History of ESPN in Timeline
ESPN is an American international basic cable sports channel. Founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan, it's jointly owned by The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications (20%) through ESPN Inc. ESPN is a leading provider of sports programming, broadcasting live events, sports news, and analysis to a global audience.
May 1978: Bill Rasmussen conceives ESPN
In May 1978, Bill Rasmussen conceived the idea for ESPN after being fired from his job with the New England Whalers.
February 22, 1979: Getty Oil Purchases 85% of ESPN
On February 22, 1979, Getty Oil purchased 85% of ESPN from Bill Rasmussen to diversify its holdings, providing credibility and funding to the fledgling company.
September 7, 1979: ESPN Launches with SportsCenter
On September 7, 1979, ESPN launched, premiering its flagship program, SportsCenter, to 1.4 million cable subscribers.
1979: ESPN Founded
In 1979, ESPN, initially known as the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, was founded by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan.
March 1980: ESPN Broadcasts NCAA Basketball Tournament
In March 1980, ESPN first aired coverage of the early rounds of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, which helped popularize what is now known as "March Madness".
1984: ABC Purchases ESPN
In 1984, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) acquired 100% of ESPN from the Rasmussens and Getty Oil, increasing its ability to compete for major sports contracts.
1984: NCAA v. Board of Regents Ruling
In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma that the NCAA could no longer monopolize college football broadcast rights, allowing individual schools to negotiate deals.
1985: Capital Cities Acquires ABC
In 1985, Capital Cities Communications acquired ABC, thus gaining control of ESPN, and renamed itself Capital Cities/ABC Inc.
1987: ESPN Secures NFL Contract
In 1987, ESPN secured a contract with the NFL to broadcast eight Sunday night games, marking the first broadcasts of Sunday NFL primetime games.
1992: ESPN Radio Launched
In 1992, ESPN launched ESPN Radio, a national sports talk radio network.
October 1, 1993: ESPN2 Launched
On October 1, 1993, ESPN2 was launched, carrying a broad mix of event coverage from conventional and extreme sports.
October 10, 1993: ESPN2 Launched
On October 10, 1993, ESPN2 launched, reaching 10 million subscribers and featuring niche sports and serving as an overflow channel for ESPN.
1995: Classic Sports Network launch
In 1995, Classic Sports Network, later known as ESPN Classic, was launched by Brian Bedol and Steve Greenberg.
1995: ESPN BottomLine Originated on ESPN2
In 1995, the "ESPN BottomLine", a ticker displaying sports news and scores, originated on ESPN2.
November 1, 1996: ESPNews Launched
On November 1, 1996, ESPNews was launched, originally focusing solely on sports news, highlights, and press conferences.
1996: Disney Acquires Capital Cities/ABC
In 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC Inc. and rebranded it as Walt Disney Television, gaining control of ESPN.
1997: ESPN Inc. purchased Classic Sports Network
In 1997, ESPN Inc. purchased Classic Sports Network for $175 million.
1998: Classic Sports Network rebranded to ESPN Classic
In 1998, Classic Sports Network was rebranded as "ESPN Classic".
July 2001: ESPN Deportes Launched
In July 2001, ESPN Deportes was originally launched to provide Spanish simulcasts of Major League Baseball telecasts from ESPN.
2001: ESPN Original Entertainment Formed
In 2001, ESPN Original Entertainment was formed as a programming division.
March 30, 2003: ESPNHD launch
On March 30, 2003, ESPN launched its high-definition simulcast feed, originally branded as ESPNHD, with a broadcast of the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels game.
January 2004: ESPN Deportes Becomes 24-Hour Sports Channel
In January 2004, ESPN Deportes became a 24-hour sports channel.
2004: ESPN Last Carried NHL Games
In 2004, ESPN last carried national televised NHL games before agreeing to a new contract in 2021.
March 4, 2005: ESPNU launch
On March 4, 2005, ESPNU, a subscription television network dedicated to college athletics, was launched.
2005: ESPN MVP launch
In 2005, ESPN MVP (initially known as Mobile ESPN) was an attempt at operating a mobile virtual network operator with exclusive mobile content.
September 2006: ESPN Integrated with ABC Sports Division
Since September 2006, ESPN has been integrated with the sports division of sister broadcast network ABC, with sports events televised on ABC airing under the banner ESPN on ABC.
March 2008: ESPN Films Created
In March 2008, ESPN Films was created as a restructuring of ESPN Original Entertainment.
2009: 30 for 30 Series Launched
In 2009, 30 for 30 started airing, a documentary series produced by ESPN Films.
August 2010: ESPNews Incorporated ESPN Shows
Since August 2010, ESPNews has gradually incorporated encores of ESPN's various sports debate and entertainment shows and video simulcasts of ESPN Radio shows.
September 27, 2010: Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn in HD
On September 27, 2010, "Pardon the Interruption" and "Around the Horn" began airing in HD after relocating production to the ABC News Washington, D.C., bureau facility.
