The SEC won't release a clear picture of the TV time slots and regional networks involved until SEC Media Days in July, but the Birmingham News is starting to fill in the gaps. The biggest thing...understanding the TV pecking order for football. (Image: AL.com. Click to enlarge for a readable version). It goes like this:1. CBS - First pick of the best game every week. CBS gets two double headers which will be Oct. 10th and the Thanksgiving weekend in 2009. The selection order for one of the double headers isn't as cut and dried as CBS gets first pick. But that's basically it.
2. ESPN/ESPN 2 - As you can see in the graphic above, they will average almost two games per week between the two networks. No time slots are announced yet.
3. ESPNU/ESPN Classic - Typically one game per week, and it will most likely be a night game per prior announcements. ESPNU has recently reached agreements with Comcast and other providers so you should be getting it soon. ESPNU is available in HD, but who knows if Comcast will provide it immediately.
4. ESPN Regional - This is not a network. It's a syndication company that signs deals with third parties to televise the rest of the SEC football and basketball games not shown by options 1-3. So far ESPN Regional has lined up CSS TV (available to Comcast and Charter clients) for six football and 20 basketball games per year. According to the B'ham news above, they are also in discussions with Fox Sports South for an additional package of games. Lastly, ESPN Regional works with local TV stations inside and outside of the SEC geographic footprint for TV distribution deals. According to the AJC, they have selected Peachtree TV as their partner in Atlanta.
2. ESPN/ESPN 2 - As you can see in the graphic above, they will average almost two games per week between the two networks. No time slots are announced yet.
3. ESPNU/ESPN Classic - Typically one game per week, and it will most likely be a night game per prior announcements. ESPNU has recently reached agreements with Comcast and other providers so you should be getting it soon. ESPNU is available in HD, but who knows if Comcast will provide it immediately.
4. ESPN Regional - This is not a network. It's a syndication company that signs deals with third parties to televise the rest of the SEC football and basketball games not shown by options 1-3. So far ESPN Regional has lined up CSS TV (available to Comcast and Charter clients) for six football and 20 basketball games per year. According to the B'ham news above, they are also in discussions with Fox Sports South for an additional package of games. Lastly, ESPN Regional works with local TV stations inside and outside of the SEC geographic footprint for TV distribution deals. According to the AJC, they have selected Peachtree TV as their partner in Atlanta.
Peachtree TV is best know as the home of the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta Comcast subscribers can find Peachtree TV in HD on Channel 802.
It's good news all around.
PWD
PS - Sorry for the lack of posting. Things have been insane at work, but I still have a real job so it can't be that bad.
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