” Connolly said. “I invite you to show your support by visiting the site and registering.”