Along with the expansive stadiums of the SEC, the Crimson Tide will reach a whole new audience in the 2014 season: subscribers to the new ESPN-developed SEC Network.
The network, available nationwide on a number of providers, will supply consumers with 24-hour access to the Southeastern Conference, 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,” according to a DISH Network release.
The network is designed by ESPN to appeal to the passionate fans of the Southeastern conference.
“SEC fans are the inspiration for the network,” ESPN Vice President of Content Justin Connolly said at SEC Media Days. “They are a current and future source of constructive critiques and feedback. I can tell you, as you know well, they are a most vigilant group.”
DISH was the first nationwide provider to sign on with the SEC Network. Network executives said they were most excited about appealing to the nationwide fans of the SEC.
“The SEC fan base is just a rabid fan base,” DISH Network chief marketing officer James Moorhead said at SEC Media Days. “We have a rabid customer base that has to have this content. First and foremost we need to get this for our current customers … We have a very strong business in the Southeastern United States, so it just made perfect sense for us.”
ESPN has assembled a cast of notable former SEC players and analysts for the live broadcasts on the network, including former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy and former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. On-air talent will also include longtime ESPN commentator Brent Musberger and noted Alabama radio host Paul Finebaum.
“We have the best company flag football team in America,” Connolly said. “Our analysts alone have compiled two Super Bowl rings, two Heisman Trophy winners, four National Championships, five NFL first?round picks, six first?team All?American awards, six SEC Football Championships, and 8 All?SEC first team honors.”
While football is the marquee sport for the Southeastern Conference, the SEC Network will air matchups from every SEC sport, including a digital platform that will air more than 550 sporting events annually.
“Thanks to the SEC Network, across TV and digital, fans will be able to see every men’s and women’s college basketball game from the SEC, every baseball and softball conference game and every conference gymnastics meet,” he said. “It’s incredible.”
Along with the televised sports, the SEC Network will also air hours of original content. Along with news, recaps and preview programs, the network will also air 10 longform documentaries under the “SEC Storied” franchise every year and will weekly bring a coach onto “SEC Film Room” to analyze various plays from across the league.
“This is a sports fan’s paradise and the most fan?friendly approach in a digital environment,” he said. “We’ve consistently noted that storytelling would be a point of differentiation for us. Features of all lengths and subject matter will texture the network.”
All providers of the SEC Network are listed at getsecnetwork.com. The Crimson Tide will make its first appearance on September 6 against Florida Atlantic.
