ESPN is a sports television channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland owned by American sports broadcaster ESPN Inc. The channel launched on 3 August 2009.[1] Programming is available in standard definition and high definition formats.
The channel launched on 3 August 2009 as a result of ESPN's acquisition of partial UK broadcast rights to the Premier League six weeks prior, caused in turn by the financial difficulties of Setanta Sports, which ceased broadcasting in Great Britain at about the same time.[2] It marked ESPN's first foray into live coverage of domestic sports events in the UK, which had previously been dominated by terrestrial networks such as the BBC and ITV, as well as pay services Sky Sports and Setanta. Prior to August 2009, ESPN's only operations in the UK were archive sports channel ESPN Classic, as well as the pan-European ESPN America channel, which focuses on North American sport.
A carriage and retail agreement for both residential and commercial customers was struck with British Sky Broadcasting, who sell the channel through their Sky platform. A discount is available to Sky Sports subscribers.[1] British Sky Broadcasting's Sky Media also acts as ad sales house for the channel.[3] A select number of events have also been aired on Sky 3D including the Winter X Games XV, 2011 FA Cup Final and 2011 NBA Finals.[4][5][6] From 22 July 2011, ESPN has also been made available for free to full Sky Sports Pack subscribers in Ireland.[7]
ESPN is also available on Virgin Media in standard and high definition as a part of the XL pack. M or L pack customers can subscribe to ESPN, ESPN America and ESPN HD. A discount is available to Sky Sports subscribers.[8]
Top Up TV has carried ESPN from 4 August 2009. A connection fee applies to non Top Up TV subscribers, ex-Setanta digital terrestrial television customers or those without a viewing card.[9][10] On 26 July 2011, Top Up TV announced that ESPN will be available via a conditional-access module when it launches its Top Up TV CAM service in August.[11]
BT Vision has carried ESPN from 4 August 2009 as part of BT Vision's Value Packs (Bronze, Silver and Gold).[12][13]
On both BT Vision and Top Up TV, ESPN only broadcasts from 14:00 - 04:00 on weekdays, 11:00 - 06:00 on Saturday and 11:00 – 04:00 on Sunday.[14]
TalkTalk TV (then known as Tiscali TV) has carried ESPN from 14 August 2009, along with ESPN America.[15]
ESPN is also available on Smallworld Cable for free when taken with the Ultimate HD TV Pack. Other customers can subscribe to ESPN, a discount is available to Sky Sports subscribers.[16]
On 14 August 2009, a deal with cable company UPC Ireland and ESPN was reached. On that date ESPN and ESPN HD launched on UPC.[17] A discount is available to Sky Sports or Setanta Sports 1 subscribers. ESPN America ceased to be part of the Setanta Sports package on that date and became bundled with ESPN instead. On 4 January 2010, UPC and ESPN announced a new deal whereby ESPN (including its HD counterpart) and ESPN America would become part of UPC's Digital Select Extra and Digital Max packages.[18] Subscribers to the basic Digital Value package can still subscribe to ESPN and ESPN America as premium channels under the previous pricing arrangements.
ESPN have held a number of free periods, ranging between a weekend and a month.[19][20] In February 2012, a free weekend covered a Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham, marking the first time that a Premier League fixture had been broadcast free-to-air in the UK.[21] During the same weekend the channel was also available on TVCatchup.[22]
On 7 September 2010, ESPN announced that it would air Monday Night Football, the longest-running and most successful primetime sports show in US television history, from 13 September. Each week, ESPN will air the big Monday night clashes in the National Football League, led by chief commentator Mike Tirico and supported by co-commentators Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden.
Coverage will be preceded by Monday Night Countdown, anchored by Chris Berman, with analysis coming from Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson on ESPN's sister channel ESPN America.
On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced a deal to air EuroBasket.[24] On 30 September 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured a multi-year deal to show live National Basketball Association games.[25] The channel show up to three live matches a week during the NBA season in standard and high definition, including one game at Sunday primetime. It also carries NBA All-Star Games and action from the season playoffs and final. ESPN also broadcast studio shows NBA Fastbreak and NBA Action.
