One of ESPN’s most senior executives is leaving the sports giant.
Norby Williamson, a 40-year ESPN veteran who was the head of events and studio production, will leave the company Friday, ESPN president of content Burke Magnus wrote in a memo to staff.
“Almost 40 years ago in 1985, I was so very fortunate to be offered an opportunity at ESPN. Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity and commitment of the people of ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left our great company in a far better place than we found it,” Williamson said in a statement.
Magnus also thanked Williamson for his time with the company and the contributions to its content. A source notes that Magnus took over the top content job at the company a year ago, and that there just wasn’t an alignment on strategy,...
Norby Williamson, a 40-year ESPN veteran who was the head of events and studio production, will leave the company Friday, ESPN president of content Burke Magnus wrote in a memo to staff.
“Almost 40 years ago in 1985, I was so very fortunate to be offered an opportunity at ESPN. Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity and commitment of the people of ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left our great company in a far better place than we found it,” Williamson said in a statement.
Magnus also thanked Williamson for his time with the company and the contributions to its content. A source notes that Magnus took over the top content job at the company a year ago, and that there just wasn’t an alignment on strategy,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ESPN EVP of Production Norby Williamson, who helped build SportsCenter into a signature franchise but recently had a public clash with Pat McAfee, is departing after nearly 40 years at the network.
Burke Magnus, President of Content, relayed the news to employees in a memo Friday morning. (Read it in full below.) Magnus said the Disney sports division would soon be conducting “a full search for a new senior content executive.” He also saluted Williamson’s “steadfast commitment and attention to detail, Norby has had a lasting impact on the sports fans’ experience.”
A statement from Williamson was also included in the internal memo. “Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity and commitment of the people of ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left our great company in a far better place than we found it,” the statement said.
Through a...
Burke Magnus, President of Content, relayed the news to employees in a memo Friday morning. (Read it in full below.) Magnus said the Disney sports division would soon be conducting “a full search for a new senior content executive.” He also saluted Williamson’s “steadfast commitment and attention to detail, Norby has had a lasting impact on the sports fans’ experience.”
A statement from Williamson was also included in the internal memo. “Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity and commitment of the people of ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left our great company in a far better place than we found it,” the statement said.
Through a...
- 4/5/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Norby Williamson, the ESPN veteran who has managed everything from NFL coverage to “SportsCenter,” is leaving the Disney sports-media giant abruptly just weeks after being called out on camera in a surprise and unprecedented outburst by daytime host Pat McAfee.
The McAfee contretemps is not at the root of Williamson’s departure, according to a person familiar with the matter, but rather disagreements between the executive and the longer-term strategy being devised by Burke Magnus, who was handed oversight of content and news production in March of last year.
“Almost 40 years ago in 1985, I was so very fortunate to be offered an opportunity at ESPN,: Williamson said in a statement that was issued in a memo to staffers Friday. “Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity and commitment of the people of ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left...
The McAfee contretemps is not at the root of Williamson’s departure, according to a person familiar with the matter, but rather disagreements between the executive and the longer-term strategy being devised by Burke Magnus, who was handed oversight of content and news production in March of last year.
“Almost 40 years ago in 1985, I was so very fortunate to be offered an opportunity at ESPN,: Williamson said in a statement that was issued in a memo to staffers Friday. “Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity and commitment of the people of ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left...
- 4/5/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Pat McAfee is standing firm on his claims that an ESPN executive was “trying to sabotage” his show.
The football commentator addressed his remarks from Friday’s show on Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show, which airs its first two hours on ESPN, followed by a third hour on ESPN+ and his YouTube channel.
“There was some comments about a particular person at ESPN that I made only on the YouTube and ESPN+ show,” McAfee said after giving ESPN a shoutout for “setting us pretty good” to cover the college football National Championship. “That wasn’t even on linear TV. I didn’t know anybody was going to hear it because it was just on digital.”
McAfee aired his grievances on Friday’s episode against Norby Williamson, who the ESPN analyst accused of leaking information that “sets a narrative of what our show is.” With headlines about McAfee’s claims being reported,...
The football commentator addressed his remarks from Friday’s show on Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show, which airs its first two hours on ESPN, followed by a third hour on ESPN+ and his YouTube channel.
“There was some comments about a particular person at ESPN that I made only on the YouTube and ESPN+ show,” McAfee said after giving ESPN a shoutout for “setting us pretty good” to cover the college football National Championship. “That wasn’t even on linear TV. I didn’t know anybody was going to hear it because it was just on digital.”
McAfee aired his grievances on Friday’s episode against Norby Williamson, who the ESPN analyst accused of leaking information that “sets a narrative of what our show is.” With headlines about McAfee’s claims being reported,...
- 1/8/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney wants to get into the Brittney Griner business.
The inspirational WNBA All-Star, who was arrested and held in Russia in 2022 and sentenced to nine years in prison, will give Disney the exclusive rights to share her story via a documentary feature from ESPN Films, the development of a scripted series through ABC Signature and an exclusive interview with ABC News anchor Robin Roberts. Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, will also serve as an executive producer on the projects.
“Brittney is an exceptional athlete whose hardship and resilience are nothing short of extraordinary,” said Burke Magnus, president, content, ESPN, in a statement. “We are thrilled to be working with her to tell the nuances of her story and feel confident that this documentary will captivate audiences everywhere.”
Disney has tried to spotlight athletes with stirring stories in the past. In 2020, the company struck a first-look deal with former NFL quarterback...
The inspirational WNBA All-Star, who was arrested and held in Russia in 2022 and sentenced to nine years in prison, will give Disney the exclusive rights to share her story via a documentary feature from ESPN Films, the development of a scripted series through ABC Signature and an exclusive interview with ABC News anchor Robin Roberts. Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, will also serve as an executive producer on the projects.
“Brittney is an exceptional athlete whose hardship and resilience are nothing short of extraordinary,” said Burke Magnus, president, content, ESPN, in a statement. “We are thrilled to be working with her to tell the nuances of her story and feel confident that this documentary will captivate audiences everywhere.”
Disney has tried to spotlight athletes with stirring stories in the past. In 2020, the company struck a first-look deal with former NFL quarterback...
- 12/7/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
A year after WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from a Russian prison, she has signed a sweeping deal with Disney.
The basketball star has signed up to tell her story in a documentary feature from ESPN Films and a scripted series in development with ABC Signature as well as her first exclusive interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts.
The projects will be exec produced by Brittney’s wife Cherelle Griner as well as her longtime manager Lindsay Kagawa, who is EVP Talent, Wasserman and The Collective, and Brillstein’s Co-CEO Jon Liebman.
It marks a partnership between Brillstein and Wasserman, which serves as the production company, that started nearly a year before the latter acquired the former in a massive deal in the representation space. That deal gave Wasserman access to Brillstein’s expertise in the entertainment space and gave Brillstein access to Wasserman clients. This Griner deal, which...
The basketball star has signed up to tell her story in a documentary feature from ESPN Films and a scripted series in development with ABC Signature as well as her first exclusive interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts.
The projects will be exec produced by Brittney’s wife Cherelle Griner as well as her longtime manager Lindsay Kagawa, who is EVP Talent, Wasserman and The Collective, and Brillstein’s Co-CEO Jon Liebman.
It marks a partnership between Brillstein and Wasserman, which serves as the production company, that started nearly a year before the latter acquired the former in a massive deal in the representation space. That deal gave Wasserman access to Brillstein’s expertise in the entertainment space and gave Brillstein access to Wasserman clients. This Griner deal, which...
- 12/7/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Booming sports media personality and former Colts punter Pat McAfee brings his popular sports radio show to ESPN as part of the sports network’s new daytime talk lineup. Adding McAfee’s show to ESPN’s lineup is just the next step for the former punter who has built a media empire across multiple companies. McAfee is already a panelist on “ESPN College GameDay” every Saturday morning during the fall, but now you will be able to see signature brand ox exuberance Monday through Friday as well. You can watch “The Pat McAfee Show” premiere on ESPN this Thursday, Sept. 7 at 12 noon Et on ESPN. You can watch ESPN with a 5-Day Free Trial of Directv Stream. You can also watch with Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV..
