re: great article about future SEC Network

I've been all for hating on the idea of WVU being #14 (especially after going there last week), but that article actually makes me think WVU is far less of a detriment to an eventual SEC cable network than I originally thought. Read that article again and tell me if it really matters whether the number of people in the SEC's immediate footprint is 83 million, or 79 million. Sounds to me like the difference will be marginal, at best...and the real money will depend more on SEC network partnerships and good timing than a 4 million person population difference

Combine this with other (far less important) factors than market size, such as WVU dying to be in the SEC when Mizzou would possibly jump for the Big 10, WVU having stronger football/basketball programs, WVU's reach into surrounding states (don't discount how many of their alumni are displaced), etc....it all makes me a little scared that I could be hearing "Country Roads" a bit more than I want to

you were right though...great article

I was hoping this article would get posted here. Honestly, it should be posted in the rant so that people understand the reasoning behind expansion more clearly.

If the SEC modeled their network like the BTN, it could be wildly successful. It also helps that the BTN has proven to work and brings in a ton of money.
The difference between charging people in the state of Texas the reduced rate for not having an SEC member and charging the increased rate for now having A&M is HUGE. Every school is going to get a nice fat check in the future.

***applauds***

It's also another good way to say Texas has fricked itself with the Longhorn Network.

Huh they aren't going to do a joint venture with the ACC. Why would they. Sec us much more valuable then an acc network. Nothing in it for the sec to do that.

farmer, this is the second time you have mentioned an ACC/SEC TV partnership...

This has got to be a part of the plan. The SEC Digital Network is already halfway there, they just need to complete the story. An SEC Network would probably get better ratings than ESPN in many Southern states.

I also think the possibilities for original programming are awesome. How about a tailgate competition featuring several rounds of elimination with representatives from each school? Or maybe a bass fishing tournament with SEC coaches? How about lots of shows in the ESPN "30 on 30" fashion? How about a show emphasizing SEC players in the NFL? How about a show featuring a "super fan" every week from different schools and showing their unique dedication to their school?

Since it would be SEC wide you could also put HS content on it without having the issues the LHN had and you could have recruiting shows since they would be unbiased. This would also be a great venue for promoting all of the minor sports for the SEC, especially baseball. Right now the best baseball is in the SEC by a mile and there is really no effort being done to show the tradition and pageantry of SEC baseball (A&M will be a nice add here as well). The SEC also dominates T&F which is basically ignored elsewhere.

The football is certainly the entree but there is definitely a complete meal there. Something special about the SEC is all of the traditions and extra stuff going on that you can highlight and garner interest from people besides just the football, it's about the total experience and culture.

As for WVU, the real problem there comes down to the academics. If they were even average that would be fine but they are horrific and would be the lowest rated school in the SEC. Remember University Presidents are the ones that vote and they are going to have to be convinced to lower their own schools value (all schools are rated somewhat by who is in their conference as well as who they are) to add WVU and I just don't see it. WVU just doesn't add enough to overcome that. They would almost certainly never be better than a middle tier SEC school in football or other sports (maybe basketball) and they will never have the resources to really compete with the big boys of the SEC. It's a declining population state with no money and no more than a small influence on some mid level TV markets outside the state like Pittsburgh. I just don't see WVU ever getting the votes unless something drastic changes.

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Since it would be SEC wide you could also put HS content on it without having the issues the LHN had and you could have recruiting shows since they would be unbiased.

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I would prefer that no high school content be on the channel or any channel directly associated with college football.

too much potential for conflict of interest...one school may benefit more because they have more commits' games being aired...

40% of the subscriptions fees for

New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina ain't shabby.

Keep in mind the SEACC will deliver two conferences and the subscription fees will be 60% to 80% higher than the B1G Network. While the B1G receives $0 .90 cents from subscribers in eight states; the SEACC Network would receive about $1.60 from subscribers in 20 states. 60% = $0.96, 50% = $0.80, 40% = $0.64.
So yes $0.64 for all subscribers in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina is more than $0.15. Coupled with the fact you would generate 4 times more subscribers partnered with the ACC in most of these states than an exclusive SEC Network would @ $0.15 makes it an even greater revenue stream. Keep in mind the ACC isn’t going to sit back and watch the B1G and SEC networks generate all this revenue without launching one themselves. Separate SEC and ACC Networks would be in direct competition for subscribers in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. In these states in this situation whose fans are more likely to subscribe to both networks. Remember we are talking 3rd tier rights and most of SEC football is already available nationally. Yes the SEC would yield 40% of their subscription fees to the ACC in the other SEC states but the only really big fish there is Texas. But still you would be receiving $0.96 per subscriber which is more than the B1G is getting in their 8 base states.