US sports broadcaster ESPN is to launch a channel dedicated exclusively to live women’s sports events on its ESPN3 internet service.
The espnW channel will launch on June 23 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark legislation that banned sex discrimination in US schools.
At launch, the multi-screen service will offer 170 hours of live women’s events through to July 31 via the ESPN3 player on the espnW.com website. ESPN did not elaborate on future plans for the espnW channel, but said that it would “continue to be made available to fans on the site moving forward.”
More than half of the events available through the espnW channel are exclusive to ESPN3, with basketball, volleyball, softball and golf set to feature, along with action from the X Games Los Angeles action sports event.
“EspnW’s digital offerings continue to expand and an espnW-branded channel for live events is a logical extension, enabling us to further elevate women’s sports while serving passionate fans,” espnW vice-president Laura Gentile said.