ESPN
ESPN sets sights on securing strategic investment and renewing NBA rights
ESPN is now laser-focused on investment conversations and retaining domestic National Basketball Association rights after completing a tough carriage renegotiation with Charter Spectrum, its president…
NFL opening weekend, college football score major US viewership
The return of the National Football League, combined with a strong slate of college games, drew major audiences across US television, including a record for Monday Night Football on ESPN
Disney, Charter Spectrum reach new deal to end NFL blackout
Disney and Charter Communications have announced a new multi-year distribution deal that restores select Disney stations, including ESPN, to Spectrum's customers
Disney ‘ready to resolve’ Charter dispute as US Open finals and NFL season approach
Disney has moved to put the pressure on Charter Spectrum to end their carriage dispute, highlighting two major sporting events that will not be available to the latter's customers
In Focus: US Open
SportBusiness Media takes a deep dive into the numbers driving the commercial success of the US Open, which concludes on Sunday.
ESPN blackout for Charter Spectrum subscribers amid Disney dispute
A number of Disney channels, including sports broadcaster ESPN, went dark yesterday (Thursday) for Charter Spectrum subscribers amid a dispute over the terms of a carriage agreement.
Verizon ‘has talked’ to Disney over ESPN streaming partnership
Telecommunications company Verizon has emerged as a potential strategic partner for Disney as it looks to launch an all-in-one streaming service and leave cable television
LaLiga, ESPN puts focus on fans in third season of US contract
LaLiga is stepping up its efforts in the United States as it enters its third season with broadcaster ESPN by adding more content and events in English and Spanish.
ESPN entered into a $1.4bn (€1.3
ESPN+ subscriptions dip, Iger ‘encouraged’ by strategic partner talks
ESPN's direct-to-consumer offering, ESPN+, has seen a dip in subscriptions from 25.3 million in the prior quarter ending April 1 to 25.2 million subscribers as of July 1
Former Disney execs Mayer and Staggs to advise on ESPN future
Former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are returning to work with the US media giant on the future strategy of ESPN
Disney open to selling stake in ESPN, says Iger
Disney is considering selling an equity stake in ESPN and is "open-minded" in finding a strategic partner, according to its chief executive officer Bob Iger
WNBA boasts 46-per-cent viewership rise on ESPN at midway point
The Women's National Basketball Association has drawn an average of 548,000 viewers on ESPN through 13 games for a 46-per-cent increase over the 2022 WNBA season average on the network
ESPN renews commitment to Fiba World Cup coverage in US
The 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup is to receive comprehensive coverage in the United States on ESPN, after a new rights deal was announced today (Monday)
NCAA and IMG weigh up unbundling women’s basketball
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship – considered one of the most undervalued properties in American sports – is focused on maximising the property’s value from the 2024-25 season, which opens the door to possibly unbundling the rights.
ESPN to air SlamBall in two-year deal
ESPN has signed a two-year US broadcast deal to air SlamBall, the sport that combines basketball, football, hockey, and trampolines
NBA Playoffs record best viewership in five years
The National Basketball Association's playoffs averaged 5.47 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT, making them the most-watched playoffs in the past five years
ESPN adds F1 alternate broadcast with Ricciardo
ESPN, the American broadcaster for Formula 1, has announced an alternate broadcast hosted by Red Bull Racing reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo and actor and F1 fan Will Arnett for the Canadian Grand Prix…
ESPN ‘laying the groundwork’ for standalone streaming service
US sports broadcaster ESPN is reportedly planning to launch a new streaming service as a standalone subscription-based live sports package