Suddenlink cable subscribers in Bryan/College Station will be getting the SEC and the Longhorn Networks on expanded basic service.
Suddenlink spokesman Pete Abel says channel numbers should be announced later this week.
Both sports networks are part of ESPN, which is part of Disney.
Abel says a new multi-year deal between Suddenlink and Disney was the reason for what some considered to be lengthy negotiations.
Late Monday, DIRECTV sent a tweet announcing an agreement to add the SEC Network.
Click below for comments from Pete Abel, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
News release courtesy of Suddenlink:
Suddenlink and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced a broad multi-year distribution agreement to deliver Disney’s robust lineup of top quality sports, news and entertainment content to Suddenlink TV customers across televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and connected devices. The renewal agreement enhances the multichannel business model and supports the companies’ mutual goal to deliver the best video content to customers across multiple platforms.
“A number of our customers have expressed interest in the SEC and Longhorn Networks, and a sizable majority have told us how much they value Disney networks like ESPN and ABC Family,” said Kathy Payne, Suddenlink Senior Vice President and Chief Programming Officer. “We’re very pleased we can provide those customers what they’ve said they want, and we’d like to specially thank the SEC and Longhorn fans who contacted us for their enthusiasm and patience, as we worked with Disney to complete this comprehensive, long-term agreement.”
“Suddenlink TV customers will benefit greatly from this latest multi-year renewal agreement,” added Sean Breen, Senior Vice President, Affiliate Sales, Disney & ESPN Networks Group. “Not only will they continue to receive top quality content from Disney and ESPN networks ahead of the new fall programming slate and upcoming football season, but also additional, highly sought after services.”
As part of the new multi-year deal, Suddenlink will introduce several new services, including the upcoming SEC Network at launch on August 14 and Longhorn Network, beginning with the 2014-15 college football season. In addition, beginning this fall, Suddenlink plans to introduce Fusion and the full suite of authenticated WATCH services, including WatchESPN. Continuing services covered by the broad scope of this agreement include: ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN3, video-on-demand services and retransmission consent for KABC-TV in Los Angeles, WTVD-TV in Raleigh-Durham, KTRK-TV in Houston and KFSN-TV in Fresno.
Tweets from Suddenlink and DIRECTV of adding the SEC Network.