How to Watch 'The Pat McAfee Show' on ESPN When: Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 12:00 Pm Edt TV:...
How to Watch 'The Pat McAfee Show' on ESPN When: Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 12:00 Pm Edt TV:...
- 9/7/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
Don’t expect the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament or NBA basketball to disappear from ESPN any time soon. That certainty comes from ESPN president of content Burke Magnus, who spoke with The Athletic in a wide-ranging interview this week to talk about plans for the network’s future.
Magnus was asked about broadcast rights deals that are set to expire for ESPN in the coming years, such as women’s college basketball, which ESPN holds the rights to until the end of the 2023-24 season. Magnus pointed to the 25-year history of the sport on his channel and made it clear that he doesn’t expect the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament to go anywhere.
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“Oh, I think we’ll be very aggressive,” Magnus said regarding the future pursuit of the tournament’s rights. “You know how much pride we’ve taken in...
Magnus was asked about broadcast rights deals that are set to expire for ESPN in the coming years, such as women’s college basketball, which ESPN holds the rights to until the end of the 2023-24 season. Magnus pointed to the 25-year history of the sport on his channel and made it clear that he doesn’t expect the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament to go anywhere.
Sign Up Now $9.99 / month espnplus.com
“Oh, I think we’ll be very aggressive,” Magnus said regarding the future pursuit of the tournament’s rights. “You know how much pride we’ve taken in...
- 8/17/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has tapped Burke Magnus and Rosalyn Durant to help lead the network as part of its reorganization under returning Disney CEO Bob Iger.
According to a memo to staff, Magnus, a 28-year ESPN veteran who most recently served as president of programming and original content, will now lead the newly formed content organization as president, with oversight of studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, the Talent Office, audio, digital, and social media. Effective immediately, Stephanie Druley, David Roberts, Norby Williamson, Brian Lockhart and Kaitee Daley will all report to Burke.
Meanwhile, Rosalyn Durant will return to ESPN as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions. Durant has served as senior vice president of Disney Springs, Water Parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports since early 2020 and previously served as ESPN’s senior vice president of college networks, overseeing Espnu, SEC Network...
According to a memo to staff, Magnus, a 28-year ESPN veteran who most recently served as president of programming and original content, will now lead the newly formed content organization as president, with oversight of studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, the Talent Office, audio, digital, and social media. Effective immediately, Stephanie Druley, David Roberts, Norby Williamson, Brian Lockhart and Kaitee Daley will all report to Burke.
Meanwhile, Rosalyn Durant will return to ESPN as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions. Durant has served as senior vice president of Disney Springs, Water Parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports since early 2020 and previously served as ESPN’s senior vice president of college networks, overseeing Espnu, SEC Network...
- 3/1/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Former Maverick USA President John Hesling has been tapped to lead Fox Alternative Entertainment, the broadcaster’s in-house unscripted studio arm.
Hesling will oversee the development and production of all unscripted series owned by Fox Entertainment, TheWrap has confirmed. Those series include “The Masked Singer,” “Next Level Chef,” “Crime Scene Kitchen” and “Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer,” among others, alongside productions for third-party buyers in the U.S. and abroad, including “Love Trip: Paris” for Freeform and “The Big Deal” for Ireland’s Virgin Media Television in partnership with Dublin-based BiggerStage.
The veteran executive will report to Fox Entertainment President of Unscripted Programming Allison Wallach, who was elevated to the position in December 2022 after Rob Wade was promoted to CEO.
Also Read:
Kristen Bell Comedy Series Greenlit at Netflix
“I am so excited for John to join Fae and lead the incredible team we have assembled,” Wallach said. “His...
Hesling will oversee the development and production of all unscripted series owned by Fox Entertainment, TheWrap has confirmed. Those series include “The Masked Singer,” “Next Level Chef,” “Crime Scene Kitchen” and “Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer,” among others, alongside productions for third-party buyers in the U.S. and abroad, including “Love Trip: Paris” for Freeform and “The Big Deal” for Ireland’s Virgin Media Television in partnership with Dublin-based BiggerStage.
The veteran executive will report to Fox Entertainment President of Unscripted Programming Allison Wallach, who was elevated to the position in December 2022 after Rob Wade was promoted to CEO.
Also Read:
Kristen Bell Comedy Series Greenlit at Netflix
“I am so excited for John to join Fae and lead the incredible team we have assembled,” Wallach said. “His...
- 3/1/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
ESPN, which is now one of three corporate divisions of Disney, has reorganized its executive ranks accordingly, elevating content chief Burke Magnus and welcoming back Rosalyn Durant to a key role after a stint in the parks unit.
Jimmy Pitaro, who was elevated to chairman last month amid a larger revamp under Disney CEO Bob Iger, announced the new org structure in a staff memo. (Read it in full below.) The update gives Pitaro a more streamlined structure as the company continues to dismantle the Media and Entertainment Distribution infrastructure put in place by former CEO Bob Chapek. While speculation has swirled about the potential for a spinoff or divestiture of ESPN, Iger last month affirmed it is not for sale and will remain a “differentiator” as part of the Disney portfolio.
Magnus, a 28-year company vet who had been President, Programming & Original Content, will now hold the title of President,...
Jimmy Pitaro, who was elevated to chairman last month amid a larger revamp under Disney CEO Bob Iger, announced the new org structure in a staff memo. (Read it in full below.) The update gives Pitaro a more streamlined structure as the company continues to dismantle the Media and Entertainment Distribution infrastructure put in place by former CEO Bob Chapek. While speculation has swirled about the potential for a spinoff or divestiture of ESPN, Iger last month affirmed it is not for sale and will remain a “differentiator” as part of the Disney portfolio.
Magnus, a 28-year company vet who had been President, Programming & Original Content, will now hold the title of President,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
With ESPN now its own division within The Walt Disney Co., ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro is restructuring his senior leadership team.
Among the changes: Burke Magnus, a 28-year veteran of ESPN who was most recently president of programming and original content will now be president of content, overseeing ESPN’s studio shows, newsgathering and journalism, live events, talent, audio, social media, digital, and films.
“He is a strong relationship builder, both internally across Disney, and externally with our league partners, and will bring valuable institutional and industry knowledge to his new role as he builds upon our history of developing unparalleled storytelling across platforms.,” Pitaro wrote in a memo to staff Wednesday.
Pitaro also announced that Rosalyn Durant will join ESPN as executive vp of programming and acquisitions, overseeing rights negotiations, ESPN+, and ESPN International, among other ventures. Durant is an ESPN veteran, but was most recently at Disney’s parks and experiences division,...
Among the changes: Burke Magnus, a 28-year veteran of ESPN who was most recently president of programming and original content will now be president of content, overseeing ESPN’s studio shows, newsgathering and journalism, live events, talent, audio, social media, digital, and films.
“He is a strong relationship builder, both internally across Disney, and externally with our league partners, and will bring valuable institutional and industry knowledge to his new role as he builds upon our history of developing unparalleled storytelling across platforms.,” Pitaro wrote in a memo to staff Wednesday.
Pitaro also announced that Rosalyn Durant will join ESPN as executive vp of programming and acquisitions, overseeing rights negotiations, ESPN+, and ESPN International, among other ventures. Durant is an ESPN veteran, but was most recently at Disney’s parks and experiences division,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ESPN is getting in on the biggest game at corporate parent Disney: shuffling top executive ranks in the wake of the return of CEO Bob Iger.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro handed oversight of content and newsgathering to Burke Magnus, a veteran executive who has helped the sports-media giant strike sports-rights deals with most of the major sports leagues as well as set in motion new content initiatives. Magnus has been named president of content, according to a new memo from Pitaro reviewed by Variety, and will supervise studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, talent, audio, digital, and social media.
Meanwhile, Rosalyn Durant, a Disney veteran who has been overseeing Disney facilities in its parks division, will return to ESPN as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, the ESPN position that negotiates for the rights that keep a significant chunk of live sports on Disney’s media portfolio.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro handed oversight of content and newsgathering to Burke Magnus, a veteran executive who has helped the sports-media giant strike sports-rights deals with most of the major sports leagues as well as set in motion new content initiatives. Magnus has been named president of content, according to a new memo from Pitaro reviewed by Variety, and will supervise studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, talent, audio, digital, and social media.
