ESPN: Last News

ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will team to televise the 2022 MLB Wild Card Series beginning Friday with four games, marking the debut of the reformatted and expanded baseball postseason.

Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri has insisted that he is 'eager' to play a role for the club this season under manager Erik ten Hag.

Nia Long is keeping herself centred amid scandal.

EXCLUSIVE: By design, the launch of ESPN+ in April 2018 did not resemble that of streaming sibling Disney+ a year and a half later, with its Mandalorian cannon shot and 10 million subscribers on Day 1.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney’s 20 cable and broadcast TV networks were restored Sunday night to the lineups of Dish Network’s services following a nearly 48-hour blackout, after the parties reached a “handshake agreement” on a new distribution deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution said the pact covering Dish TV and Sling TV “properly reflects fair market value” for the programming suite, which includes ESPN, Disney Channel, FX, Freeform and ABC owned-and-operated stations. According to Dish, Disney had asked for a $1 billion increase in fees as part of renewing the deal, which had expired Sept. 30. Dish also claimed that Disney was demanding that ESPN and ESPN2 be included in Dish TV packages that currently exclude sports channels, and to require ABC local channels to be carried for all subscribers in eight markets.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney’s suite of 20 TV channels was yanked off Dish Network’s satellite television and Sling TV services for customers across the U.S., after the two companies failed to reach a carriage-renewal deal Friday. Disney networks that are no longer on Dish TV and Sling TV include ESPN, FX, Disney Channel, Freeform and National Geographic, as well as ABC local stations in eight markets. The two companies’ previous carriage contract expired at midnight PT on Sept. 30. Dish is notorious in the pay-TV business for aggressive negotiating tactics with content companies — and hasn’t been afraid to sit through extended blackouts to . According to Dish, the media conglomerate had asked for a $1 billion increase in fees (though it’s not clear what that entails) and declined the pay-TV operator’s offer for a contract extension. Dish accused Disney of initiating the channel blackout and “hold[ing] viewers hostage for negotiation leverage.”

The end of September brought in the expiration of another carriage deal with no agreement in place to renew it. At midnight on Oct. 30, the Disney-owned television stations that carry ABC programming as well as cable networks ESPN, FX Networks, Nat Geo, Freeform and Disney Channel, are no longer available on Dish and Sling TV.

Rachel Nichols, a veteran sports TV host whose lengthy ESPN tenure was cut short by controversy, is finally re-emerging in a new on-air home.

The Walt Disney Co., after some cage-rattling by activist investor Daniel Loeb, has added former Viacom and Facebook exec Carolyn Everson to its board of directors.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor As a top executive at Facebook and Instacart, Carolyn Everson knows a lot about the habits of tech-savvy consumers. Soon, she may be able to help Walt Disney Co. figure out how to harness them. Disney plans to expand its board of directors to 12 from 11 and nominated Everson as a new member. The move is supported by Third Point LLC, the activist investor that in August took a new stake in Disney and suggested a litany of big moves, such as spinning off ESPN or buying out Comcast’s ownership of Hulu. “We have a productive and collegial relationship with Third Point, with whom we share a deep commitment to continue building on Disney’s many successes and increasing shareholder value,” said Disney CEO Bob Chapek in a prepared statement.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Rachel Nichols basketball-journalism career has taken a new bounce. The longtime sports reporter is joining Showtime’s sports division, where she will work on the unit’s basketball content vertical as both a host and producer. “We are delighted to welcome Rachel Nichols to the Showtime Basketball family,” said Brian Dailey, senior vice president of sports programming and content for Showtime, in a prepared statement. “Rachel brings unmatched journalistic credibility, great familiarity with our roster and a work ethic that will take us to another level.”

BreAnna Bell NBCUniversal’s Mac Budill has stepped down from his role as president of content distribution after 10 years, an NBC spokesperson tells Variety. Matt Schnaars, the current content distribution SVP, has been promoted to Budill’s position and will assume his duties beginning in November. The news of Schnaars’ appointment was delivered to NBC employees via memo from NBCU content distribution chairman Matt Bond. “Matt Schnaars is a well-respected leader with the clear vision and right relationships across our industry to guide our team as we continue to grow our streaming footprint, build on new capabilities like FAST channels and continue our longstanding network partnerships,” wrote Bond. “I also want to thank Mac Budill for his undeniable leadership over the past decade. His impact is felt throughout the distribution landscape, and we wish him the best on whatever he chooses to tackle next.”

Brett Favre is facing fraud allegations and SiriusXM has taken the step of placing his show on hold. The former football player has been hosting the show The SiriusXM Blitz With Brett Favre and Bruce Murray since 2018 and last aired on September 13.

Ime Udoka, the fiance of actress Nia Long, could reportedly face a one-year suspension from the NBA.

Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has opened up on his future at the Spanish club after being heavily linked with a return to Manchester United.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Field Yates thinks fantasy football is catching up in popularity to the real thing. “If you watch ‘SportsCenter though to the end, I’d bet if you put on an hour, there’s a pretty good chance, better than 50-50 you’re going to see at least one segment of fantasy sports,” he says in a recent interview.” I think it’s reflective of the appetite fans have for this type of content.” ESPN has signed Yates to a new multi-year deal, ensuring he’ll be around to host both the daily “Fantasy Focus Football Podcast” as well as “Fantasy Football Now,” while contributing NFL analysis across several ESPN programs.

A week after the Phoenix Suns’ primary owner was suspended by the NBA for “clearly” violating its workplace standards, Robert Sarver said today that he is “beginning the process of seeking buyers” for that team and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

NFL ratings are booming in just about every timeslot this season, and Monday Night Football is no exception. It kicked off on September 12 and drew 19.8 million total viewers, its biggest audience since 2009.

“Our league definitely got this wrong,” wrote LeBron James today just hours after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver went before the media to try and contain the fallout over what many consider mild sanctions on Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for sexist, racist and abusive behavior toward subordinates. James, like many former players and pundits, felt that “there is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place. Don’t matter if you own the team or play for the team.”

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney+ was first launched three years ago with the “pretty absurd” low price point of $6.99 per month, CEO Bob Chapek admitted. Now the company is gearing up to raise prices again on the flagship streamer — but Disney+ still offers a better price/value equation than competitors, he said. “I think we’re way underpriced relative to the value we provide,” Chapek said, noting that the core Disney+ service without ads will continue to be priced below several competitors. The CEO was speaking Wednesday at Goldman Sachs’ Communacopia + Technology Conference 2022. Amid rising inflation, Disney has announced price increases coming in the fourth quarter of 2022 for Disney+ and Hulu, as well as a December launch for the ad-supported Disney+ tier in the U.S. Disney+ Basic, the name of the plan with ads, will launch Dec. 8 in the U.S. for $7.99/month. That’s the price of the current ad-free version of Disney+, which at that time will bump up to $10.99/month, a 38% increase, and will be known as Disney+ Premium.

Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Muller gave his opinion on the Cristiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi debate ahead of the Bundesliga club's Champions League clash with Messi's former club Barcelona on Tuesday night.