WatchESPN Apple TV channel gains SEC and Longhorn Network programming

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College football fans will be happy to hear that WatchESPN has expanded its NCAA coverage on Apple TV. The sports-focused streaming video channel now features programming from the SEC Network and The Longhorn Network.

The SEC Network is a joint venture between the Southeastern Conference and ESPN, and it will cover over 1000 live sporting events per year. And of course, The Longhorn Network is centered around the University of Texas athletics…

Here’s a description of SEC Network from the launch press release:

SEC Network + — exclusively available on SECNetwork.com and via WatchESPN — will add live and on-demand coverage of more than 550 digital-exclusive sporting events to the SEC Network multi-screen output in the first year. Ranging across multiple sports from all member schools, SEC Network + events will all be high-quality, multi-camera productions – enabled by extensive new technological and production capabilities built out by ESPN and SEC schools in support of the SEC Network launch.

In addition to authenticated access to the SEC Network and SEC Network + (via laptops and desktops; access via iOS and Android smartphones and tablets is via WatchESPN), SEC Network + will also serve as a platform to deliver additional events produced by the schools and SECNetwork.com will also feature original short clips, video from studio programs, original digital video projects and more.

And a little bit about the Longhorn Network:

The Longhorn Network (LHN) is a American regional sports cable and satellite television network that is owned as a joint venture between the University of Texas at Austin, ESPN and IMG College, and is operated by ESPN (itself owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company and the Hearst Corporation). The network, which launched on August 26, 2011, focuses on the Texas Longhorns varsity sports teams of the University of Texas at Austin.

The Longhorn Network features events from 20 different sports involving the Texas Longhorns athletics department, along with original and historical programming. The network also features academic and cultural content from the UT Austin campus.

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As with most Apple TV channel content, you’ll need to be a subscriber at a supported cable provider in order to gain access. So this obviously won’t appeal to cable-cutters, but it does provide an easy way for fans to follow their schools.

Earlier today, a new standalone channel landed on Apple TV called NFL Now, which offers highlights, commentary and breaking news for the National Football League. None of today’s additions require you to update your ATV software.

[MacRumors]