Meanwhile, Rosalyn Durant, a Disney veteran who has been overseeing Disney facilities in its parks division, will return to ESPN as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, the ESPN position that negotiates for the rights that keep a significant chunk of live sports on Disney’s media portfolio.
- 3/1/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
All that Breathes topped the 2022 IDA Documentary Awards, winning best feature and two other competitive awards. The film was previously selected as the winner of the Pare Lorentz Award.
In addition to the top prize, the HBO title, which follows two brothers who run a bird hospital dedicated to rescuing injured black kites that are often affected by air pollution in New Delhi, won best director for helmer Shaunak Sen and best editing.
National Geographic and Neon’s Fire of Love documentary about volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, which led the nominations for the 38th annual International Documentary Association honors with five nods, won two awards.
The IDA Documentary Awards were presented in a ceremony at Los Angeles’ Paramount Theater, hosted by actor-comedian Jenny Yang.
Best Feature Documentary
All that Breathes (India, United States, United Kingdom | Sideshow and Submarine Deluxe, HBO Documentary Films...
All that Breathes topped the 2022 IDA Documentary Awards, winning best feature and two other competitive awards. The film was previously selected as the winner of the Pare Lorentz Award.
In addition to the top prize, the HBO title, which follows two brothers who run a bird hospital dedicated to rescuing injured black kites that are often affected by air pollution in New Delhi, won best director for helmer Shaunak Sen and best editing.
National Geographic and Neon’s Fire of Love documentary about volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, which led the nominations for the 38th annual International Documentary Association honors with five nods, won two awards.
The IDA Documentary Awards were presented in a ceremony at Los Angeles’ Paramount Theater, hosted by actor-comedian Jenny Yang.
Best Feature Documentary
All that Breathes (India, United States, United Kingdom | Sideshow and Submarine Deluxe, HBO Documentary Films...
- 12/11/2022
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Walt Disney Company and Formula 1 have extended their relationship with a new contract that will keep races on ESPN Networks in the U.S. through the 2025 season, it was announced Saturday at the Formula 1 Aramco Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
Under the agreement, ABC and ESPN will air at least 16 commercial-free races each season and includes expanded direct-to-consumer rights, giving ESPN flexibility to roll out additional ways for fans to watch over the next three years, including on ESPN+. Detail of that plan will come at a later date.
“Formula 1 and ESPN have been a strong and successful team and we’re delighted to extend our relationship,” Burke Magnus, ESPN President, Programming and Original Content, said. “We look forward to serving fans in some new and innovative ways in the next three years as we continue to bring the reach and relevance of the Walt Disney Company networks...
Under the agreement, ABC and ESPN will air at least 16 commercial-free races each season and includes expanded direct-to-consumer rights, giving ESPN flexibility to roll out additional ways for fans to watch over the next three years, including on ESPN+. Detail of that plan will come at a later date.
“Formula 1 and ESPN have been a strong and successful team and we’re delighted to extend our relationship,” Burke Magnus, ESPN President, Programming and Original Content, said. “We look forward to serving fans in some new and innovative ways in the next three years as we continue to bring the reach and relevance of the Walt Disney Company networks...
- 10/22/2022
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
Walt Disney Co. wants to keep auto racing on track.
The company’s ESPN has extended its current rights deal with Formula 1 racing, a pact sports agents have suggested has become surprisingly lucrative for an agreement not tied to football or basketball. The new contract will keep F1 races on ESPN networks in the United States through the 2025 season.
“Formula 1 and ESPN have been a strong and successful team and we’re delighted to extend our relationship,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of programming and original content, in a statement. “We look forward to serving fans in some new and innovative ways in the next three years as we continue to bring the reach and relevance of the Walt Disney Company networks and platforms to Formula 1.”
Under terms of the new deal, at least 16 races will air on ABC and ESPN each season, more than in the previous...
The company’s ESPN has extended its current rights deal with Formula 1 racing, a pact sports agents have suggested has become surprisingly lucrative for an agreement not tied to football or basketball. The new contract will keep F1 races on ESPN networks in the United States through the 2025 season.
“Formula 1 and ESPN have been a strong and successful team and we’re delighted to extend our relationship,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of programming and original content, in a statement. “We look forward to serving fans in some new and innovative ways in the next three years as we continue to bring the reach and relevance of the Walt Disney Company networks and platforms to Formula 1.”
Under terms of the new deal, at least 16 races will air on ABC and ESPN each season, more than in the previous...
- 10/22/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Formula 1 is staying with Disney.
The auto racing juggernaut, which is in the midst of a global resurgence in popularity, has signed a new multi-year deal with The Walt Disney Co., running through the 2025 season. The deal was officially announced at the Formula 1 Aramco U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
The new deal will see at least 16 races air on ABC and ESPN each season, in the commercial-free format ESPN has been using in its current F1 deal. Critically for ESPN, however, the deal also includes streaming rights, with F1 races to come to the ESPN+ streaming service. Details on the streaming races will be announced at a later date.
While F1 has long been a popular sport in Europe and Asia, it has struggled in the U.S. next to domestic circuits like NASCAR. However, Drive to Survive on Netflix, combined...
Formula 1 is staying with Disney.
The auto racing juggernaut, which is in the midst of a global resurgence in popularity, has signed a new multi-year deal with The Walt Disney Co., running through the 2025 season. The deal was officially announced at the Formula 1 Aramco U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
The new deal will see at least 16 races air on ABC and ESPN each season, in the commercial-free format ESPN has been using in its current F1 deal. Critically for ESPN, however, the deal also includes streaming rights, with F1 races to come to the ESPN+ streaming service. Details on the streaming races will be announced at a later date.
While F1 has long been a popular sport in Europe and Asia, it has struggled in the U.S. next to domestic circuits like NASCAR. However, Drive to Survive on Netflix, combined...
- 10/22/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Formula 1 races will continue on ESPN Networks in the United States through the 2025 season.
A new multi-year contract renewal was announced in Austin at the second of two US stops for F1 during the 2022 season.
Under the renewal, at least 16 races will air on ABC and ESPN each season, more than in the previous five years since F1 returned to ESPN networks in 2018. Also, all race telecasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will continue the commercial-free presentation used over the past five seasons.
In what may be a harbinger of an as-yet unannounced but long-rumored online gambling venture, the new agreement also gives ESPN flexibility to roll out additional ways for US fans to explore F1 content over the next three years, including on ESPN+. The companies said details on that are to be announced later.
“Formula 1 and ESPN have been a strong and successful team and we’re delighted to extend our relationship,...
A new multi-year contract renewal was announced in Austin at the second of two US stops for F1 during the 2022 season.
Under the renewal, at least 16 races will air on ABC and ESPN each season, more than in the previous five years since F1 returned to ESPN networks in 2018. Also, all race telecasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will continue the commercial-free presentation used over the past five seasons.
In what may be a harbinger of an as-yet unannounced but long-rumored online gambling venture, the new agreement also gives ESPN flexibility to roll out additional ways for US fans to explore F1 content over the next three years, including on ESPN+. The companies said details on that are to be announced later.
“Formula 1 and ESPN have been a strong and successful team and we’re delighted to extend our relationship,...
- 10/22/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
ESPN, which already airs hundreds of college softball and women’s lacrosse games each spring, is set to become a destination for the pro versions of those sports as well.
The Disney-owned sports brand set a two-year agreement with emerging pro circuit Athletes United that will see more than 160 games air and stream on various platforms. Of the full roster of games, 34 of them will be broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2 and 56 will be on Espnu. Others will stream on ESPN+, as will a four-part unscripted series, Going Pro: Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse.
Athletes Unlimited, which started with a focus on softball in 2020, has since branched out to lacrosse, volleyball and basketball, deploying a unique, player-centric format. Instead of the conventional focus on city-based teams drafting players, traveling to games and determining a final winner through playoff rounds, Athletes Unlimited focuses on individual athletes and a more meaningful regular season. Weekly drafts constantly reshuffle teams.