Live pre-season coverage began on ESPN on 6 October 2009 when the Utah Jazz took on the Chicago Bulls as part of NBA Europe Live Tour. Coverage continued on 8 October 2009 for Utah Jazz against Euroleague Basketball's Real Madrid Baloncesto. The NBA season officially started on 27 October 2009.
On 22 July 2010, ESPN agreed a deal with the West Indies Cricket Board for exclusive UK broadcast rights to the inaugural Caribbean T20 Tournament.[26] The event, which ran from 22–31 July, featured eight West Indian Twenty20 teams, including Barbados, Combined Campuses and Colleges, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Toboago and the Windward Islands competing to win the Caribbean Twenty20 title.
The company announced on 22 June 2009 that it had secured the UK broadcast rights to the Premier League for four seasons, airing 46 games in the 2009-10 season and 23 games a year for the following three seasons, following a missed payment by Setanta Sports which voided their contracts.[2][27] In Ireland, ESPN will air the same 46 matches during the 2009-10 season.[28]
Premier League coverage was produced by Sky Sports in-house production team, with former BBC presenter Ray Stubbs hosting, while Rebecca Lowe reports from the touchline and Jon Champion commentates alongside either Chris Waddle or Craig Burley.[29] Kevin Keegan is the lead analyst, while Guus Hiddink, Shaka Hislop, Frank Leboeuf, Danny Murphy, Peter Reid, Matt Holland and Ian Wright were also signed to provide analysis.[31][32] Mark Chapman, Nat Coombs and Kelly Cates also form a part of the line up. IMG Sports Media make the studio shows and ancillary programming.[33] The first Premier League match to be shown on ESPN was Everton's 6-1 loss against Arsenal.[34]
From the 2010-11 season Sky no longer produce coverage of matches, instead coverage was taken over by IMG Sports Media, in an effort to offer “quality and innovation” and introduce new technology from the broadcaster’s US parent to help develop post-match analysis.[35][36] The change also affects FA Cup and Scottish Premier League coverage. ESPN have also increased the number of cameras at games from an average of 16 cameras to 23.[37]
On 7 December 2009, it was reported that ESPN had secured the rights to 25 live and exclusive FA Cup matches per season from the 2010-11 season.[38] The contract will run for four seasons and all matches will be broadcast in high definition.[39]
ESPN will televise two matches in the FA Cup First and Second Rounds (plus up to two replays per round), three matches from the Third to Fifth Rounds (plus up to one replay), two Quarter-Finals (plus up to one replay), one Semi-Final and simulcast of the FA Cup Final (on both ESPN and ITV) for each of the next four seasons. ITV will continue to have the first pick of the matches.
ESPN's offer is thought to have been 60% higher than that tabled by the BBC, however, that bid is also understood to be for a longer contract period and still worth substantially less than the amount paid by Setanta.[38]
As part of a four year deal for FA Cup coverage, formally announced on 8 December 2009, ESPN has exclusive media rights for the inaugural FA Women's Super League in 2011.[39]
On 16 July 2009, it was announced that ESPN had secured the broadcast rights to 30 live Scottish Premier League games per season across the UK and Ireland, for five seasons, starting with the 2009-10 season. Sky Sports have also shown 30 lives games per season during this period, including each of the Old Firm games. The SPL retained the right to opt out of the final two seasons of the deal.[40] On 21 November 2011, ESPN's deal with the SPL was extended for five years from the 2012-13 season.[41] Ray Stubbs hosts, with Derek Rae and Craig Burley commentating.[42] Darrell Currie is touchline reporter and regular studio guests include Colin Hendry, Mark Hateley, Terry Butcher and Scott Booth.
The first SPL fixture broadcast on the channel was Dundee United's 2–0 victory over Hearts on 17 August 2009.[43]
On 1 September 2009, ESPN secured a three-year TV rights deal to broadcast matches from the UEFA Europa League, previously held by Setanta Sports. At a minimum, ESPN will broadcast one match from each kick-off slot.[44][45] On 17 October 2011, ESPN were also awarded part of the rights to the 2012-13 to 2014-15 seasons.[46]
ESPN share the rights to the Europa League with Channel 5 and ITV. As part of the deal, ESPN serve as host broadcaster for any live home matches featuring British clubs that it is transmitting and have the rights to air matches over the internet and via mobile wireless technologies.
