DirecTV has agreed to carry the SEC Network when it debuts August 14. Are you surprised? I’m not. The SEC was going to get a deal done and DirecTV would be foolish to ignore the content and fan base. The SEC Network is now available in 87 million households.
This went a lot smoother than the hard-line approach Larry Scott took with the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV. It’s sad when the conventional wisdom now is that approval of the AT&T-DirecTV merger is the only way to add the channel.
Wolf your nemesis Larry Scott is on the hook for this mess. Direct TV had a preliminary sense of being ‘held’ hostage by TWC in 2012 when the Lakers signed that exclusive deal with TWC. They also had an even smaller experience in Ohio with Reds broadcasting.
Here’s Larry Scott a full year late (August 2013) acting as if he has a clue of about west coast broadcasting – the second largest market in the country and – no go.
What is even more amazing is the Dodgers deal with TWC – they already knew Direct TV wasn’t all that happy with the Lakers deal and had already told the Pac-12 to get lost but hey we’ll force them to carry us anyway.
Yes Scott Wolf this is all on Larry Scott – the SEC Channel and no Pac-12 channel because once again what’s good for TWC is good for America.
So what approach did the SEC Network use in dealing with DirectTV Scottie? You claim it was different than the Pac-12, but how so?
It’s better to think long term when dealing with DirectTV and better to get the deal done when AT&T is a factor. Scottie, you really know nothing about the numbers. You have no idea of what DirectTV is insisting upon. What’s good for the SEC Network may not be good for the Pac-12. Or, do you feel one size fits all…unless they are Nikes?
Nice closure!
That’s true esp. with the impending merge w. AT&T nonetheless whatever was agreed to was not as onerous as what TWC wanted for the broadcast of LASN.
Scott is 100% right on this issue. Larry Scott is not being held accountable for poor television coverage to fans of their team and the conference. Doesn’t matter about the AT&T merger, another season will be lost. I thought it interesting that people would drop DTV because of this issue. I love my DTV but not for another season of no coverage. I have to go to my friends house to watch the Pac12 network on a regional cable channel. Total fricking BS!!! Scott, in all sincerity, please keep hammering on this issue. It is the most fan unfriendly experience, just like the Dodgers not being available. R U fricking kidding me?
I don’t know how Scottie could be 100% right if he doesn’t have the faintest idea of Direct TV’s negotiation demands. And he doesn’t. He doesn’t have the remotest clue about any of the negotiation point stalemates. If a deal isn’t reached, it’s always because one party isn’t willing to give up what another party demands. Do you happen to know what Direct TV’s demands are? If so, please clue me in. If the demands are reasonable, fine. Blame Larry and his advisors. I’m with you. If they insist on long-term ownership in the Pac-12 when everyone else doesn’t, I’ve got a problem with that. Since I get the Pac-12 Network on cable, I’m not as sensitive to this. It’s been great to watch. But, why is this all Larry’s fault? I guess Direct TV just gets a free pass for whatever they want, huh?
I just read that Kylie Fitts is leaving UCLA, worried about playing time. I wonder what Wolf’s take will be on this one and how it reflects on Kiffin.
That’s crazy….all these kids seemingly want immediate gratification….whatever happened to paying your dues?….Did you happen read the article in the LA Times Sports section yesterday about all of the high school transfers in FB and BB and the domino effect that it has with other schools? St. John Bosco has 20 transfers on their championship football team last season…
http://www.latimes[dot]com/sports/highschool/la-sp-malik-henry-transfers-20140803-story.html#page=1
http://www.latimes[dot]com/sports/highschool/la-sp-prep-sports-transfers-20140803-story.html#page=1
I think deep down he was always an SC guy. He’s dream girl stood him up and he “settled” for “Miss Congeniality” in his eyes…and then when he got to his 2nd choice, he found that there was still a ton of competition and better players. I am not sure he anticipated that. He had a decent Spring according to reports, but UCLA is very deep on the DL as is USC. He is probably going to get a better opportunity elsewhere.
He may be better served going to Hawaii, San Diego State or Fresno State. ….
Isn’t that Mr. Wang’s job?
As you know, Soviet…Wang went to a public school! Those guys suck! 😉 I have to believe there is a middle ground between Wolf’s banality and Wang’s inattention.
I don’t agree – personal effort has nothing to do w. where one was educated – I think Wang is either bored with his job or hasn’t a clue how to generate an engaging website. I’m betting it is both and the result is such as you and the rest ‘nesting’ here like an assortment of cuckoo birds, because this is where there is something interesting to comment on.
BTW LAA 5 LAD 0 – final. Loving it! Hoping for TB to win out over OAK and the Angels are tied for 1st w. the best record in MLB!
Pujols tagging up on first and taking second base on Puig’s lackadaisical play in center field was awesome!
Trout might have had an ‘inside the park home run’ in the 1st inning had he hit 1str base properly – had to go back and tag it again.
Mr. Wolf,
You fail to point out that the SEC. Network is owned by ESPN, while the PAC-12 Networks are owned solely by the Pac-12 schools.
Clearly ESPN carries much more weight in any negotiations with the satellite and cable systems.
A more accurate piece…
–
DirecTV reaches deal with ESPN to carry SEC Network
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
By Associated Press
BRISTOL, Conn. — DirecTV has reached a deal with ESPN to
carry the SEC Network when it launches.
The announced agreement Monday means the network will be
available in 87 million households when it goes on the air on Aug. 14.
DirecTV has about 20 million customers in the United States.
ESPN had already announced deals with other major satellite and cable
providers, including Dish Network, Time Warner Cable and Comcast Cable.
The network will air at least 45 SEC football games this
season, starting with Texas A&M-South Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 28.
It will broadcast more than 1,000 live events in its first
year.
ESPN and the SEC reached a 20-year deal through 2034 to
create and operate the SEC network.
—–
Why no mention of ESPN’s involvement?…..because it doesn’t serve your agenda, or are you just lazy?
What I’m concerned about is not only how this affects the Pac-12, as a whole, but also their national recruiting efforts……West coast high school football players seeing the SEC games regularly broadcast on DirecTV will only enhance the SCEC brand……. expect them to take full advantage of the Pac-12’s major lapse here..
If you entirely right, I’m surprised the Pac-12 Presidents and ADs, who care about $ big time, haven’t stepped in to talk some sense to him. Everyone has a boss, including Larry. All I’m saying is, I wish I knew what Scott has found so completely unpalatable. Would be interesting to see how we all lined up if we really knew why this bleak impasse exists because I sure as heck don’t.
Just signed up for DISH. 1/2 the money and I’ll get Pac-12. BOOM!!!
Good for you!