The Disney-owned sports brand set a two-year agreement with emerging pro circuit Athletes United that will see more than 160 games air and stream on various platforms. Of the full roster of games, 34 of them will be broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2 and 56 will be on Espnu. Others will stream on ESPN+, as will a four-part unscripted series, Going Pro: Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse.
Athletes Unlimited, which started with a focus on softball in 2020, has since branched out to lacrosse, volleyball and basketball, deploying a unique, player-centric format. Instead of the conventional focus on city-based teams drafting players, traveling to games and determining a final winner through playoff rounds, Athletes Unlimited focuses on individual athletes and a more meaningful regular season. Weekly drafts constantly reshuffle teams.
- 4/27/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: ESPN has added more lacrosse to its linear and streaming offerings via a new rights deal with the Premier Lacrosse League, whose initial years on the air were with NBCUniversal.
The four-year deal will put all 47 of the Pll’s games, including playoffs, across ESPN, ESPN+, ABC and ESPN2 from June through September. Since the Pll’s inaugural season in 2019, it had been carried by NBCUniversal, initially on NBC Sports Network but increasingly on Peacock.
While the official announcement of the agreement did not specify a value, multiple people familiar with its terms said it fell in the range of eight figures. While that’s far from the multi-billion-dollar outlays for the NFL at the top end of the market, for both ESPN and the burgeoning league, it is a deal with considerable upside.
“We would like to really put our shoulder behind connecting the sport at all levels,...
The four-year deal will put all 47 of the Pll’s games, including playoffs, across ESPN, ESPN+, ABC and ESPN2 from June through September. Since the Pll’s inaugural season in 2019, it had been carried by NBCUniversal, initially on NBC Sports Network but increasingly on Peacock.
While the official announcement of the agreement did not specify a value, multiple people familiar with its terms said it fell in the range of eight figures. While that’s far from the multi-billion-dollar outlays for the NFL at the top end of the market, for both ESPN and the burgeoning league, it is a deal with considerable upside.
“We would like to really put our shoulder behind connecting the sport at all levels,...
- 3/23/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
The bargaining standoff between Major League Baseball and its players that led to last week’s cancellation of Opening Day is a particularly bitter pill to swallow for the local and national outlets that bring games to their most ardent fans — networks that already have experienced two seasons of Covid-driven disruptions.
On March 1, MLB took the dramatic step of tabling Opening Day games and activities set for March 31. It also canceled other early games for the 2022 season. The cancellations affect programming and advertising plans for baseball TV partners including ESPN, Turner Sports, Fox Sports, Sinclair Broadcast Group and NBC Sports Regional Networks and team channels like the Yankees’ Yes Network and the Dodgers’ Spectrum SportsNet LA.
“Like all baseball fans, we hope there is a resolution as soon as possible,” Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of programming and original content, tells Variety.
Negotiations have dragged on for months. After MLB...
On March 1, MLB took the dramatic step of tabling Opening Day games and activities set for March 31. It also canceled other early games for the 2022 season. The cancellations affect programming and advertising plans for baseball TV partners including ESPN, Turner Sports, Fox Sports, Sinclair Broadcast Group and NBC Sports Regional Networks and team channels like the Yankees’ Yes Network and the Dodgers’ Spectrum SportsNet LA.
“Like all baseball fans, we hope there is a resolution as soon as possible,” Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of programming and original content, tells Variety.
Negotiations have dragged on for months. After MLB...
- 3/9/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN executives have been trying since 2018 to convince Peyton Manning to join the in-studio broadcast team for their flagship “Monday Night Football.” Now they may be happier that he turned down those overtures.
That’s because the retired NFL quarterback has gained traction with an alternate “Monday Night Football” telecast for ESPN2 that he began hosting with his younger brother, Eli, another former all-star Qb, in September. The stakes couldn’t be higher for ESPN, the NFL or the TV business — even though the decidedly low-tech broadcast, which quickly came to be known as “ManningCast,” feels like a cross between hanging out in a sports bar and a glorified Zoom session.
The brothers have held forth for 10 Monday nights during the 2021 NFL season, offering live banter and crosstalk alongside the same feed of the game being broadcast on ESPN and sometimes ABC. Football fans who want traditional play-by-play game coverage...
That’s because the retired NFL quarterback has gained traction with an alternate “Monday Night Football” telecast for ESPN2 that he began hosting with his younger brother, Eli, another former all-star Qb, in September. The stakes couldn’t be higher for ESPN, the NFL or the TV business — even though the decidedly low-tech broadcast, which quickly came to be known as “ManningCast,” feels like a cross between hanging out in a sports bar and a glorified Zoom session.
The brothers have held forth for 10 Monday nights during the 2021 NFL season, offering live banter and crosstalk alongside the same feed of the game being broadcast on ESPN and sometimes ABC. Football fans who want traditional play-by-play game coverage...
- 2/10/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN will continue to be the exclusive home of Wimbledon in the U.S. under the terms of a new 12-year agreement with the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the Disney-owned sportscaster said Friday.
The extended deal for the annual Wimbledon championships fortnight — currently ongoing and one of sports’ most prestigious events — begins with the 2024 Championships and runs through 2035.
The deal calls for ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC to continue to present 140-plus hours of coverage over the fortnight but will add live coverage on ABC of play on the middle weekend of the event. This addition of ABC will begin next year, two years before the new agreement takes effect.
ESPN+ will have live streaming of all courts throughout the fortnight and will be the only place to get full match replays for all matches.
The extended deal for the annual Wimbledon championships fortnight — currently ongoing and one of sports’ most prestigious events — begins with the 2024 Championships and runs through 2035.
The deal calls for ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC to continue to present 140-plus hours of coverage over the fortnight but will add live coverage on ABC of play on the middle weekend of the event. This addition of ABC will begin next year, two years before the new agreement takes effect.
ESPN+ will have live streaming of all courts throughout the fortnight and will be the only place to get full match replays for all matches.
- 7/9/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
ESPN and Wimbledon’s Aeltc (All England Lawn Tennis Club) have extended their pact for another dozen years. As part of the new deal, which runs through 2035, ESPN+ will stream the action on all courts, and ABC gets live matches on the prestigious tennis major’s middle weekend.
Yeah, there will be no more resting on the tourney’s “middle Sunday,” which was its tradition. Blame the broadcast network, which shares the same parent company, Disney, with ESPN.
Though the new deal technically begins in 2024, the ABC stuff starts next year.
Wimbledon matches have previously streamed on both ESPN+ and ESPN3, but this agreement allows for every single one of them to be seen on the sports SVOD service. Going forward, ESPN+ will be the lone platform for full replays of matches.
“The sporting world recognizes that Wimbledon is equated with excellence, and we are thrilled and proud to continue...
Yeah, there will be no more resting on the tourney’s “middle Sunday,” which was its tradition. Blame the broadcast network, which shares the same parent company, Disney, with ESPN.
Though the new deal technically begins in 2024, the ABC stuff starts next year.
Wimbledon matches have previously streamed on both ESPN+ and ESPN3, but this agreement allows for every single one of them to be seen on the sports SVOD service. Going forward, ESPN+ will be the lone platform for full replays of matches.
“The sporting world recognizes that Wimbledon is equated with excellence, and we are thrilled and proud to continue...
- 7/9/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
ESPN struck a new 12-year deal with All-England Lawn Tennis Club that expands the company’s ability to show the iconic Wimbledon tennis championships to sports fans who may be gravitating to forms of video other than traditional TV.
The new pact, which begins with the 2024 Championships and extends through 2035, calls for more matches to be shown on both ESPN’s Disney sibling ABC, as well as on ESPN Plus, its subscription broadband service. Under terms of the deal, ESPN Plus will live-stream all courts at Wimbledon during the event and will be the only outlet to feature full replays for all matches. Aeltc will also make available live coverage of qualifying rounds as well as archival material such as films, classic matches, highlight shows and press conferences. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will continue to show 140 hours of coverage, with a new coterie of live coverage on ABC in the...
The new pact, which begins with the 2024 Championships and extends through 2035, calls for more matches to be shown on both ESPN’s Disney sibling ABC, as well as on ESPN Plus, its subscription broadband service. Under terms of the deal, ESPN Plus will live-stream all courts at Wimbledon during the event and will be the only outlet to feature full replays for all matches. Aeltc will also make available live coverage of qualifying rounds as well as archival material such as films, classic matches, highlight shows and press conferences. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will continue to show 140 hours of coverage, with a new coterie of live coverage on ABC in the...