During the inaugural season of the Europa League, ESPN broadcast live matches featuring British teams Celtic, Everton, Liverpool and Fulham, as well as 45 other European clubs, including holders Shakhtar Donetsk. ESPN were only host broadcasters for two matches, Everton's 2-1 first-leg victory over Sporting Lisbon on 16 February and Fulham's 4-1 second-leg victory over Juventus on 18 March.
On 28 July 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured television rights to show up to two live games per week from the Eredivisie, Portuguese Liga, up to two live games per week from the Russian Premier League and the remainder of the 2009 Major League Soccer season, including five play-off games and the MLS Cup 2009. For the 2010-11 season ESPN renewed its contracts for the Eredivisie and Russian Premier League and will also broadcast at least two matches each week from the Major League Soccer season, including play-off games.
ESPN signed a multi-year deal for up to five live games per week from the German Bundesliga, a selection of which is in high definition, as well as weekly preview and highlight programmes. During the 2010-11 season, ESPN will also broadcast the quarter finals, semi-finals and final from the DFB-Pokal.[49]
On 5 August 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured the rights for up to three live Serie A matches per week for the 2009-10 season as well as the Coppa Italia.[50] ESPN also showed the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana which took place on 8 August 2009. For the 2010-11 season ESPN will air at least two games per week from Serie A, as well as a selection of Coppa Italia games. ESPN will continue to broadcast ESPN Kicks - recapping all of the weekend's goals, as well as weekly preview show, Total Italian Football.
The first international football match shown on ESPN was the pre-season friendly match between Russia and Argentina on 12 August 2009, which saw Argentina win 3-2. The first youth international match was the European Under-21 Championship qualification match between England under-21s and FYR Macedonia under-21s on 4 September 2009, which England won 2-1.
On 5 October 2009, ESPN secured a multi-year deal to show 150 classic FIFA World Cup matches from 1930 to 2006. The matches are shown on ESPN and ESPN Classic.[51]
As part of a four year deal for FA Cup coverage, formally announced on 8 December 2009, ESPN will show all of the England Under-21s home fixtures.[39]
On 24 May 2010, ESPN announced that it had acquired UK exclusive broadcast rights to live coverage from 41 international football fixtures, including "at least" 16 qualifiers for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, from the Kentaro rights agency.[52] It is understood that the batch of games will feature a broad mix of European national sides, potentially including some home nations. ESPN will also broadcast 20 international friendlies and live coverage from the Brazil World Tour, in which the five-time World Cup winners take on national teams from around the world. The first of these fixtures to be shown was the World Cup warm-up match between Argentina and Canada on 24 May 2010, which was won 5-0 by the home side.
On 15 July 2010, ESPN secured broadcast rights to all France and Germany's Euro 2012 qualifying matches.[49] ESPN will further broadcast selected home friendly matches featuring France and Germany.
During May 2011, ESPN secured the rights to the 2011 Copa América.[53]
ESPN showed Real Madrid's 2009 tour of North America, including live matches against Toronto FC on 7 August and DC United on 9 August, Benfica versus AC Milan on 8 August and Tottenham Hotspur versus Olympiakos on 9 August.
In January 2010, ESPN showed Argentine Torneos de Verano matches, including the Triangular de Verano 2010 Mar del Plata contested between Boca Juniors, Estudiantes and San Lorenzo, the Triangular de Verano 2010 Salta involving River Plate, Racing Club and Independiente as well as the Copa Revancha Mendoza between Boca Juniors and River Plate on 24 January.[54]
Between 23–25 July 2010, ESPN aired all four games from the New York Football Challenge, which featured Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, New York Red Bulls and Sporting Lisbon.[55] Manchester City will then take on Club América, Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Champions League winners Inter Milan on a ten-day tour of America between 29 July and 7 August. ESPN also aired Tottenham's match against Benfica in Lisbon on 1 August and Newcastle's friendly against Rangers in Glasgow on 7 August.
In 2011, ESPN broadcast all four games of 2011 Emirates Cup,[53] as well as a number of other pre-season friendlies.
