In the summer of 1978, the Rasmussens, with Eagan and his associate Bob Beyus – who owned a video production company – began to seek out support from cable operators and potential investors for the sports channel which they had come to name the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESP). [2] .

ESPN launched on September 7, 1979, beginning with the first telecast of what would become the channel's flagship program, SportsCenter. Taped in front of a small live audience inside the Bristol studios, it was broadcast to 1.4 million cable subscribers throughout the United States. [8]

2024年1月16日 · ESPN International launches its first network, ESPN in Latin America. ESPN Radio launches. The first-ever ESPY Awards and the birth of The V Foundation. ESPN2 launches in 10 million homes. ESPN acquires Creative Sports (later combined with OCC, purchased in 1993, to form ESPN Regional Television). ESPNET SportsZone (now ESPN.com) launches.

2025年1月22日 · ESPN, Inc., cable television sports-broadcasting network based in Bristol, Conn. It was launched in 1979 and is one of the largest cable networks in the United States. Its success engendered additional ESPN networks, including an international sports network.

ESPN Inc. was founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, initially as an attempt to broadcast sports in Connecticut over an "Entertainment and Sports Programming Network" (ESPN) cable channel, and soon became a nationwide cable sports network.

2015年3月30日 · A recap of key events in the history of ESPN.com 1995 — ESPNet SportsZone, a partnership between ESPN and Starwave Corp., makes its debut. 1996 — Debut of GameCast, a Java-based product providing live scoreboards and statistics of games in progress.

ESPN, Inc., the leading destination for American sports fans, continued its growth in 2002, led by major programming acquisitions and original programs, increased viewership, greater distribution of its domestic networks, and international network launches.

2012年9月13日 · In 1994, Bill Rasmussen was honored by Sports Illustrated as one of 40 individuals who have had the greatest impact on the world of sports over the past 40 years. In this interview, Bill talks...

2024年12月2日 · ESPN personalities recently gathered to celebrate 45 years on TV, recalling how the network started with a couple of satellite dishes and no playbook.

2024年9月2日 · At 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 7, 1979 — 45 years ago Saturday — the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, or ESPN, first began broadcasting on U.S. …