Suddenlink and the Walt Disney Co. - owner and operator of ESPN - announced a multiyear distribution agreement this week that should excite many football fans.

As per the agreement, Suddenlink will carry the SEC Network when the ESPN-programmed channel launches Aug. 14. The St. Louis-based communications company will also carry the University of Texas-themed Longhorn Network, as well as provide the WatchESPN app.

Suddenlink will begin showing the Longhorn Network at the beginning of the 2014 college football season.

WatchESPN, which allows users to view ESPN network's live sports events and programs on computers and mobile devices, also will be available for Suddenlink customers in the fall.

"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," Kathy Payne, Suddenlink's senior vice president and chief programming officer, said in a news release.

Local Suddenlink representatives could not be contacted for comment.

Gene Regan, senior director of corporate communications at Suddenlink, said the specifics of the channel's programs have not been finalized, but they expect the programming to be offered in their expanded basic cable plans.

Regan said he was not aware of any immediate plans to change the price of a cable subscription due to the agreement and added he doesn't expect there to be one due to the networks.

DirecTV also signed with Disney to carry the SEC Network, but did not announce any information regarding the Longhorn Network. The SEC Network will be available on DirecTV's Choice services and higher packages in Texas.

A-J Media was also unable to contact DirecTV for information regarding prices.

The 24-hour SEC network will air its first game Aug. 28. The first of at least 45 SEC football games to air on the network will be between Texas A&M and South Carolina.

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