Introduction:
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc. , owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%).
In addition to the flagship channel and its seven related channels in the United States, ESPN broadcasts in more than 200 countries.
While ESPN is one of the most successful sports networks, there has been criticism of ESPN.
ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets with over 50 business entities. Sports media assets include ESPN on ABC, six domestic cable television networks (ESPN, launched in 1979; ESPN2; ESPN Classic; ESPNEWS; ESPN Deportes; ESPNU), ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD (high-definition simulcast services of ESPN and ESPN2, respectively), ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (31 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants licensed by ESPN), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties (wireless), ESPN On Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
Key Facts:
- Product Launch: 1979
- Founder:
- Estimated Monthly Visitors: over-1b
- Telephone number: (646) 699-6800
- Domain name: espn.com
- Owner: ESPN
- Company Type:
- Country of operation: Worldwide