The SEC has gone into partnership with ESPN in creating and operating the network, and ESPN could stand for Expensive Sports Programming Now.
It is the most costly channel in your programming package, commanding what reportedly is about $5.50 of your monthly bill. Accordingly, the SEC Network will be at the Rolls Royce end of the conference TV networks in terms of pricing, with the respected Sports Business Journal saying the monthly fee for “SECTV” in the 11 states in which the league has a school will be $1.30 per subscriber (just a quarter for non-SEC states).
That’s what the cable and satellite companies will be charged — and obviously they aren’t in the business of breaking even, so if you end up with the channel you can expect your bill eventually to reflect that cost plus the profit margin the programming company will add.
The network is to air 24 hours a day and show 45 SEC football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball contests and 75 baseball games in addition to other sports. There also will be talk shows and other programming.
Musburger, 74, has been moved out of the lead college football play-by-play role for ESPN and ABC to handle those chores for SEC Network. He’ll work with analyst Jesse Palmer. Chris Fowler replaces Musburger on the main ESPN-ABC package, working with holdover commentator Kirk Herbstreit. (Fowler also remains as host of ESPN’s “College GameDay” pregame program on Saturday mornings.)
SEC Network will have its own Saturday morning preview show, which will focus on the league and go up against “GameDay.’’ ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will host the program and will be joined by analyst Tim Tebow. Paul Finebaum, who has had a popular radio show in SEC territory, also will participate as well as former Louisiana State and NFL player Marcus Spears.
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