CBS SPORTS AND SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE AGREE TO BLOCKBUSTER 15 YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

CBS Sports has reached a historic 15-year contract extension with the Southeastern Conference to broadcast its football and basketball games, it was announced today by Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports and Mike Slive, Commissioner of the SEC.

In the new agreement, beginning with the 2009-10 season, CBS Sports continues to be the exclusive national network broadcaster of SEC home football games, including the SEC Championship Game. CBS Sports will showcase the top conference matchups each week of the package with the “SEC Game of the Week”. The agreement also includes a prime time game and doubleheader opportunities. In addition, CBS Sports continues its coverage of SEC regular-season basketball.

"This landmark deal allows THE SEC ON CBS to continue to be a cornerstone of our fall programming for many years to come,” said McManus. “The agreement provides CBS Sports with the opportunity to showcase the excitement, pageantry and rich traditions of the SEC across all CBS platforms. We are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with one of the premiere conferences in the nation."

"The Southeastern Conference is proud to continue its association with CBS Sports,” said Dr. Lee Todd, President of the University of Kentucky and the Southeastern Conference. “This national network agreement provides a unique platform to share both the athletic and academic achievements of the 12 member institutions."

"The SEC is the gold standard in college athletics, and we are proud to be associated with this great conference and its outstanding administrators, coaches and student-athletes,” said Mike Aresco, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “The length of this deal is a testament to the great brand that THE SEC ON CBS has become."

"The Southeastern Conference is extremely pleased to extend its long-standing relationship with CBS Sports,” added Slive. THE SEC ON CBS enables the conference to continue its unique full, national network exposure. We have enjoyed working with CBS Sports over the past 13 years and we are excited about our long-term future."

In addition to the broadcast rights on CBS Sports, this comprehensive long-team deal includes certain digital, internet, wireless, Video-on-Demand, data and enhanced highlight rights across all CBS platforms, including CBS College Sports Network and CBSSports.com. Also, simulcasts of CBS Sports games will be available for distribution by the CBS College Sports Network.

Saw some guy on the train the other day with a "SEC on CBS" hat. Good to know that hat won't become outdated any time soon. I find CBS' coverage of the SEC to be very good.

Great deal for us SEC fans, CBS is the best in the biz and we don't need another NCAA conference channel.

I agree I love watching these games on Satirday's and CBS by far has the best HD in CFB. We have only 8 days to go before it all starts I can't wait.

I guess that means no SEC network in the near future

I guess that means no SEC network in the near future

I think they can do both just like the Big ten is doing

I think they can do both just like the Big ten is doing

With already having coverage on a lower tier cable sports channel (CBS College Sports and Comcast/Charter Sports), I don't think they would have enough content to launch another channel. Maybe if the SEC, CBS and Comcast got into a nasty 3-way and converted the CSS channel into an SEC channel, but that would have to wait for their ACC contracts to expire.

With already having coverage on a lower tier cable sports channel (CBS College Sports and Comcast/Charter Sports), I don't think they would have enough content to launch another channel. Maybe if the SEC, CBS and Comcast got into a nasty 3-way and converted the CSS channel into an SEC channel, but that would have to wait for their ACC contracts to expire.

You maybe right about that. I am happy that CBS got the contract again as I think they do a great job presenting the games. There is nothing like SEC football as far as I am concerned anyways.

With already having coverage on a lower tier cable sports channel (CBS College Sports and Comcast/Charter Sports), I don't think they would have enough content to launch another channel. Maybe if the SEC, CBS and Comcast got into a nasty 3-way and converted the CSS channel into an SEC channel, but that would have to wait for their ACC contracts to expire.

The big bad part of Comcast/Charter is no satellite customers allowed, they slammed the door in the face of millions of viewers with that contract.

Wow, all you yankees praising the SEC. What does that tell you?

Wolfie

Good news. I just wish our local CBS didn't multicast and f'up the PQ.

Wow, all you yankees praising the SEC. What does that tell you?

Wolfie

That the ACC and Big East suck;)

I have always followed SEC football there is no better entertainment than SEC football. Someday I am going to make the trip south and experience a full gameday experience. I have no favorite team so I don't care where I go.

That the ACC and Big East suck;)

I have always followed SEC football there is no better entertainment than SEC football. Someday I am going to make the trip south and experience a full gameday experience. I have no favorite team so I don't care where I go.
Go to Ole Miss to the Grove.

Go to Ole Miss to the Grove.

That would be a pretty cool place to go I also would like to go to a Saturday night game at LSU.

Go to Ole Miss to the Grove.

