Media reacts to SEC’s new megadeal with ESPN, ABC for TV coverage
By Jake Rill
Published:
Big changes are coming to TV coverage of the SEC after the 2023 season.
On Thursday, Disney announced that ESPN/ABC has reached a 10-year agreement beginning in 2024 that will land the family of networks the top SEC game each week, rights that are currently held by CBS until the end of the 2023 season. The “SEC on ABC” coverage headlines the new agreement, which will also include coverage of the SEC Championship Game.
There will be some other changes as well, including some games being aired on ESPN+, more scheduling flexibility and exclusive coverage of SEC men’s basketball.
Once the big news was announced, there was plenty of reaction across social media. Here’s some of what was being said on Twitter following the announcement:
ESPN landing the SEC is huge for them. Massive addition to their lineup.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 10, 2020
Did ESPN also acquire the rights to the SEC on CBS music? https://t.co/WsT9BbcjtO
— Barstool Texas A&M (@BarstoolTexasAM) December 10, 2020
I fixed the audio for you @SEC @ABC @espn pic.twitter.com/N8Mwh6PqA1
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyTV) December 10, 2020
Have ESPN+ already and am unaffected, but still blows that fans already shelling out for an SEC Network-level cable package have to shell out for a streaming service on top of it if they want to watch all their team's games https://t.co/59YcfhQCB6
— Jerry Hinnen (@JerryHinnen) December 10, 2020
Good gawd. CBS was paying the SEC $55 million for TV rights. @sbjsbd says ESPN/ABC is going to pay upwards of $300 million.
— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) December 10, 2020
SEC football on ESPN+ is a heck of a get. I think we all know a lot of people who will gladly pay for a month of ESPN+ to watch their team play one non-conference game. https://t.co/cLqScceYaa
— Brett Hudson (@Brett_Hudson) December 10, 2020
Wait until all the recently let go @espn employees and athletes find out how much this contract with the @SEC is worth. pic.twitter.com/FKllIt1KOf
— David Schultz (@Schultzycast) December 10, 2020
SEC announces Disney (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network and SEC Network+) now have premier distribution rights for the next ten years.
"Under the new agreement, a number of game times and broadcast windows will be announced in advance of the season"
THANK YOU
— Daren Stoltzfus WESH (@DarenStoltzfus) December 10, 2020
So, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network — Vandy games are about to be on ESPN+/Disney+.
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) December 10, 2020
SEC football is coming to ABC/ESPN full time starting in 2024.
Will the Big Ten turn more to Fox? Go into a deeper relationship with ABC:ESPN? Does CBS want inventory?
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) December 10, 2020
So now that the news is out about #SEC and Disney/ESPN.. what's there to add at this much-hyped presser?
Baby Yoda has the call on the primetime games? #WatchThatIWould pic.twitter.com/f2fKydz1Gh
— 11Alive Sports (@11AliveSports) December 10, 2020
Any chance that in this new tv rights deal, CBS retains the rights to the Kick Six clip so we don’t have to see that again?
— Jimmy Stein (@qb_country) December 10, 2020
Great news!
This part will be really good for our fans –
“Introduction of a modernized, more fan-friendly scheduling process, with many game windows solidified earlier while providing flexibility to maximize the exposure of the Conference's biggest games”#RollTide ??? https://t.co/S3OIEbzJWf
— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) December 10, 2020
@ Gary Danielson https://t.co/gA9luOu99n pic.twitter.com/ONXSjiQ0UR
— For Whom the Cowbell Tolls (@mstatesports) December 10, 2020
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
