ESPN recorded its most-watched WNBA playoffs despite broadcasting only half of the first- and second-round games as the league expanded its media rights distribution across multiple networks. ESPN averaged 1.4 million viewers for its WNBA playoff coverage through the semifinals, up 23% from 1.1 million in the comparable period last year and the network’s highest…
Bill Rasmussen, the co-founder of ESPN and one of the pioneers of 24-hour sports television, has died at the age of 93. ESPN announced that Rasmussen died Tuesday from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. Alongside his son Scott, Rasmussen developed the idea of creating a television network dedicated entirely to sports in the late 1970s,…
ESPN delivered record-breaking audiences during the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, setting a new all-time high for the women’s singles final while registering its second most-watched tournament overall. The women’s final, where Czech teenager Linda Noskova defeated compatriot Karolina Muchova in three sets to claim her maiden Wimbledon title, averaged 1.9 million viewers in the United States….
FOX and NBC Land Former ESPN NFL Games Amid Major Media Rights Shake-Up National Football League is reshaping its media rights structure once again, with FOX and NBC securing two of the broadcast windows previously tied to ESPN. According to reports, the NFL reassigned one game each to FOX and NBC from the four windows…
ESPN continues to show long-term strength despite short-term financial pressure, as its parent company Disney reported mixed results for its sports division in the fiscal second quarter of 2026. According to the earnings report released on Wednesday, Disney’s sports segment — driven כמעט entirely by ESPN — generated $4.6 billion in revenue, marking a modest…
The Walt Disney Company has reportedly decided against spinning off ESPN, an option that had been under consideration in recent months. According to a report by Business Insider, new CEO Josh D’Amaro may revisit the idea in the future, but for now the topic is effectively off the table. Disney, through its subsidiary ABC Inc.,…
ESPN is ramping up its digital investment around the 2026 Copa Libertadores, placing YouTube, TikTok, and hybrid content formats at the center of its distribution strategy as it looks to capture younger audiences. Disney’s sports media division plans to integrate live broadcasts, original programming, and social media-first content across its ESPN platforms, aiming to deepen…
ESPN delivered its strongest first-quarter primetime audience on record, driven by a packed schedule of major sporting events across multiple leagues. The network averaged 2.5 million viewers in primetime during January, February and March, marking a 10% increase year-over-year. Across the full day, ESPN averaged 937,000 viewers, up 8% compared to the same period in…
ESPN’s coverage of the Masters has triggered a wave of criticism from parts of the golf community after WWE personality The Miz appeared as part of an on-air expert panel during tournament coverage at Augusta National. The inclusion of the former WWE Champion, whose real name is Michael Gregory Mizanin, drew mixed reactions from viewers,…
Disney is expanding ESPN content availability through Disney+, bringing sports programming to more than 50 countries across Europe and Asia-Pacific. This move increases ESPN’s international reach to approximately 100 markets. The expanded offering will include live sports such as NBA, NHL, and college competitions, alongside ESPN’s documentary library (including 30 for 30) and select studio…
