ESPN

ESPN, television sports cable network, with headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) began broadcasting in 1980 with 24 hours a day sports coverage, and by 1995 it reached more than 64 million American households throughout the United States. Selected ESPN programming is also available in more than 120 countries worldwide. The network shows a broad range of sporting events, news, and analysis and airs narrow-interest sports as well as those with a broad spectator base. Regular programming includes football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, automobile racing, horse racing, boxing, bowling, and skiing. News and information programs about different sports are presented frequently, as well as a comprehensive daily sports news show, “SportsCenter.” ESPN also airs a variety of fitness, instructional, and magazine programs. ESPN2, a second all-sports cable network, was launched in 1993.

ESPN is a subsidiary of ABC, Inc., with the Hearst Corporation owning a 20-percent share of the network. In early 1984, ABC Video Enterprises, Incorporated acquired 15 percent of ESPN from Getty Oil Company, which had owned the network since 1979, and then purchased the remaining 85 percent from Texaco, Incorporated, which had taken over Getty Oil. In October 1984, 20 percent of ESPN was sold to Nabisco Brands, which later merged with R.J. Reynolds, a share acquired by the Hearst Corporation in 1990. The network maintains executive, sales, marketing, and research offices in New York City as well as sales and marketing offices elsewhere.

Reviewed by: ESPN