ESPN
ESPN is an international sports television network based in the United States. The company operates as a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company and Hearst Television. ESPN is an acronym for “Entertainment and Sports Program Network.”
ESPN expands College Football Playoffs through 2032
The new format will feature 23 games, up from 11 under the current 12-team playoff system; ABC will carry at least three games from each of the first two rounds.
Ernie Johnson to leave “Inside the NBA” after 37 seasons
Johnson said his decision was influenced by the demands of preparing for the show and a desire to spend more time with his family following heart problems.
Parks: Streaming finds favor in American sports households
As streaming platforms gobble up live sports rights, more fans are adding sports-inclusive streaming apps and channels into their media diets.
FUTURE OF VIDEO
Antenna: NFL already fueling new streaming sign-ups
Peacock, Paramount Plus, ESPN and Fox One collectively reported a 11.2 percent increase in sign-ups during the start of football season.
DATA
ESPN brings kid-focused sports shows to YouTube
The free channel is intended to introduce younger audiences to different sports, athletes and memorable sporting moments.
ESPN to produce alternate telecasts for Super Bowl LXI
ESPN 2 will carry the "ManningCast," Pat McAfee will host a "Field Pass" alternate broadcast, and NFL Network will offer a NextGen Stats broadcast.
Skydance dethrones NBC, Versant as largest holder of premium sports rights
With CBS and TNT Sports under one roof, Skydance now owns March Madness — and offers games from three dozen other premium sports organizations.
DATA
Ratings: 60 Minutes loses half of CBS NFL audience
CBS scored the highest sports, news and scripted series ratings of any broadcast network during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week, but it struggled to retain viewers for "60 Minutes."
RATINGS
Disney Plus sees strong uptake in ad buys against UK service
More than 50 Disney Plus sponsorships have been activated in the UK, with additional sponsorships planned.
WNBA playoffs average record 1.3 million viewers in first round
The first round of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs averaged 1.3 million viewers across 10 games, making it the league’s most-watched opening playoff round.
RATINGS
Dish’s Sling TV stops offering Day Pass, Week Pass
Sling TV has removed a feature that allowed sports and news fans to subscribe to a handful of channels for as little as 24 hours.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Report: Disney plans hundreds of layoffs amid TV business restructuring
The goal is to organize Disney's TV business around streaming rather than individual brands, according to the report.