Charter, the area’s largest cable television provider, will be airing the ESPN-based SEC Network, which launches Thurs., Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. | Courtesy of espnmediazone.com

The ESPN-based Southeastern Conference Network is launching tomorrow Aug. 14 at 6 p.m., with Charter Communications, the area’s largest provider, offering the channel.

The initial broadcast will be a live simulcast of its flagship show “SEC Now” from all 14 SEC campuses. The show will include a video essay on the tradition, pride and history of the SEC narrated by 31 prominent athletes, coaches and more.

Charter was the last of the big five cable companies to sign with ESPN to air the network. ESPN and Charter announced Wed., Aug. 6 that they had finally reached an agreement.

Davonna Dews, Charter’s Business Account Executive for Morgan and Cullman Counties, said the SEC Network should be available to customers who have the basic expanded package.

“The SEC Network will not be on the basic package,” Dews said. “Customers will have to have the basic expanded package to receive the new channel. If they already have ESPN, they should get the new channel. Several people already have this, but those who want to upgrade can call their local Charter store.”

Dews said they are not sure exactly what the new channel number will be.

“We don’t know the new channel number yet, but I would guess it would be grouped with the other sports channels,” Dews said. “I recently came across a channel in the sports section I didn’t remember seeing that was labeled as some sort of regional coverage channel, so I would assume that would be the one reserved for the SEC Network.”

This addition to Charter’s services comes immediately after the conversion to an all-digital signal Tues., Aug. 12. This switch requires all Charter customers to have a digital box for each TV in their home.

New digital boxes can be picked up at the Charter store at 1630 Beltline Road in Decatur.

There have been a few reports of customers having issues with the compatibility of boxes and remotes with their TV sets. Some people reported returning to the Charter store multiple times to get the issues resolved.

Since the switch, Decatur’s Charter store has been very busy, setting up extra exchange stations throughout the store to accommodate the line that overflowed out the door.

Dews said she had not come across too many problems herself other than the large number of customers needing new boxes.

“I haven’t heard on many problems with the new boxes,” Dews said. “Any problems I have seen have been quickly resolved, but if anyone has technical issues they can call our Charter support team at 1-800-315-7195.”