In a significant multi-platform college sports play, Cingular gets the rights to exclusive mobile video content from the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference — including game highlights and press conferences — and will be the exclusive presenting sponsor of a rebranded SEC portal. Cingular will be the only sponsor for the site’s video on demand and the portal is being rebranded “SECsports.com powered by Cingular.” The multi-year deal with Host Communications, which manages the SEC’s corporate sponsorship program, covers scores, news and more but clearly video is the main attraction. No terms are being disclosed.
Neither are Cingular’s plans for the mobile content, which could wind up as a subscription package. The SEC is one of the most powerful and popular conferences, particularly when it comes to football, and this is the kind of content that should draw fans’ dollars if it’s not overpriced. Release.
Update: Cingular will not charge directly for SEC content. Instead, a spokesman tells me the wireless company has a different subscription plan in mind — unlimited data. Regular data charges will apply, which would rack up fast with video highlights. The carrier will “recommend highly” a switch to unlimited data. Plans run from about $20 (phone) to $45 (PDA).
Also, if the proposed AT&T-BellSouth merger is approved and Cingular is rebranded, the sponsorship will switch to AT&T.
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