ESPN
 Logo since 1985 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bristol, Connecticut |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 720p (HDTV) (selected matches are upscaled to 2160p 4K UHD broadcasts on selected platforms) (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company (72%) Hearst Communications (18%) National Football League (10%) |
| Parent | ESPN Inc. |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | September 7, 1979[1] |
| Links | |
| Website | espn.com |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| ESPN+ | espn.com/espnplus (American pay-TV subscribers only) |
| Service(s) | DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV |
ESPN is an American sports television network owned by ESPN, Inc., a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company which owns 72% Hearst Corporation which owns 18% and the National football League which owns 10%. ESPN is an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. The channel is headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut with other studios in Los Angeles and New York City. ESPN shows sporting events and games. It also has programs for news and highlights of sporting events, as well as talk shows on sports topics. The network has also shown games or events other than sports, such as poker.
In 2018, ESPN launched ESPN+ as an additional streaming service subscription that did not require cable TV.[2]
In 2019, ESPN bought the rights to show games from the German Bundesliga as part of a six year deal beginning in 2020, with many games appearing on ESPN+.[3]
In August 2025, ESPN launched the ESPN Unlimited streaming service, making all of its content available in a streaming subscription that did not require cable TV. [4] The new service is also included in many cable TV packages, and as a bundle with FOX One.[5][6] ESPN+ was renamed ESPN Select and continued to be available with more limited content.[7]
In December 2025, ESPN shut down its digital extension channel ESPN3 that was available as part of some TV packages.[8]
The ESPN family of networks
[change | change source]Television
[change | change source]- ESPN (1979–present)
- ESPN on ABC (2006-present, replacing ABC Sports)
- ESPN International (1989–present)
- ESPN2 (1993–present)
- ESPNEWS (1996–present)
- ESPN Classic (1997–2021)
- ESPN PPV (1999–present)
- ESPNU (2005–present)
- ESPN Deportes (2004–present)
- ESPNHD (2003–present)
- ESPN2HD (2005–present)
- SEC Network (2014–present)
- ESPN+ (2018–present)
Internet
[change | change source]- ESPN Motion (2003–present)
- ESPN 360 (2005–present)
Radio
[change | change source]- ESPN Radio (1992–present)
- ESPN Deportes Radio (2005–present)
Films
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ Couch, Teri (January 2, 1980). "ESPN, Inc.: 1979 in Review". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
The sports television landscape was changed forever on September 7, 1979, with the launch of the world's first all-sports, satellite-delivered cable television network. The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, based in Bristol, Conn., is beamed to affiliate systems nationwide on Satcom I, Transponder #7 and is now seen in approximately four million U.S. households. ESPN is led by former NBC Sports president Chester R. Simmons.
- ↑ Steinberg, Brian (2018-04-02). "ESPN Says New Streaming Service, 'ESPN+' Will Launch April 12". Variety. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Ourand, John (2019-09-29). "ESPN lands Bundesliga rights starting in 2020". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Neelakandan, Laya (2025-08-21). "Disney's new ESPN flagship streaming app launches Thursday. Here's what we know". CNBC. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd (2025-08-22). "ESPN Unlimited Streaming Service Is Already Bundled With Some Pay-TV Plans — for No Extra Cost". Variety. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Hayes, Dade (2025-10-02). "ESPN And Fox One Bundle Officially Launches, Reuniting Former Venu Sports Teammates". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Details revealed on ESPN unlimited, select plans for DTC product". Sports Business Journal. 2025-08-05. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Bouma, Luke (2025-12-06). "Disney Abruptly Shuts Down ESPN3, Moves Programing to ESPN Unlimited & Other Services". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Official website Archived 2008-07-23 at the Wayback Machine
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