In 2012, ESPN will broadcast more than 20 club and international football friendlies over the summer, including the LIGA total! Cup.[56]
On 25 January 2010, ESPN aired the Match Against Poverty 2010, where a Benfica All-Stars XI took on a team of legends selected by Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, in Lisbon to benefit the United Nations Development Programme and SL Benfica Foundation.[57]
On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured the rights to Ultimate Fighting Championship events from UFC 101 onwards as well as The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, UFC All Access, UFC Countdown, UFC Fight Nights and UFC Unleashed.[24][58][59]
Alongside ESPN, Channel 5 airs a one hour highlights show called UFC: Main Event and 5USA aired the debut showing of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. However, ESPN showed The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale live and in full.[60]
The Ultimate Fighter now airs on FX.
On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced that they will cover the French Top 14 live.[24] In addition, ESPN broadcast live international clashes featuring New Zealand, Samoa and South Africa.[61]
On 14 December 2009, ESPN agreed a three year deal for exclusive live rights to 43 matches per season from the English Premiership, beginning with the 2010-11 season, including exclusive live coverage of the English Premiership Final and one of the two semi-final matches.[62] The agreement also provides highlight rights for use on ESPN digital media such as ESPNScrum.com. Sky Sports will continue to show 26 live games per season plus the other semi-final.[63]
On 15 April 2010, ESPN signed Austin Healey as an expert contributor for its English Premiership presentation team,[64] followed by Nick Mullins as chief match commentator on 27 May and Ben Kay as co-commentator on 9 June.[65][66] Mark Durden-Smith will act as lead host, joined by reporter Sarra Elgan.[67] ESPN has also confirmed plans to start providing on-site coverage for many of its English Premiership games via a custom-built set, with production from Sunset + Vine.[36]
On 9 June 2010, ESPN agreed a deal with Premiership Rugby for exclusive UK broadcast rights to the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series Series.[68] The new tournament, which took place over July and August 2010, involved all 12 Premiership Rugby clubs competing in Friday evening games. The clubs were divided into three groups, with the runner-up and finalist from each group moving on to the final on 6 August. In accordance with IRB regulations, the six games to be played on every Friday evening consist of two seven-minute halves with a two-minute break for half time. ESPN's Rugby 7s coverage began on 16 July when the Group A teams - Harlequins, Saracens, London Irish and London Wasps - kick off the competition. Group B sides - Leeds Carnegie, Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks - competed on 23 July and the Group C teams - Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby and Northampton Saints - clashed on 30 July.
In March 2012. the channel showed its first tennis coverage - the Billie Jean King Cup from Madison Square Garden.[69] During the same month, ESPN secured the rights to a series of ATP World Tour 250 events for 2012, as well as three WTA International tournaments.[70]
ESPN also show some of the US sports available on ESPN America, including Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and National Collegiate Athletic Association.[1][71]
On 29 March 2010, it was announced that Monday Night Football would air on ESPN. Starting on 14 September, the sports broadcaster will carry live coverage of all of the National Football League's Monday night matches, with coverage repeated the following day. Every week, ESPN will also televise the 90-minute pre-game programme, Monday Night Countdown, in which host Chris Berman previews the evening's action.
In addition, to mark the 30th anniversary of ESPN, the channel has been showing the ESPN Films' 30 for 30 series.
On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced that they will cover the up to three live matches a week plus highlights from the Australian Football League including the four-week finals series culminating with the Grand Final.[24] As part of the same announcement, it was revealed that ESPN will show Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters live.
ESPN screened their first live boxing event on 19 September 2009, broadcasting Friday Night Fights from America with Guillermo Rigondeaux topping the bill. On 8 December 2010, Premier Sports announced an exclusive UK deal for 31 live Friday Night Fight events from January 2011 on an initial 2 year deal.[72]
ESPN aired the 2009 National Rugby League first Preliminary Final live on 25 September, the second Preliminary Final on 26 September and the Grand Final live on 4 October.[73]
On 3 March 2010, ESPN agreed a deal for the UK broadcast rights to the first ever European Winter X Games. All competition finals from the Winter X Games Europe at the French ski resort of Tignes was shown live and exclusive from 10–12 March.[74]
On 4 March 2010, ESPN agreed a deal for the UK broadcast rights to the 2010 World Indoor Athletic Championships held between 12–14 March at the ASPIRE Dome in Doha.[75]
On 12 January 2011, ESPN and North One Sport, the promoter of the World Rally Championship (WRC), reached an agreement for the WRC to be televised exclusively on ESPN in the UK.[76] ESPN will screen 30-minute nightly bulletins at the end of every WRC day, with on-event coverage bookended by an hour long preview and review show. Between events, ESPN is committing 30 hour-long shows with archive material from the sport, as well as two new documentary programmes. In addition to coverage on ESPN, WRC footage will also be aired on ESPN Classic.