- 7/9/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN promoted its top programming executive Burke Magnus to president of programming and original content. He previously held the executive vice president title.
Magnus, who oversees all programming and rights acquisition and scheduling, added oversight of original content for ESPN and ESPN+, following the departure of Connor Schell. In his role, Magnus is responsible for rightsholder relationships, content strategy and cross-platform programming rights acquisition/scheduling on a global basis.
This year alone, Magnus led ESPN’s pricey 11-year rights renewal with the NFL, which adds ABC to the Super Bowl rotation as well as put games on ESPN+, including some exclusively. The new deal keeps Disney in the NFL family through 2033. ESPN also cut a seven-year extension with MLB, as well brought back the NHL after a 17-year absence with another seven-year deal.
“Burke is a talented leader and collaborative colleague who has been instrumental in guiding ESPN through what...
Magnus, who oversees all programming and rights acquisition and scheduling, added oversight of original content for ESPN and ESPN+, following the departure of Connor Schell. In his role, Magnus is responsible for rightsholder relationships, content strategy and cross-platform programming rights acquisition/scheduling on a global basis.
This year alone, Magnus led ESPN’s pricey 11-year rights renewal with the NFL, which adds ABC to the Super Bowl rotation as well as put games on ESPN+, including some exclusively. The new deal keeps Disney in the NFL family through 2033. ESPN also cut a seven-year extension with MLB, as well brought back the NHL after a 17-year absence with another seven-year deal.
“Burke is a talented leader and collaborative colleague who has been instrumental in guiding ESPN through what...
- 6/3/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Burke Magnus, who first joined ESPN in 1995, has been promoted to president of programming and original content.
He will continue to report to Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content. Before being upped, Magnus was EVP of programming and original content.
“Burke is a talented leader and collaborative colleague who has been instrumental in guiding ESPN through what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging and critical periods in our history,” Pitaro said. “He is an industry-leading programming strategist who continues to take on new challenges with his signature combination of relationship building and creativity.”
The move comes several months after ESPN laid off roughly 10% of its workforce. Connor Schell, who had headed content, exited last November. The Disney-owned sports powerhouse took a big hit from the coronavirus pandemic. While it remains highly profitable, its traditional subscriber base is continuing to erode as pay-tv customers cut the cord.
He will continue to report to Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content. Before being upped, Magnus was EVP of programming and original content.
“Burke is a talented leader and collaborative colleague who has been instrumental in guiding ESPN through what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging and critical periods in our history,” Pitaro said. “He is an industry-leading programming strategist who continues to take on new challenges with his signature combination of relationship building and creativity.”
The move comes several months after ESPN laid off roughly 10% of its workforce. Connor Schell, who had headed content, exited last November. The Disney-owned sports powerhouse took a big hit from the coronavirus pandemic. While it remains highly profitable, its traditional subscriber base is continuing to erode as pay-tv customers cut the cord.
- 6/3/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Burke Magnus, the ESPN executive who oversees rights negotiations for big-league broadcasts and other top sports content, has been named president of programming and original content at the Walt Disney sports-media giant.
The move reflects new duties Magnus has taken on in the wake of the departure of Connor Schell, who was previously ESPN’s top content executive. Magnus was already supervising scheduling and programming acquisitions. Since November, however, he has been responsible for all original content development on ESPN and its streaming outlet ESPN Plus — duties that include responsibility for ESPN Films and the company’s “30 for 30″ documentary franchise. Magnus will continue to report to Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN.
“Burke is a talented leader and collaborative colleague who has been instrumental in guiding ESPN through what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging and critical periods in our history,” Pitaro said, in a statement. “He is an...
The move reflects new duties Magnus has taken on in the wake of the departure of Connor Schell, who was previously ESPN’s top content executive. Magnus was already supervising scheduling and programming acquisitions. Since November, however, he has been responsible for all original content development on ESPN and its streaming outlet ESPN Plus — duties that include responsibility for ESPN Films and the company’s “30 for 30″ documentary franchise. Magnus will continue to report to Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN.
“Burke is a talented leader and collaborative colleague who has been instrumental in guiding ESPN through what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging and critical periods in our history,” Pitaro said, in a statement. “He is an...
- 6/3/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN has promoted Burke Magnus to president of programming and original content. Magnus, who had been an executive vp at ESPN, will continue to report to chairman of ESPN and sports content Jimmy Pitaro.
In his expanded role, Magnus will oversee all programming and content for ESPN’s linear channels as well as the ESPN+ streaming service, including ESPN Films and the 30 for 30 franchise. He also oversees rights acquisition (such as The Walt Disney Co.’s blockbuster NFL deal announced earlier this year) as well as program scheduling.
Magnus, a longtime ESPN executive, is one of the corporate leaders helping transform ...
In his expanded role, Magnus will oversee all programming and content for ESPN’s linear channels as well as the ESPN+ streaming service, including ESPN Films and the 30 for 30 franchise. He also oversees rights acquisition (such as The Walt Disney Co.’s blockbuster NFL deal announced earlier this year) as well as program scheduling.
Magnus, a longtime ESPN executive, is one of the corporate leaders helping transform ...
ESPN has promoted Burke Magnus to president of programming and original content. Magnus, who had been an executive vp at ESPN, will continue to report to The Walt Disney Co.’s chairman of ESPN and sports content, Jimmy Pitaro.
In his expanded role, Magnus will oversee all programming and content for ESPN’s linear channels as well as the ESPN+ streaming service, including ESPN Films and the 30 for 30 franchise. He also oversees rights acquisition (such as Disney’s blockbuster NFL deal announced earlier this year) as well as program scheduling.
Magnus, a longtime ESPN executive, is one of the corporate leaders ...
In his expanded role, Magnus will oversee all programming and content for ESPN’s linear channels as well as the ESPN+ streaming service, including ESPN Films and the 30 for 30 franchise. He also oversees rights acquisition (such as Disney’s blockbuster NFL deal announced earlier this year) as well as program scheduling.
Magnus, a longtime ESPN executive, is one of the corporate leaders ...
Former ESPN content executive Connor Schell is partnering with Chernin Entertainment to launch an unscripted studio. The announcement was made Wednesday by Schell and Peter Chernin, chairman and CEO of Chernin Entertainment.
Schell will serve as CEO and founder of the new studio, which does not yet have a name. The studio will develop and produce unscripted content both inside and outside the sports world.
Chernin Entertainment president Jenno Topping will oversee the collaboration from Chernin’s side, which includes a mutual first-look deal whereby she and Schell will identify opportunities to develop projects based on stories in their respective scripted and unscripted genres.
Schell left ESPN last year after a 16-year tenure, where he was most recently in charge of all non-sports programming and was instrumental in the network’s documentary content. He is best known for co-creating ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary franchise with Bill Simmons, and...
Schell will serve as CEO and founder of the new studio, which does not yet have a name. The studio will develop and produce unscripted content both inside and outside the sports world.
Chernin Entertainment president Jenno Topping will oversee the collaboration from Chernin’s side, which includes a mutual first-look deal whereby she and Schell will identify opportunities to develop projects based on stories in their respective scripted and unscripted genres.
Schell left ESPN last year after a 16-year tenure, where he was most recently in charge of all non-sports programming and was instrumental in the network’s documentary content. He is best known for co-creating ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary franchise with Bill Simmons, and...
- 2/10/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Yes, we all have the same joke: ESPN is going to the dogs.
The cable channel, owned by The Walt Disney Company, has signed a three-year deal with the American Kennel Club (Akc) to carry a bunch of Akc-sanctioned dog competitions, including this weekend’s Akc National Championship Presented by Royal Canin.
The deal makes ESPN the Akc’s sole television partner in the United States. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
As part of the pact, certain Akc events will stream live on the ESPN app. That aspect begins pretty much immediately, with the Akc Fastest Dog USA event live-streaming on the app this Friday from 2 p.m. Et to 4 p.m. EP. If you can’t figure out technology, check it out Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
The big one, the Akc National Championship, takes place this weekend in Orlando. It will stream live on...