I've heard this is a great experience as well (not that there's anything lacking with UGA tailgates :D)

I'm kind of disappointed there's nothing in there about broadcasting more games on CBS College Sports, it would be nice if they'd add say a pick after Raycom so we don't end up with the situation we've got next Saturday with the #1 school in the country on cable-exclusive PPV :mad: (yeah it'll be on Gameplan but that doesn't help those of us in the blackout area)

I've heard this is a great experience as well (not that there's anything lacking with UGA tailgates :D)

I'm kind of disappointed there's nothing in there about broadcasting more games on CBS College Sports, it would be nice if they'd add say a pick after Raycom so we don't end up with the situation we've got next Saturday with the #1 school in the country on cable-exclusive PPV :mad: (yeah it'll be on Gameplan but that doesn't help those of us in the blackout area)

I am sure each school provides something unique as far as the tailgating and game experience goes but one thing they alll have in common is hot babes:) which always adds to the enjoyment of SEC football

I've heard this is a great experience as well (not that there's anything lacking with UGA tailgates :D)

I'm kind of disappointed there's nothing in there about broadcasting more games on CBS College Sports, it would be nice if they'd add say a pick after Raycom so we don't end up with the situation we've got next Saturday with the #1 school in the country on cable-exclusive PPV :mad: (yeah it'll be on Gameplan but that doesn't help those of us in the blackout area)
Yeah I'd like to go to a night LSU game and also to UGA. My dad graduated from UGA so I'm sure I'll make it sometime.

Personally I've never had gameplan as I get so many games on regular TV and then throw in Sports Pack I can't find the time to watch all of them. Now almost all of them are in HD.

That the ACC and Big East suck;)

I have always followed SEC football there is no better entertainment than SEC football. Someday I am going to make the trip south and experience a full gameday experience. I have no favorite team so I don't care where I go.

Make it a Bama home game and you won't regret it.

Wolfie

Make it a Bama home game and you won't regret it.

Wolfie

I am sure I wouldn't. I would love to go to the Bama vs Auburn game someday I am sure that is a very huge event. I have been to TX vs OK a few times backin the late 80's and that was pretty amazing. People up here in the NE have no idea what CFB is all about it is to bad they miss out on the greatest sport of them all.

That would be a pretty cool place to go I also would like to go to a Saturday night game at LSU.

You make an excellent point as a big night game in Tiger Stadium is one of the premier experiences in college football. However, I'm bummed this year because it looks like our only two CBS 'headliner' games (UGA & BAMA) are slated for a 2:30 start. Who likes 2:30? It's hotter, less tailgating time, the schools make less money, plus there's all kinds of mystique and tradition associated that we fans enjoy. Sadly, between CBS, ESPN, and Lincoln Financial, it appears there will only be a couple night home games period this year. :mad:

My question is why don't they do more prime-time games? You'd think they'd learn after the 7:00 start for the LSU-Florida 2007 game busted all kinds of ratings records and was also one of the more incredible games of the season on top of that. Ironically the lone prime time game on the slate this year is LSU-Florida, but that's in Gainesville. It'll be huge either way, but the night-effect doesn't carry the same meaning over there.

I guess people would rather watch CSI [insert random city here] rerun than some of the biggest SEC games of the year? :confused:

You make an excellent point as a big night game in Tiger Stadium is one of the premier experiences in college football. However, I'm bummed this year because it looks like our only two CBS 'headliner' games (UGA & BAMA) are slated for a 2:30 start. Who likes 2:30? It's hotter, less tailgating time, the schools make less money, plus there's all kinds of mystique and tradition associated that we fans enjoy. Sadly, between CBS, ESPN, and Lincoln Financial, it appears there will only be a couple night home games period this year. :mad:

My question is why don't they do more prime-time games? You'd think they'd learn after the 7:00 start for the LSU-Florida 2007 game busted all kinds of ratings records and was also one of the more incredible games of the season on top of that. Ironically the lone prime time game on the slate this year is LSU-Florida, but that's in Gainesville. It'll be huge either way, but the night-effect doesn't carry the same meaning over there.

I guess people would rather watch CSI [insert random city here] rerun than some of the biggest SEC games of the year? :confused:

Well that just plain sucks they are ruining my CFB viewing:mad:That is a great question why not more primetime games and one that I don't have an answer to.

I hope ESPN picks up a couple of Saturday night games down there.



I like CSI but not on CFB Saturday nights.

steverobertson - Any game would be a good one to go to, but I think you might like the Fla/GA game in Jacksonville - you would get a good feel for two fan bases that truly dislike each other and it is 50/50.

As a Gator Grad, I am not afraid to admit those Ga girls do look nice in those black dresses.

steverobertson - Any game would be a good one to go to, but I think you might like the Fla/GA game in Jacksonville - you would get a good feel for two fan bases that truly dislike each other and it is 50/50.

As a Gator Grad, I am not afraid to admit those Ga girls do look nice in those black dresses.

I lived in Atlanta a while back and almosty got to go to that game but my boss said eith er the game or your job and at that time I really didn't have a choice. I agree that also would be a great game to go to. This year should be real interesting if they both can go in undefeted.

Ga girls are pretty awesome I fell in love a million times living in Atlanta:)