On 6 July 2011, it was announced that the 2011 World Masters of darts will air live and exclusively on ESPN, with the event extended to three days three-days for the first time as part of the agreement with the British Darts Organisation.[77] The deal ends nine consecutive years of coverage on the BBC. In addition, ESPN will share coverage of the 2012 BDO World Championship with the BBC.[69]
In November 2011 ESPN showed its first golf coverage, broadcasting two tournaments from Australia.[69]
- ^ a b c d "ESPN announces channel details for its Premier League debut". Media Week. 7 July 2009. http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/918595/ESPN-announces-channel-details-its-Premier-League-debut/.
- ^ a b "ESPN snaps up Premier League TV packages". ESPNsoccernet. 22 June 2009. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656557&sec=england&&cc=5901.
- ^ "ESPN secures outlets and ad sales for Premier League TV". Media Week. 30 June 2009. http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/916585/ESPN-secures-outlets-ad-sales-Premier-League-TV/.
- ^ "Sky 3D to show ESPN's Winter X Games". Digital Spy. 17 February 2011. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a304407/sky-3d-to-show-espns-winter-x-games.html.
- ^ "Sky to broadcast FA Cup Final live in 3D". Digital Spy. 26 April 2011. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a316499/sky-to-broadcast-fa-cup-final-live-in-3d.html.
- ^ "ESPN 3D Production of 2011 NBA Finals Featuring the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks Available on Sky 3D in UK, Irish Homes and Pubs". ESPN. 1 June 2011. http://espnmediazone3.com/wpmu/uk/?p=1405.
- ^ "ESPN - now at no extra cost with Sky Sports". Sky. http://www.sky.com/ireland/tv/standalone-channels/espn/. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
- ^ "Virgin Media and ESPN announce channel deal ahead of Premier League football season". Virgin Media. 29 July 2009. http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205406&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1313434&highlight=.
- ^ "ESPN launching on Top Up TV". Top Up TV. https://www.topuptv.com/espn/. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- ^ "Top Up TV secures ESPN carriage deal". Digital Spy. 4 August 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a169184/top-up-tv-secures-espn-carriage-deal.html.
- ^ "Sky Sports, ESPN to become available on Top Up TV CAM". Digital Spy. 26 July 2011. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a331773/sky-sports-espn-to-become-available-on-top-up-tv-cam.html.
- ^ "ESPN and BT Vision update". BT Vision. http://www.btvision.com/sport/espn/. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- ^ "BT Vision signs up ESPN's news sports channel to offer fans football and sports". BT Group. 4 August 2009. http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/Showarticle.cfm?ArticleID=664379DF-45F8-47DD-B65E-0E0F6C4C66EA.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". ESPN. http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/help-feedback/faq. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ^ "Tiscali secures ESPN carriage deal". Digital Spy. 14 August 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a171538/tiscali-secures-espn-carriage-deal.html.
- ^ "ESPN". Smallworld Cable. http://www.smallworldcable.com/Cable-TV/ESPN. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ "Chorus ntl to carry ESPN HD in Ireland". Digital Spy. 14 August 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a171510/chorus-ntl-to-carry-espn-hd-in-ireland.html.
- ^ "UPC to spend €20m to win back clients". The Irish Times. 4 January 2010. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0104/1224261600015.html.
- ^ "ESPN Premier League football to be free for first month on cable". The Guardian. 29 July 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/29/espn-premier-league-football.
- ^ "ESPN free this weekend". FourFourTwo. 22 January 2010. http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/46741/default.aspx.
- ^ "Premier League - UK fans to see free-to-air Premier League match". Yahoo! Eurosport. 23 January 2012. http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/25012012/58/premier-league-uk-fans-free-air-premier-league-match.html.
- ^ "U.K. Sports Fans Get ESPN For Free This Weekend On TVCatchup & TV". TechnoBuffalo. 3 February 2012. http://www.technobuffalo.com/miscellaneous/deals/u-k-sports-fans-get-espn-for-free-this-weekend-on-tvcatchup-tv/.