The cable channel, owned by The Walt Disney Company, has signed a three-year deal with the American Kennel Club (Akc) to carry a bunch of Akc-sanctioned dog competitions, including this weekend’s Akc National Championship Presented by Royal Canin.
The deal makes ESPN the Akc’s sole television partner in the United States. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
As part of the pact, certain Akc events will stream live on the ESPN app. That aspect begins pretty much immediately, with the Akc Fastest Dog USA event live-streaming on the app this Friday from 2 p.m. Et to 4 p.m. EP. If you can’t figure out technology, check it out Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
The big one, the Akc National Championship, takes place this weekend in Orlando. It will stream live on...
- 12/7/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Libby Geist becomes the latest ESPN content executive to leave the Disney-owned sports media giant.
Geist, who served as vice president and executive producer for ESPN Films and original content, will leave at the end of the year, which was first reported by Sports Business Journal. Geist is now the second major programming executive to leave ESPN, following executive vice president of content Connor Schell’s decision last week to step away and form his own production company.
Geist had been with ESPN for 12 years and was an executive producer on two of the company’s most popular docuseries, “The Last Dance” and “Oj: Made in America.”
As with Schell, Libby Geist’s upcoming departure is unrelated to the massive job cuts that ESPN announced earlier this month. The company said it would be laying off 300 staffers and scrapping 200 open positions in an effort to shift more resources toward its direct-to-consumer business strategy,...
Geist, who served as vice president and executive producer for ESPN Films and original content, will leave at the end of the year, which was first reported by Sports Business Journal. Geist is now the second major programming executive to leave ESPN, following executive vice president of content Connor Schell’s decision last week to step away and form his own production company.
Geist had been with ESPN for 12 years and was an executive producer on two of the company’s most popular docuseries, “The Last Dance” and “Oj: Made in America.”
As with Schell, Libby Geist’s upcoming departure is unrelated to the massive job cuts that ESPN announced earlier this month. The company said it would be laying off 300 staffers and scrapping 200 open positions in an effort to shift more resources toward its direct-to-consumer business strategy,...
- 11/17/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Connor Schell, ESPN’s content boss, has confirmed that he is leaving the Disney-owned sports network to set up his own independent production company.
Schell, one of the architects of the broadcaster’s 30 for 30 documentary strand and exec producer on Michael Jordan series The Last Dance and Oj: Made In America, will leave the business on January 8.
Separately, Jodi Markley, Executive Vice President, Content Operations & Creative Services, is retiring and will step down April 2. Markley has been with the business since 1989.
This comes after ESPN unveils cut around 500 jobs worldwide including around 300 layoffs – around 10% of its workforce.
Schell has not offered many details of his new venture, although he will still work closely with ESPN Films and on the 30 for 30 strand and The ESPYs. He will also continue to serve as exec producer of its Colin Kaepernick docuseries and nine-part Tom Brady docuseries Man in the Arena.
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman,...
Schell, one of the architects of the broadcaster’s 30 for 30 documentary strand and exec producer on Michael Jordan series The Last Dance and Oj: Made In America, will leave the business on January 8.
Separately, Jodi Markley, Executive Vice President, Content Operations & Creative Services, is retiring and will step down April 2. Markley has been with the business since 1989.
This comes after ESPN unveils cut around 500 jobs worldwide including around 300 layoffs – around 10% of its workforce.
Schell has not offered many details of his new venture, although he will still work closely with ESPN Films and on the 30 for 30 strand and The ESPYs. He will also continue to serve as exec producer of its Colin Kaepernick docuseries and nine-part Tom Brady docuseries Man in the Arena.
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman,...
- 11/9/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
ESPN is divvying up responsibilities for content in the wake of senior executive Connor Schell’s decision to leave the sports-media giant to start his own production company.
Burke Magnus has long been the ESPN executive who makes sure the sports-media giant always has access to games from the big leagues. Now he will have the added task of ensuring ESPN has something to show when there’s no game on the air The Walt Disney-owned outlet said Magnus would take over original content development for ESPN and ESPN Plus, while Laura Gentile, senior vice president of marketing and social media, will gain oversight of the company’s social-media content and Stephanie Druley and Norby Williamson, two executives who oversee the production of games and in-studio shows, respectively, will take greater responsibility for them.
In a series of executive assignments unveiled Monday, Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content for Disney,...
Burke Magnus has long been the ESPN executive who makes sure the sports-media giant always has access to games from the big leagues. Now he will have the added task of ensuring ESPN has something to show when there’s no game on the air The Walt Disney-owned outlet said Magnus would take over original content development for ESPN and ESPN Plus, while Laura Gentile, senior vice president of marketing and social media, will gain oversight of the company’s social-media content and Stephanie Druley and Norby Williamson, two executives who oversee the production of games and in-studio shows, respectively, will take greater responsibility for them.
In a series of executive assignments unveiled Monday, Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content for Disney,...
- 11/9/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN has re-set its senior executive team in the wake of Connor Schell’s exit and Jodi Markley’s retirement.
Schell, who is leaving to form his own production company (with ESPN as its first client) was in charge of all-non sports programming and was instrumental in the network’s documentary content. He is best known for co-creating ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary franchise with Bill Simmons, and was an executive producer on “O.J.: Made in America” and “The Last Dance.” He was one of the network’s top lieutenants under Jimmy Pitaro, who serves as chairman of ESPN and other sports content at Disney, alongside Burke Magnus, who headed up programming and scheduling.
Markley, meanwhile, who served as executive vice president, Content Operations & Creative Services, has chosen to retire after 32 years.
Schell’s role will not be formally replaced but rather split across multiple executives. For example, Magnus...
Schell, who is leaving to form his own production company (with ESPN as its first client) was in charge of all-non sports programming and was instrumental in the network’s documentary content. He is best known for co-creating ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary franchise with Bill Simmons, and was an executive producer on “O.J.: Made in America” and “The Last Dance.” He was one of the network’s top lieutenants under Jimmy Pitaro, who serves as chairman of ESPN and other sports content at Disney, alongside Burke Magnus, who headed up programming and scheduling.
Markley, meanwhile, who served as executive vice president, Content Operations & Creative Services, has chosen to retire after 32 years.
Schell’s role will not be formally replaced but rather split across multiple executives. For example, Magnus...
- 11/9/2020
- by Tony Maglio and Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Connor Schell, ESPN’s executive vice president of content, is leaving the company at the end of the year, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
Schell’s departure is not said to be related to the massive job cuts at ESPN last week, the individual continued. Schell is leaving to start his own production company. ESPN declined to comment.
Schell was in charge of all-non sports programming and was instrumental in the network’s documentary content. He is best known for co-creating ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary franchise with Bill Simmons, and was an executive producer on “O.J.: Made in America” and “The Last Dance.” He was one of the network’s top lieutenants under Jimmy Pitaro, who serves as chairman of ESPN and other sports content at Disney, alongside Burke Magnus, who headed up programming and scheduling.
Last week, ESPN said it would be laying...
Schell’s departure is not said to be related to the massive job cuts at ESPN last week, the individual continued. Schell is leaving to start his own production company. ESPN declined to comment.
Schell was in charge of all-non sports programming and was instrumental in the network’s documentary content. He is best known for co-creating ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary franchise with Bill Simmons, and was an executive producer on “O.J.: Made in America” and “The Last Dance.” He was one of the network’s top lieutenants under Jimmy Pitaro, who serves as chairman of ESPN and other sports content at Disney, alongside Burke Magnus, who headed up programming and scheduling.
Last week, ESPN said it would be laying...
- 11/8/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
In a crucial moment for any TV network that wants to stay in the business of broadcasting NFL football games, ESPN this evening is calling in some big guns.
Before kickoff on tonight’s “Monday Night Football,” the sports-media giant will feature an opening segment designed with help from colleagues at Disney sibling Marvel. The montage looks similar to the opening of one of the studio’s super-hero blockbusters. Viewers will hear narration from Samuel L. Jackson, the actor who plays Nick Fury and has enjoyed a continuing presence in Marvel’s popular films. They will see players from tonight’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens depicted as if they were superheroes from one of Marvel’s colorful comic books. And then they will hear “Heavy Action,” the theme that has been have been an audio hallmark of the program since its tenure on ABC.
