ESPN

ESPN, short for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American multinational basic cable sports network and media company. It operates as ESPN Inc., a joint venture owned by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). ESPN's offerings include live sports broadcasts, news, and analysis across television channels, radio, and digital platforms such as ESPN.com and the streaming service ESPN+.

Founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, ESPN launched in Bristol, Connecticut, and quickly became a major provider of 24-hour sports programming in the United States. Over the decades it expanded to a family of television networks—such as ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews—along with digital properties and international channels. In addition to live events, ESPN produces sports news, debate programs, and documentary content.

ESPN's programming covers a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, college athletics, and international competitions. The company secures rights to major leagues and events through long-term agreements and distributes content via cable, satellite, over-the-top streaming, and mobile platforms. Advertising and affiliate carriage fees are central to its business model. Its streaming service, ESPN+, offers a mix of live events, on-demand libraries, and exclusive sports programming.

ESPN has shaped the landscape of sports media by popularizing 24-hour sports coverage and sports talk programming, while also facing criticism over rights costs, reliance on costly contracts, and carriage disputes. It remains a dominant force in American sports broadcasting and a major player in global sports media.