ESPN Reflects on a “Stellar Six Months” to Begin 2024
Yesterday, we brought you the news that ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro was celebrating the halfway point of 2024 by reflecting back on the first six months of the year.
Today, ESPN released a more comprehensive reflection of the network’s 2024 to date. So, let’s see what the Worldwide Leader in Sports has to say.
Talent Is Key
ESPN is known throughout the world for its on-air talent. So far this year, the network has resigned Shannon Sharpe and added both Nick Saban and Jason Kelce to its football roster.
The other big talent news in 2024 was ESPN’s extension with Omaha Productions. Now, Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli will continue for years to come, and the Manning Brothers will continue to develop new content for the network.
Live Sports Reign Supreme
Speaking of content, live sports continues to be the bedrock of ESPN’s success. Early in 2024, the network was able to secure a new eight-year NCAA rights agreement for 40 championships annually.
In addition, ESPN reached an extension with the College Football Playoff that will last through the 2031-32 season. As the College Football Playoff continues to expand, ESPN will be its home. Interestingly, the network also agreed to sublicense some college football games to TNT.
Finally, Disney and ESPN are reportedly closing in on a new NBA contract that will ensure the network’s continued relationship with the league. While an official deal has yet to be struck, things look good.
Record-Breaking Ratings
Despite the prevailing notion that cable television is on the decline, ESPN delivered strong ratings across a multitude of sports. Monday Night Football had its most-watched season in 23 years, the College Football Playoff delivered record numbers, and the popularity of both women’s college basketball and the WNBA exploded.
More recently, the network delivered strong results with its coverage of the NCAA Softball Women’s College World Series Final and the Stanley Cup Finals.
A Year of Firsts
The first half of 2024 was also a time of firsts for ESPN.
Doris Burke made history as the first woman to serve as a sports television analyst in a championship final of one of the four major U.S. sports leagues when she called the NBA Finals last month.
Additionally, ESPN continued to expand into sports betting with the launch of its North Carolina sportsbook in March and the first ESPN BET-branded sportsbook and restaurant in Detroit.
Looking Ahead
While ESPN has accomplished a lot this year, it is not yet done. Coming in the second half of 2024 will be the launch of Venu Sports, the addition of an ESPN tile to Disney+, and, of course, the return of both college football and the NFL.
So, while today is a good day to celebrate, ESPN believes that the best is yet to come.
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