Before kickoff on tonight’s “Monday Night Football,” the sports-media giant will feature an opening segment designed with help from colleagues at Disney sibling Marvel. The montage looks similar to the opening of one of the studio’s super-hero blockbusters. Viewers will hear narration from Samuel L. Jackson, the actor who plays Nick Fury and has enjoyed a continuing presence in Marvel’s popular films. They will see players from tonight’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens depicted as if they were superheroes from one of Marvel’s colorful comic books. And then they will hear “Heavy Action,” the theme that has been have been an audio hallmark of the program since its tenure on ABC.
- 9/28/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Music and sports — arguably the two forms of mainstream entertainment hardest hit by the pandemic lockdown — will get some succor on Sunday when ESPN will air its first-ever concert: the Eagles’ “Live from the Forum Mmxviii.”
For those whose roman-numeral-translation skills are lacking, the concert dates from 2018, when the group was on an extensive North American tour that found core members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit accompanied by Vince Gill and Deacon Frey; the latter is the son of late Eagles cofounder Glenn Frey. The group arrived at the Forum in Los Angeles for three sold-out concerts on September 12, 14, and 15, with highlights from all three shows compiled into the new 26-song live album and concert film that premieres on ESPN Sunday night, presented by longtime Eagles fan, ESPN’s Chris Berman (who presumably will not say that the group “could… go… all… the… way!”).
“Music and sports...
For those whose roman-numeral-translation skills are lacking, the concert dates from 2018, when the group was on an extensive North American tour that found core members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit accompanied by Vince Gill and Deacon Frey; the latter is the son of late Eagles cofounder Glenn Frey. The group arrived at the Forum in Los Angeles for three sold-out concerts on September 12, 14, and 15, with highlights from all three shows compiled into the new 26-song live album and concert film that premieres on ESPN Sunday night, presented by longtime Eagles fan, ESPN’s Chris Berman (who presumably will not say that the group “could… go… all… the… way!”).
“Music and sports...
- 7/1/2020
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
The American Cornhole League (Acl) announced Cornhole Mania 2020 will be televised on ESPN and ESPN2 on Saturday, May 9.
The event will be held in Rock Hill, S.C. at the Rock Hill sports and events center. The doubles competition is slated for 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Et on ESPN, with singles in primetime on ESPN2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to televise live sports on our networks for fans to enjoy,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming. “These past two months, we’ve seen the importance of shared experiences in uniting us all. We look forward to continuing that with the upcoming Acl pro qualifier.”
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Acl pivoted to virtual and digital competition in recent weeks, allowing more than 60,000 Acl registered players to compete through Acl Virtual and Facebook while staying at home.
Commissioner...
The event will be held in Rock Hill, S.C. at the Rock Hill sports and events center. The doubles competition is slated for 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Et on ESPN, with singles in primetime on ESPN2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to televise live sports on our networks for fans to enjoy,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming. “These past two months, we’ve seen the importance of shared experiences in uniting us all. We look forward to continuing that with the upcoming Acl pro qualifier.”
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Acl pivoted to virtual and digital competition in recent weeks, allowing more than 60,000 Acl registered players to compete through Acl Virtual and Facebook while staying at home.
Commissioner...
- 5/6/2020
- by Klaritza Rico
- Variety Film + TV
Sports-starved ESPN has reached a deal with Eclat Media Group to televise six weekly games played by the Korean Baseball Organization.
The U.S. rights deal will kick off at 1Am Et on Tuesday with an opening-day telecast on ESPN, with a lead-in from SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.
Major League Baseball, which typically supplies dozens of hours of weekly programming to ESPN, has been sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic, along with other college and pro sports. South Korea has won acclaim for how it has managed the pandemic, emerging on the other side with a more sustained reopening than other parts of Asia.
One game will air weekday mornings at 5:30Am Et from Tuesday to Friday and then Saturdays at 4Am Et and Sundays at 1Am Et, generally on ESPN2 and on the ESPN app. The telecasts will air Tuesdays-Fridays at 5:30 a.m. Et, Saturdays at 4 a.
The U.S. rights deal will kick off at 1Am Et on Tuesday with an opening-day telecast on ESPN, with a lead-in from SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.
Major League Baseball, which typically supplies dozens of hours of weekly programming to ESPN, has been sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic, along with other college and pro sports. South Korea has won acclaim for how it has managed the pandemic, emerging on the other side with a more sustained reopening than other parts of Asia.
One game will air weekday mornings at 5:30Am Et from Tuesday to Friday and then Saturdays at 4Am Et and Sundays at 1Am Et, generally on ESPN2 and on the ESPN app. The telecasts will air Tuesdays-Fridays at 5:30 a.m. Et, Saturdays at 4 a.
- 5/4/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
With U.S. sports shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic, ESPN is turning to international options.
The Walt Disney-owned sports-media giant, scrambling to fill its programming grid as most major U.S. sports leagues have suspended play, said it had struck a deal with Eclat Media Group to show six live 2020 regular-season games per week from the Kbo League, South Korea’s baseball organization. One game will air each day, Tuesday through Sunday, generally on ESPN2 and on the ESPN App – but the telecasts will air in wee-morning hours, owing to the time difference between the U.S. and South Korean. An opening-day broadcast featuring The Lions vs. Dinos will air on ESPN, following a “SportsCenter” with Scott Van Pelt.
“We’re thrilled to become the exclusive English-language home to the Kbo League and to showcase its compelling action and high-level of competition,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice president,...
The Walt Disney-owned sports-media giant, scrambling to fill its programming grid as most major U.S. sports leagues have suspended play, said it had struck a deal with Eclat Media Group to show six live 2020 regular-season games per week from the Kbo League, South Korea’s baseball organization. One game will air each day, Tuesday through Sunday, generally on ESPN2 and on the ESPN App – but the telecasts will air in wee-morning hours, owing to the time difference between the U.S. and South Korean. An opening-day broadcast featuring The Lions vs. Dinos will air on ESPN, following a “SportsCenter” with Scott Van Pelt.
“We’re thrilled to become the exclusive English-language home to the Kbo League and to showcase its compelling action and high-level of competition,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice president,...
- 5/4/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN will give two spins to “Last Dance.”
After moving up the premiere date for the much-anticipated documentary series about Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls to this Sunday, ESPN plans to air two versions of the ten-part project: one, with all the athletes’ rough language intact, will air on the company’s flagship cable network; the other, with profanity edited out, will air simultaneously on ESPN2.
“We take a lot of pride in sports as a communal viewing experience. All members of the family get to watch this,” says Connor Schell, executive vice president of content at ESPN, in an interview. “We felt this was the right thing to do.” Hearing the unedited interviews, he adds, “makes it feel more honest and more authentic and raw.”
On ESPN, viewers will hear every ‘F,’ ‘Mf’ and ‘S.’ On ESPN2, those letters (when attached to words that are deemed scurrilous...
After moving up the premiere date for the much-anticipated documentary series about Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls to this Sunday, ESPN plans to air two versions of the ten-part project: one, with all the athletes’ rough language intact, will air on the company’s flagship cable network; the other, with profanity edited out, will air simultaneously on ESPN2.
“We take a lot of pride in sports as a communal viewing experience. All members of the family get to watch this,” says Connor Schell, executive vice president of content at ESPN, in an interview. “We felt this was the right thing to do.” Hearing the unedited interviews, he adds, “makes it feel more honest and more authentic and raw.”
On ESPN, viewers will hear every ‘F,’ ‘Mf’ and ‘S.’ On ESPN2, those letters (when attached to words that are deemed scurrilous...
- 4/15/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran sports producer Fred Gaudelli was taking a walk recently to clear his head in tough times when a top executive at the National Football League reached out to him: Do you have any desire to run some of our old football games on TV?
Under normal circumstances, the answer would likely be no. But normal went out the window about two weeks ago.
With live sports telecasts knocked out by the global coronavirus pandemic, the nation’s biggest media companies are subsisting instead on broadcasts of older games. CBS Sports last Saturday and Sunday aired classic Ncaa March Madness tournament games, going back as far as a 1992 championship match between the University of North Carolina and Georgetown. The games proved a substitute for what would normally be rounds of the 2020 Ncaa event.