- ^ a b c d "UFC: ESPN confirms coverage on UK TV – but there's more to come". London: The Daily Telegraph. 30 July 2009. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/garethadavies/100000944/ufc-espn-confirms-ufc-coverage-on-uk-tv-%E2%80%93-but-there-is-more-to-come%E2%80%A6/. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ "ESPN secures NBA rights deal". Digital Spy. 30 September 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a179819/espn-secures-nba-rights-deal.html.
- ^ "ESPN grabs Caribbean T20 cricket rights". Digital Spy. 22 July 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a231488/espn-grabs-caribbean-t20-cricket-rights.html.
- ^ "Setanta loses Premier TV rights". BBC News. 19 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8109954.stm.
- ^ "ESPN get 2009/10 Republic of Ireland rights". Premier League. 8 July 2009. http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1716580,00.html.
- ^ Sweney, Mark (17 July 2009). "Ray Stubbs leaves BBC to present Premier League football on ESPN". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/17/ray-stubbs-joins-espn. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ "Kevin Keegan joins ESPN as lead analyst". Digital Spy. 24 August 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a173390/kevin-keegan-joins-espn-as-lead-analyst.html.
- ^ Sweney, Mark (24 August 2009). "ESPN signs Kevin Keegan to front its Premier League coverage". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/24/espn-premiership-kevin-keegan. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ Gibson, Owen (14 July 2009). "Olympic stadium debate on capacity and legacy draws a full house". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jul/14/digger-olympic-stadium-legacy-debate. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ "Premier League confirms first batch of TV games". ESPNsoccernet. 9 July 2009. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=659920&sec=england&cc=5739.
- ^ "ESPN production contract up for grabs". Broadcastnow. 15 April 2010. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/espn-production-contract-up-for-grabs/5012788.article.
- ^ a b "ESPN set to sign Premier indie partners". Broadcast. 13 August 2010. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/espn-set-to-sign-premier-indie-partners/5016978.article.
- ^ "ESPN kick-off live coverage at Stamford Bridge". ESPNsoccernet. 6 July 2010. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=806318&sec=england&cc=5739.
- ^ a b Gibson, Owen (7 December 2009). "ESPN secures rights to show FA Cup matches from next season". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/07/fa-cup-espn-bbc-itv. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ a b c "FA agree Cup deal with ESPN". Football Association. 8 December 2009. http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsAndFeatures/2009/ESPN_081209.aspx.
- ^ "SPL agrees TV deal with Sky/ESPN". BBC News. 16 July 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8152874.stm.
- ^ "SPL secures new five-year TV deal with Sky and ESPN". BBC News. 21 November 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15824173.stm.
- ^ Hannah, Roger (29 July 2009). "Pay-per-phew TV". The Sun (London). http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2560370/Ali-Douglas-and-Gordon-Strachan-to-present-SPL-coverage.html.
- ^ "Fixture announcement". Scottish Premier League. 24 July 2009. http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s2&newsid=8029&back=home.
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (1 September 2009). "ESPN buys Uefa Europa League rights". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/01/uefa-europa-league-espn. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ "ESPN, ITV acquire Europa League rights". UEFA. 2 September 2009. http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=131072/newsid=881458.html.
- ^ "ITV pinches Europa League from Channel 5". Digital Spy. 17 October 2011. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a345983/itv-pinches-europa-league-from-channel-5.html.
- ^ a b "ESPN to air France, Germany qualifiers". Digital Spy. 15 July 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a244320/espn-to-air-france-germany-qualifiers.html.
- ^ "ESPN secures Serie A TV rights". Digital Spy. 5 August 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a169521/espn-secures-serie-a-tv-rights.html.
- ^ "ESPN secures archive World Cup footage". Digital Spy. 5 October 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a180510/espn-secures-archive-world-cup-footage.html.
- ^ "ESPN nabs international football rights". Digital Spy. 24 May 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a221576/espn-nabs-international-football-rights.html.
- ^ a b "ESPN snatch Copa América and Emirates Cup from Sky". Football Marketing. 9 May 2011. http://www.football-marketing.com/2011/05/09/espn-snatch-copa-america-and-emirates-cup-from-sky/.