October 25, 2010: WatchESPN launch
On October 25, 2010, WatchESPN was originally launched as ESPN Networks, a streaming service providing a live stream of ESPN exclusive to Time Warner Cable subscribers.
August 26, 2011: Longhorn Network launch
On August 26, 2011, the Longhorn Network, a subscription television network focusing on University of Texas at Austin sports, was launched.
August 31, 2011: ESPN3 incorporation into WatchESPN
On August 31, 2011, ESPN3, an online streaming service, was incorporated into the WatchESPN platform.
2011: Peak Household Reach
In 2011, ESPN reached its peak of 100 million pay television households in the United States.
2011: ESPNHD prepares for conversion
In 2011, ESPNHD started to downplay its logo in preparation for converting its standard definition feed from 4:3 full-screen to letterboxed format.
2013: Highlight Express Cancelled on ESPNews
Since the 2013 cancellation of Highlight Express, ESPNews programming consists mainly of rebroadcasts of SportsCenter.
August 14, 2014: SEC Network launch
On August 14, 2014, the SEC Network, a subscription television network focusing on Southeastern Conference sporting events, was launched as a joint venture between the conference and ESPN Inc.
April 26, 2017: ESPN Layoffs and Cost-Cutting Measures
On April 26, 2017, ESPN terminated approximately 100 employees, including analysts and journalists, and implemented cost-cutting measures like moving ESPNU studio operations and reducing Baseball Tonight's airtime.
December 18, 2017: John Skipper Resigns
On December 18, 2017, John Skipper resigned from his position as chairman of ESPN.
2017: O.J.: Made in America Wins Academy Award
In 2017, the 30 for 30 film O.J.: Made in America won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the first such Oscar for ESPN.
March 5, 2018: James Pitaro Appointed Chairman
On March 5, 2018, James Pitaro became the chairman of ESPN, succeeding John Skipper.
April 12, 2018: ESPN+ Launched
On April 12, 2018, ESPN launched ESPN+, a supplemental over-the-top streaming service.
April 2018: ESPN+ launch
In April 2018, ESPN+ was launched as an add-on subscription service.
March 2019: ESPN Announces Daily Wager
In March 2019, ESPN announced a new betting-themed daily program, Daily Wager, hosted by Doug Kezirian.
June 1, 2019: WatchESPN discontinued
On June 1, 2019, WatchESPN was discontinued, with its full merger into the ESPN app.
August 22, 2019: ACC Network launch
On August 22, 2019, the ACC Network, a subscription television network covering the Atlantic Coast Conference sporting events, launched as a joint venture of ESPN Inc. and the ACC.
October 8, 2019: ESPN Memo Regarding China and Hong Kong
On October 8, 2019, Deadspin reported that ESPN sent an internal memo to employees instructing them to avoid political discussions about China and Hong Kong following a tweet by Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey.
2019: UFC and ESPN Sign Contract
In 2019, Ultimate Fighting Championship signed a five-year contract with ESPN to broadcast events on ESPN and ESPN+.
March 2021: ESPN and ABC Agree to Televise NHL Games
In March 2021, ESPN and ABC agreed on a seven-year contract to televise NHL games, including some on ESPN+ and Hulu, and four Stanley Cup Finals.
2021: Disney to Increase Online Sports Betting Presence
In 2021, Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek indicated that the company would increase its presence in online sports betting, including in partnership with third parties, to offset the impact of COVID-19.
December 31, 2021: ESPN Classic discontinuation
On December 31, 2021, ESPN Classic, a subscription television network, was discontinued.
August 8, 2023: ESPN and Penn Entertainment Announce Deal
On August 8, 2023, ESPN and Penn Entertainment announced a deal to brand Penn's sportsbooks with ESPN branding. Barstool Sportsbook will be rebranded as ESPN Bet in fall 2023.
November 2023: ESPN Bet Launch
In November 2023, ESPN began its move into sports betting with plans to launch their sportsbook app "ESPN Bet" on November 14 in partnership with Penn Entertainment.
December 2023: ESPN Household Reach
As of December 2023, ESPN is available to approximately 70 million pay television households in the United States.
2023: The Pat McAfee Show Moved to ESPN
In 2023, The Pat McAfee Show moved to ESPN, replacing the Noon ET airing of SportsCenter and This Just In with Max Kellerman.
February 6, 2024: ESPN, Fox Sports, and TNT Sports Announce Venu Sports
On February 6, 2024, ESPN announced a joint venture with Fox Sports and TNT Sports to offer Venu Sports, launching in fall 2024.
June 30, 2024: Longhorn Network discontinuation
On June 30, 2024, the Longhorn Network was discontinued before the Longhorns' move to the Southeastern Conference.
2024: ESPN Apologizes and Returns Sports Emmy Awards
In 2024, ESPN apologized for submitting fake names for Sports Emmy award consideration and returned 37 trophies to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
2025: ESPN Plans Standalone Streaming Offering
In 2025, ESPN plans to launch a "flagship" standalone streaming offering, including ESPN and ESPN2 linear channels.
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