An old sports telecast used to have the same appeal as a stale pot of coffee. Games...
Under normal circumstances, the answer would likely be no. But normal went out the window about two weeks ago.
With live sports telecasts knocked out by the global coronavirus pandemic, the nation’s biggest media companies are subsisting instead on broadcasts of older games. CBS Sports last Saturday and Sunday aired classic Ncaa March Madness tournament games, going back as far as a 1992 championship match between the University of North Carolina and Georgetown. The games proved a substitute for what would normally be rounds of the 2020 Ncaa event.
An old sports telecast used to have the same appeal as a stale pot of coffee. Games...
- 3/26/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Considering we’re all stuck at home amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, if you’re a wrestling fan, you have a lot of ways to keep yourself busy.
First, WWE is running Raw (Mondays, USA Network) and SmackDown (Fridays, Fox) in empty-arenas at the WWE Performance Center and Aew is still running Dynamite (Wednesday, TNT). Impact Wrestling still has some episodes in the can to air and Mlw still has some episodes in the can to air n beIN Sports and on its YouTube channel.
That’s all new content. There’s plenty of archive footage to check out as well.
WWE and ESPN announced last week that they have partnered to air some old WrestleMania footage, which actually began this past Sunday with WrestleMania 30. This coming Sunday (March 29) WrestleMania 32 will air on ESPN and WrestleMania 35 from last year will air on April 5 at 3 p.m., which will lead up to...
First, WWE is running Raw (Mondays, USA Network) and SmackDown (Fridays, Fox) in empty-arenas at the WWE Performance Center and Aew is still running Dynamite (Wednesday, TNT). Impact Wrestling still has some episodes in the can to air and Mlw still has some episodes in the can to air n beIN Sports and on its YouTube channel.
That’s all new content. There’s plenty of archive footage to check out as well.
WWE and ESPN announced last week that they have partnered to air some old WrestleMania footage, which actually began this past Sunday with WrestleMania 30. This coming Sunday (March 29) WrestleMania 32 will air on ESPN and WrestleMania 35 from last year will air on April 5 at 3 p.m., which will lead up to...
- 3/24/2020
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
ESPN2 is getting creative with the live-sports-depleted schedule caused by the coronavirus pandemic that has brought sporting events to a screeching halt by offering its viewers a touch of puppy love.
In celebration of National Puppy Day on Monday, March 23, ESPN2 is running six hours of dog-related programming in the primetime beginning at 6 p.m. Et.
The featured programming all will either star or be related to Man’s Best Friends and their connection to sports. Take a look at the lineup as described by the network:
Also Read: How ESPN Plans to Survive Without Sports During Coronavirus Hiatus
6 p.m. – “Akc Agility Premier Cup”
Top Akc Agility dogs and handlers from around the country in competition on exciting and challenging agility courses designed to test their athleticism as well as their teamwork with their handler.
7 p.m. – “Dog Tales”
Three popular and touching dog-related features from the E:60 and...
In celebration of National Puppy Day on Monday, March 23, ESPN2 is running six hours of dog-related programming in the primetime beginning at 6 p.m. Et.
The featured programming all will either star or be related to Man’s Best Friends and their connection to sports. Take a look at the lineup as described by the network:
Also Read: How ESPN Plans to Survive Without Sports During Coronavirus Hiatus
6 p.m. – “Akc Agility Premier Cup”
Top Akc Agility dogs and handlers from around the country in competition on exciting and challenging agility courses designed to test their athleticism as well as their teamwork with their handler.
7 p.m. – “Dog Tales”
Three popular and touching dog-related features from the E:60 and...
- 3/22/2020
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
Sports networks grappling with widespread cancellations and postponements of not just games but entire seasons used this past week to frenetically prep schedules leaning heavily on new or expanded studio talk shows, rebroadcasts of earlier matchups and library content, if they’re lucky enough to have to have it. Networks and leagues said they’re deep in discussions about rights to air older games and about developing new programming for this coronavirus moment, but just how they’ll be filing airtime is extremely fluid.
Take the Tennis Channel, which Thursday announced a live studio show daily from 12-3 Pm (with 8 Pm and 11 Pm repeats) starting Monday, and rebroadcasts of 2019 matches and tournaments in the slots where the 2020 ones should be. Tennis was a harbinger when the 2020 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA, was among the first sporting events to shutter this month. That was March 8, and those in the...
Take the Tennis Channel, which Thursday announced a live studio show daily from 12-3 Pm (with 8 Pm and 11 Pm repeats) starting Monday, and rebroadcasts of 2019 matches and tournaments in the slots where the 2020 ones should be. Tennis was a harbinger when the 2020 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA, was among the first sporting events to shutter this month. That was March 8, and those in the...
- 3/21/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Of all the sports ESPN has shown over the years, professional wrestling matches from WWE haven’t really been on the list. That will change this weekend.
For three Sundays, the Disney-owned sports-media giant will air classic WrestleMania events on its flagship cable network and stream them on its mobile app. The initiative commences this Sunday at 7 p.m. eastern, when ESPN airs WrestleMania 30 from April, 2014. The colorful headlocks, figure-four leglocks and sleeper holds mark the latest example of ESPN working to fill its schedule with unorthodox content in the wake of the nation’s coronavirus crisis, which has put a stranglehold on all kinds of communal gatherings, including sports events.
“This unique opportunity is a byproduct of the terrific working relationship we’ve enjoyed with WWE over the years and the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in,” said Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming, ESPN, in a prepared statement.
For three Sundays, the Disney-owned sports-media giant will air classic WrestleMania events on its flagship cable network and stream them on its mobile app. The initiative commences this Sunday at 7 p.m. eastern, when ESPN airs WrestleMania 30 from April, 2014. The colorful headlocks, figure-four leglocks and sleeper holds mark the latest example of ESPN working to fill its schedule with unorthodox content in the wake of the nation’s coronavirus crisis, which has put a stranglehold on all kinds of communal gatherings, including sports events.
“This unique opportunity is a byproduct of the terrific working relationship we’ve enjoyed with WWE over the years and the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in,” said Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming, ESPN, in a prepared statement.
- 3/20/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
What’s a sports network to do when there are no more sports? That’s the dilemma ESPN faces right now as the coronavirus pandemic that has brought sporting events to a screeching halt. Typically around this time, ESPN would be preparing for the women’s Ncaa basketball tournament, the first pitch of the Mlb season and the tip off for the NBA playoffs in April. But after real-world issues collided with sports on an unprecedented scale last week, ESPN is left sifting through the rubble of a schedule now littered with holes. “Thursday, March 12, 2020 is a day none of us will soon forget,” Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming acquisitions and scheduling, said in an interview conducted by ESPN’s Front Row. The NBA made the decision to suspend its season on March 11 after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for Covid-19, which put every other sporting event on the clock.
- 3/17/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
ESPN’s latest sport has no rules, a flexible season and no championship game. Its only stars are the ones working behind the scenes.
The Disney-owned sports-media juggernaut finds itself in an impossible situation. The outlet spends millions to secure the rights to air hours and hours of live basketball, football, baseball, racing, boxing and mixed martial arts. In normal times, that’s a very successful business model. In a moment when the entire nation has been essentially sidelined, so too have the sports that ESPN depends upon so heavily. ESPN’s new game is to get people to keep watching even when the main thing they want to watch is not available.
“There are so many creative things we can do, similar to some of the initiatives we’ve done in the past for special event anniversaries, ‘The Ocho’ day and more,” says Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice president,...
The Disney-owned sports-media juggernaut finds itself in an impossible situation. The outlet spends millions to secure the rights to air hours and hours of live basketball, football, baseball, racing, boxing and mixed martial arts. In normal times, that’s a very successful business model. In a moment when the entire nation has been essentially sidelined, so too have the sports that ESPN depends upon so heavily. ESPN’s new game is to get people to keep watching even when the main thing they want to watch is not available.
“There are so many creative things we can do, similar to some of the initiatives we’ve done in the past for special event anniversaries, ‘The Ocho’ day and more,” says Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice president,...
- 3/17/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
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