- ^ "San Lorenzo y Estudiantes igualaron en Mar del Plata" (in Spanish). Argentine Football Association. http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10828:san-lorenzo-y-estudiantes-igualan-en-mar-del-plata&catid=110:torneos-superiores&Itemid=78. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
- ^ "ESPN to air 11 pre-season friendlies". Digital Spy. 6 July 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a239306/espn-to-air-11-pre-season-friendlies.html.
- ^ "ESPN snaps up club and international football friendlies". Digital Spy. 29 May 2012. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a384179/espn-snaps-up-club-and-international-football-friendlies.html.
- ^ "Game’s greats take aim at poverty". BT Vision. http://www.btvision.bt.com/sport/match-against-poverty/. Retrieved 25 January 2010. [dead link]
- ^ Gilbert, Mark (30 July 2009). "TUF luck for Virgin TV deal". The Sun (London). http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/ufc/2564350/TUF-luck-for-Virgin-on-UFC-deal.html.
- ^ "UFC signs with ESPN". MMA News. 30 July 2009. http://www.mmaunltd.com/news-detail.asp/NewsID/591/ufc-signs-with-espn.htm.
- ^ "UFC SIGNS LANDMARK DEAL WITH FIVE". Ultimate Fighting Championship. 8 September 2009. http://uk.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=22286.
- ^ "French Rugby top 14 Orange International Tests". ESPN. http://www.espn.co.uk/sports-on-espn/french-rugby-top-14/. Retrieved 14 December 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Guinness Premiership agrees ESPN deal". English Premiership. 14 December 2009. http://www.premiershiprugby.com/premiership/news/12362.php.
- ^ Conlan, Tara (14 December 2009). "ESPN buys rights to Guinness Premiership rugby matches". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/14/espn-guinness-premiership-rugby. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ "Rugby star Austin Healey joins ESPN". Digital Spy. 15 April 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a214527/rugby-star-austin-healey-joins-espn.html.
- ^ "ESPN signs Nick Mullins for rugby comment". Digital Spy. 27 May 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a222114/espn-signs-nick-mullins-for-rugby-comment.html.
- ^ "ESPN signs Ben Kay for rugby commentary". Digital Spy. 9 June 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a224324/espn-signs-ben-kay-for-rugby-commentary.html.
- ^ "Durden-Smith joins ESPN's rugby coverage". Digital Spy. 16 August 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a262457/durden-smith-joins-espns-rugby-coverage.html.
- ^ "ESPN to air Premiership Rugby 7s". Digital Spy. 9 June 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a224403/espn-to-air-premiership-rugby-7s.html.
- ^ a b c Sweney, Mark (3 November 2011). "BBC to split TV rights to darts coverage with ESPN". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/nov/03/bbc-split-darts-rights-espn. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "ESPN secures ATP and WTA tennis rights". Digital Spy. 29 March 2012. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a373860/espn-secures-atp-and-wta-tennis-rights.html.
- ^ "ESPN to show US sports in HD". Digital Spy. 14 July 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a165110/espn-to-show-us-sports-in-hd.html.
- ^ "Premier Sports TV is delighted to announce weekly boxing". Boxing News 24. 8 December 2010. http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/12/premier-sports-tv-is-delighted-to-announce-weekly-boxing/.
- ^ "ESPN to show NRL Grand Final". National Rugby League. 9 September 2009. http://www.rugbyleague.com/rugby-league-news/151.
- ^ "ESPN to air first Euro Winter X Games". Digital Spy. 3 March 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a206435/espn-to-air-first-euro-winter-x-games.html.
- ^ "ESPN to air IAAF World Indoor Athletics". Digital Spy. 4 March 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a206687/espn-to-air-iaaf-world-indoor-athletics.html.
- ^ "ESPN lands WRC broadcast deal". Autosport. 12 January 2011. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88879.
- ^ "ESPN to screen 2011 Winmau World Masters over 3 days". British Darts Organisation. 6 July 2011. http://www.bdodarts.com/1331/06-07-2011/ESPN_to_screen_2011_Winmau_World_Masters_over_3_days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current ESPN business ventures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defunct ESPN business ventures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 "Pin It")
_color.jpg)
