<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Get The Picture]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://blutarsky.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[Senator Blutarsky]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://blutarsky.wordpress.com/author/blutarsky/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Mike Slive&#8217;s new&nbsp;baby]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>Okay, <a href="http://www.macon.com/2013/05/02/2463023/sec-network-is-official-now-the.html" target="_blank">the SEC Network is now a reality</a>.  It&#8217;s a 20-year deal with ESPN.  (Will we even be watching TV in 2034?)</p>
<p>There&#8217;s one little tidbit in all the details I hadn&#8217;t anticipated.</p>
<blockquote><p>As for game times, CBS will retain the first pick for which SEC game it wants each week. After that, Slive said scheduling discussions go to what he called a &#8220;content board.&#8221; Basically any other game will be on an ESPN platform, including the SEC Network, with other outlets for what Slive called &#8220;overflow&#8221; games.</p>
<p><strong>But CBS won&#8217;t have an exclusive window for its 3:30 p.m. games. The SEC Network or ESPN could have a game going on at that time too.  </strong><em>[Emphasis added.]<br />
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<p>That&#8217;s&#8230; interesting.  Is there a little message sending going on there to a CBS that is perhaps a bit recalcitrant in ponying up a few more bucks for Slive&#8217;s new, improved 14-school SEC?  Or is it more outright, say, &#8220;pay us for the exclusivity, if you want it&#8221;?</p>
<p>Of course, it would be a little weird to have a conference network not showing football mid-afternoon Saturdays.  But I can&#8217;t imagine the suits at CBS were happy about it when they heard the news.</p>
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