With a little over a month left before the kickoff of the SEC Network, ESPN announced it had reached a carriage agreement with Cox Communications.
Southeastern Conference college sports action will be available on multiple platforms and across Cox’s entire footprint when it launches. Aug. 14. Authenticated Cox subscribers will also have access to additional live events on the SEC Network’s digital platform, with the ability to watch SEC Network content anytime, anywhere on their television, computer, tablet or mobile device.
The SEC Network and its accompanying digital platform will air more than 1,000 live events in its first year, 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.
“Cox is home to some of the biggest fans with five SEC schools in our markets,” said Jill Campbell, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Cox Communications. “This is great news for alumni and fans across our footprint who will enjoy all the action and rivalries that have become synonymous with SEC sports.”
Cox Communications serves five states located within the SEC. ESPN had previously reached deals with Dish Network along with AT&T U-verse, Google Fiber and NRTC to carry the SEC Network.
Disney-owned ESPN is rumored to be close to a deal with Comcast for the SEC Network, and is also working to sign up DirecTV, Charter Communications and other video service providers.
“The ground swell of consumer and affiliate demand increases by the day, and we continue to build on our momentum with the announcement of Cox Communications as our latest distributor that will deliver the SEC Network to fans at launch,” said Sean Breen, Disney and ESPN Media Networks senior vice president, affiliate sales.
Last year The Southeastern Conference and ESPN announced a 20-year agreement to operate the SEC Network. The first SEC Network game is South Carolina at Texas A&M on Aug. 28.
