SEC NETWORK GETTING NERVOUS ABOUT LACK OF DEALS APPROACHING LAUNCH

[pmull]

I can not believe major satellite and cable providers in the SEC footprint will not will not pick up the SEC Network. However, I think they know they are stretching the limit of how much customers will pay for TV already. I am not worried about whether my carrier will pick it up but I am concerned about how much it will cost. My monthly cost for TV, internet, phone and cell phones is already $296/mo. I do not want to pay anymore but I will do what I have to to get the SEC Network and that is what the SEC is counting on. 

The SEC Network’s launch date of August 14 is fast approaching and there’s been no movement on carriage agreements since ESPN signed Dish Network and AT&T U-Verse along with some smaller providers. Other major providers such as Bright House, Charter, Comcast, DirecTV (especially DirecTV) and Time Warner have not signed for SEC Network.

Despite the fact that each SEC team will be featured in the first month, it has not made any of the major providers budge in their refusal to pick up the channel.

Click here for link

[N.AL-Tider]

I hope Charter picks it up... If not, will Bama coverage be any less than from previous years?

[pmull]

I hope Charter picks it up... If not, will Bama coverage be any less than from previous years?

Yes. Every SEC team will have at least one game exclusively on the SEC Network in the first month of the season. ESPN and the SEC know how to market their product. The SEC knows the SEC Network is must have TV for most homes in the SEC footprint. Charter and the other carriers know it as well. The negotiations will carry on into August IMO. Before the launch on Aug 14 it will be worked out and your cable bill will increase. 

[Bamaphile]

We've got Bright House here in central Florida, and we haven't heard what's going on with them and the SEC Network yet.  It's making me nervous.  With FSU, Miami, and UCF in this state in addition to Florida, I'm not sure how much pressure the Florida fans can put on Bright House for one or two games per season.  Plus, in spite of what they think, most people down here don't really know what a real football fan is.

[bama87]

Here in Chatty we have Comcast. If they bring in the network, fine. Of not, I'm ok with that too. I only have so much money to spend. Contrary to popular belief, money doesn't grow on trees.

[SUPERCOACH]

DirecTV called me the other day.  They wanted to thank me for being such a loyal customer. 

To show their appreciation, they wanted to give me a new Genie for free.  I asked if there would be a new contract agreement, knowing that of course there would be.  I have been off contract for several years now.  They said yes, 24 months.  I said, OK, then are you going to carry the SEC network?  They said they are still in negotiations and they do not know yet.  I said, no thanks, call me back if you decide to carry the SEC network, otherwise I will switch to Dish.



If they can get enough people recommitted on their contracts it will buy them some time and leverage in the negotiations.  I knew exactly what they were up to.  I first got DirecTV almost 20 years ago, and not once have they ever called me to thank me and upgrade my equipment.  The last time they were the last one to get a channel I wanted, I switched to Dish for over 5 years, back when they had to start carrying all of the local channels for network TV.

If they want to keep getting my $100+ per month they better not mess with my ability to watch Alabama football.

[2Stater]

DirecTV called me the other day.  They wanted to thank me for being such a loyal customer. 

To show their appreciation, they wanted to give me a new Genie for free.  I asked if there would be a new contract agreement, knowing that of course there would be.  I have been off contract for several years now.  They said yes, 24 months.  I said, OK, then are you going to carry the SEC network?  They said they are still in negotiations and they do not know yet.  I said, no thanks, call me back if you decide to carry the SEC network, otherwise I will switch to Dish.



If they can get enough people recommitted on their contracts it will buy them some time and leverage in the negotiations.  I knew exactly what they were up to.  I first got DirecTV almost 20 years ago, and not once have they ever called me to thank me and upgrade my equipment.  The last time they were the last one to get a channel I wanted, I switched to Dish for over 5 years, back when they had to start carrying all of the local channels for network TV.

If they want to keep getting my $100+ per month they better not mess with my ability to watch Alabama football.

I've had DTV for 10 yrs here and 5 yrs in SC. They've never called me either. I call them once a year after a price increase and remind them what a loyal customer I am and get them to give me a break on price.

I hope they call me. I'll tell them the same thing.

[Merk]

Just read an article that indicated Comcast will broadcast the SEC Network. Leaves DTV and Time Warner cable as the odd men out now. Betcha they come along shortly.

[Marshal Dillon]

Direct TV and others are playing a losing game of "chicken." They KNOW they have to carry the SEC Network but think they can bluff ESPN. This is a PR disaster for them and they need to quit the game playing.



 

[pmull]

Direct TV and others are playing a losing game of "chicken." They KNOW they have to carry the SEC Network but think they can bluff ESPN. This is a PR disaster for them and they need to quit the game playing.



 

As I said in a post above ESPN and the SEC know how to market their product. I doubt they are worried at all about Direct TV, Charter and others signing up by the launch. I have been with Charter 20 years and I will drop them like a rock if they do not pick it up. There are fans of 14 schools across the South that will do the same thing.

[SUPERCOACH]

DirecTV hopeful about SEC Network

"We’re in the middle of productive discussions with Disney over ESPN’s new SEC Network and hope to be able to provide it as soon as we possibly can. Both DIRECTV and Disney understand and appreciate the unique bond between SEC teams and the communities they represent, many of which lack any professional teams. We are working cooperatively to ensure that everyone can still see their favorite SEC team play at the most reasonable value to all SEC fans and the rest of our customers throughout the Southeast."

Click here for link

[pmull]

Charter cable just announced they will go 100% digital Aug 12 in my area. That means every TV (even new ones) will require a HD digital cable box at $6.99/mo. I have 5 TV's in my home. I only have the HD box on the big one in the family room. I called Charter this morning and showed my rear end and threatened to take my business elsewhere. I have to do this about once a year when they go up on my rates and basically treat a 20 year customer like crap. I pay $145/mo now. It took about 20 minutes and got switched to a supervision but they are sending me 4 HD cable boxes at no charge for a year.

I will have to do this again next month when they announce they will carry the SEC network and go up on my rate.

I love Charter's service but they are a pain to deal with.

[ricky023]

Boy I wish we had Charter back. Our cable has been so bad since Charter dropped us that I went to Direct-Tv and in our area they are not much better than cable. Everytime it rains signal is gone. They make us take 2 GA. channels whether we like it or not. I am going to try and get cable one out of Anniston to pick our county up. Not sure what is going to happen. RTR!

[Hannibal Lecter, MD]

If it were to launch today, the SEC Network already has 10 million more subscribers than the Big 10 Network did at launch.

[roll tide roll]

They have removed the sign up option from Roku.

The Roku link now redirects you to ESPN.com website.

I was excited about being able to watch quality live broadcast through Roku.  There would have been a charge, but it would have been worth it.

I blame ESPN.

Perhaps this lack of coverage will lead to them reopening the Roku portal again.

Looks like 2014 -15 will be justin.tv again.  Not bad, but this removes the option of watching the game at a time other than that of schedule live broadcast.

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