The Southeastern Conference will launch its own television network this August. The SEC Network, which will be operated by ESPN as part of a 20-year partnership, will carry hundreds of live sporting events including 45 SEC football games this year alone. And if you know anything about the SEC, it's that its fans love college football. So when DirecTV sent an email to its customers on Wednesday telling them they "have no current plans to carry the SEC Network," you can imagine it didn't go over so well. Take a look at the backlash on Twitter:
@DIRECTV , I'm one of thousands planning to cancel service if you don't carry the SEC NETWORK. Best get it together. # sec #secnetwork
— Douglas A. King (@douglasaking) February 19, 2014
Let's try an experiment. Retweet this if you would switch providers if @DIRECTV decides not carry the @SECNetwork.
— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) February 19, 2014
By not agreeing to carry the SEC network, @DIRECTV has just signed it's death certificate in the south.
— Ted Snow (@TedSnow) February 19, 2014
Entertaining reading of @DIRECTV mentions after revelation it doesn't plan to carry @SECNetwork. That's just not understanding an audience.
— Chaz Maddi (@TigerVisionary) February 19, 2014
Dear @DIRECTV : Pick up the @SECNetwork or I will be switiching carriers and leading as many @AggieAthletics fans as possible to do same
— Rusty Burson (@12thManRusty) February 19, 2014
And DirecTV is starting to backpedal:
DIRECTV is still in negotiations to bring SEC Network to customers. Check https://t.co/QDaZagBzUw for updates as season gets closer
— DIRECTV (@DIRECTV) February 19, 2014
@bhend7917 Thank you for letting us know that the SEC Network is important to you. I have forwarded your request to our programming team.
— DIRECTV Service (@DIRECTVService) February 19, 2014
@crdale1 We're still negotiating with SEC Network to bring this to your line up. Check https://t.co/s6mvpcb4bl for the latest updates.
— DIRECTV Service (@DIRECTVService) February 19, 2014
@StarkRavingCalm We're still negotiating with SEC Network to bring this to you. Check https://t.co/yrXTemyVro for the latest updates.
— DIRECTV Service (@DIRECTVService) February 19, 2014
There is speculation that this announcement by DirecTV is just a negotiating tactic. But if DirecTV's intention was to improve their bargaining power with the SEC Network, it appears the move has backfired and they're driving away a few customers in the process.
AT&T U-verse has already agreed to carry the SEC Network and it is believed Dish Network will too, although no deal has been formally announced. If you're curious, here's a cool video previewing the Network:
