ESPN, DISH Sign New Multi-Year SEC Network Broadcast Deal

Courtesy: ESPN/SEC Network/DISH

A new deal between ESPN and DISH has given DISH carriage rights to the fledgling SEC network when the multiplatform network launches this Summer.

DISH will begin carrying the SEC Network beginning August 14^th, 2014.  The announced deal is just one part of a much larger groundbreaking deal signed this week between DISH and The Walt Disney Company.  It makes DISH the first nationwide television provider for the SEC Network.  The multiplatform deal includes coverage of over one thousand live events in just its first year.  That number includes no fewer than forty-five exclusive SEC football games, over one hundred men’s basketball games, sixty women’s basketball games, seventy-five baseball games, fifty softball games, and even more events throughout the SEC’s twenty-one different sports.

As with the deal giving DISH broadcast rights for the Longhorn Network, this deal will see the SEC Network added to DISH America’s Top120+ and higher packages nationwide.  Those that add the SEC Network to their satellite package will also have access to the network’s digital platform.  That will allow audiences access to SEC Network content at home and on the go via computers and mobile web.

Terms of the deal partner ESPN and the SEC through 2034.  Dave Shull, DISH Executive VP and CCO, spoke on behalf of the network in an interview about the deal.  “Few fan bases rival the passion and loyalty of the SEC, and DISH is proud to be the first nationwide television provider of the SEC Network,” he said.  “We strive to give our customers and consumers what they want, and there’s no better place for the college sports fan than with DISH.”

Justin Connolly, ESPN Senior VP of College Networks, expanded on Shull’s comments explaining just how important the deal is to ESPN and DISH. “This agreement provides DISH customers nationwide with access to every SEC college football game this fall and an unparalleled fan experience of more SEC content than ever before,” he said.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive also spoke with reporters after the groundbreaking deal was signed and sealed.  He expressed to reporters the importance of the deal not only for the SEC, but also for fans of SEC athletics.  “This is an important day for the SEC Network,” he said.  “We are pleased to welcome DISH to the SEC family. More than five months ahead of the network launch, it’s exciting to have a national distributor and our first satellite provider onboard. Now SEC fans from across the country have another way to show their conference pride and sign up to get the SEC Network.”

DISH customers can find out later this year where they can find the SEC network on their carrier online at http://www.dish.com.  More information on this deal and more from ESPN is available online at http://espn.go.com and http://www.facebook.com/ESPN.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN, DISH Reach New Deal For Longhorn Network Broadcast Rights

Courtesy: ESPN/DISH/Longhorn Network

Fans of the Texas Longhorns have another reason to be happy this morning.  That’s because a new deal between ESPN and Dish Network will allow DISH to carry the Longhorn Network to fans across the country.  It’s just one part of a much bigger deal announced this week between DISH and the Walt Disney company.  The new deal between ESPN and DISH more than doubles LHN’s national distribution.  According to terms of the deal, The Longhorn Network will be available to DISH customers on the America’s Top 120+ and higher packages beginning later this Summer.    Audiences will be able to get information on where LHN will be on their carrier later this year online at http://www.dish.com.

The expanded television coverage of the Longhorn Network is just one positive of the new deal between DISH and ESPN.  LHN fans that receive the network as part of their satellite service will also be able to get live coverage online at home and via mobile internet on their computers and iOS devices.

Justin Connolly, Senior VP of college networks, was positive in his comments about the announcement.  “This agreement with DISH presents a tremendous opportunity to bring Longhorn Network’s robust content offerings to Texas fans across the country,” he said.

ESPN’s deal with UT to broadcast the Longhorn Network, which originally debuted in 2011, lasts for twenty years.  Steve Patterson, University of Texas Athletics Director, shared his thoughts on the extended agreement and other topics in an interview.  “We are excited to have DISH join the growing list of LHN providers,” he said.  “UT fans nationwide will now have access to this award-winning network that does such a great job in covering our university’s sports and academics programs. As we have said from day one, this is a long-term commitment and we are very proud of our partnership with ESPN.”

Dave Shull, DISH Executive VP and CCO also shared his thoughts on the brand new deal.  “DISH is the best place for college sports fans to follow the teams they love,” he said.  “ESPN has a long tradition of delivering the best in sports, and we are proud to be the first nationwide television provider of the Longhorn Network.”

More information on this new deal between ESPN and DISH is available online at http://espn.go.com and http://www.facebook.com/ESPN.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.