The SEC and CBS have announced a 15-year extension on the contract for broadcasting rights to football and men’s basketball. Tony Barnhart reports on the “landmark deal” in the AJC. There were no details about the financial terms, but you have to imagine that they don’t suck.

Barnhart notes that, “This new deal with CBS does not eliminate the possibility of an SEC television network. That won’t be determined until the SEC announces the remainder of its television contracts with ESPN and Raycom.”

There are three key changes in the deal which I can’t see as anything but positive.

• CBS will get the first pick of games every week. Barnhart reminds us that currently “ESPN got the first pick a few weeks out of the season.”
• There will be one prime time CBS game per season.
• CBS will considering streaming some games on the internet.

The relationship with CBS has been fantastic, and they always dedicate top-notch production and broadcasting talent to the SEC games. Hopefully we’ll get to see many more years of Uncle Verne enjoying a game in Sanford Stadium.