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TNT Sports 4

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TNT Sports 4
CountryUnited Kingdom
Ireland
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom
Ireland
Programming
Picture format1080iHDTV
(downscaled to16:9576ifor theSDTVfeed)
Ownership
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe
BT Group
Sister channelsEurosport 1
Eurosport 2
TNT Sports 1
TNT Sports 2
TNT Sports 3
TNT Sports Box Office
History
Launched3 August 2009
Former namesESPN UK (2009–15)
BT Sport ESPN (2015–22)
BT Sport 4 (2022-23)
Availability
Streaming media
BT Sport PlayerWatch live(UK only)
Virgin TV AnywhereWatch live(UK only)
Now TVWatch live(Ireland only)

TNT Sports 4is a British sports television channel owned byWarner Bros. Discovery Sportsand theBT Group.It is part of theTNT Sportsgroup of channels in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and is predominantly focused on sports fromNorth America.

The channel was established byESPN Inc.on August 3, 2009 asESPN(orESPN UK), after having acquired a share of rights toEnglish Premier League.It served as ESPN's first UK channel devoted to domestic sport, as its pan-European sister networksESPN ClassicandESPN Americawere devoted to archive content and North American sport respectively. Alongside the Premier League, the channel acquired shares of the rights to theFA Cup,Scottish Premier League,Premiership Rugby,andUEFA Europa Leagueamong other properties. The channel also carried coverage of sport from the United States (such as theNBA,NFL,NHL,and U.S.college sports,some of which carried over from ESPN America), and ESPN original programmes.

In 2012, ESPN began losing many of its signature sport properties (including the Premier League) to BT Group and its forthcoming BT Sport service. On 25 February 2013, ESPN announced that it would exit the UK and Ireland market and sell its television operations to BT Group, which integrated the network into BT Sport upon its launch that August. The channel continued to operate under the ESPN name under licence, and was later co-branded asBT Sport ESPN.In 2015, BT Group reached a long-term deal withESPN Internationalto continue holding British rights to ESPN-owned sports rights and original programmes.

In August 2022, ahead of the joint venture of BT Sport withWarner Bros. Discovery,the channel dropped the ESPN branding and was rebranded as BT Sport 4, with no change in programmes. It was further rebranded TNT Sports 4 on 18 July 2023 as part of a rebranding of all BT Sport channels and this saw a significant reduction in coverage of American sport shown following the rebrand withNCAAaction currently no longer being shown. Therefore, TNT Sports 4's emphasis on American sport ended at this point.

History[edit]

ESPN International logo.

The channel launched on 3 August 2009 following ESPN's acquisition of partial UK broadcast rights to theEnglish Premier League(EPL) six weeks prior, caused in turn by the financial difficulties ofSetanta Sports,which ceased broadcasting inGreat Britainat about the same time.[1]It marked ESPN's first foray into live coverage of domestic sports events in the UK. Prior to August 2009, ESPN's only operations in the UK were archive sports channelESPN Classic,as well as the pan-EuropeanESPN Americachannel (then known as North American Sports Network), which focused onNorth Americansport.

On 13 June 2012, it was announced that ESPN had missed out on EPL broadcast rights from the 2013–14 to 2015–16 season to Sky Sports andBT,despite making a "strong bid".[2]The news followed speculation that ESPN was reconsidering its position in the UK.[3]In the following months, ESPN also lost the rights to Premiership Rugby, Premiership Rugby Sevens Series and American, Brazilian, French and Italian top-flight football to BT.[4][5]On 1 February 2013,Broadcastreported that ESPN had entered talks to sell off its remaining sports rights, believed to be worth more than £15m.[6]During The Walt Disney Company's first quarter earnings results conference call on 5 February 2013, Disney's chief financial officer Jay Rasulo confirmed that ESPN had "experienced losses" in the UK and was "exploring an exit".[7]On 25 February 2013, BT agreed to acquire ESPN's UK and Ireland TV channels business, which were integrated into BT Sport upon its launch. The value of the deal had not been disclosed, but BT was understood to be paying "low tens of millions".[8]

In January 2015, BT reached a long-term rights deal with ESPN, allowing the network to maintain its affiliation with ESPN International, and its rights to original programmes and sports properties owned by ESPN outright or to which it holds international rights.[9]On 9 June 2015, BT rebranded the channel asBT Sport ESPN.

On 11 May 2022, BT Group announced that the BT Sport channels would become a joint venture withWarner Bros. Discovery(WBD), and merge withEurosportUK at a later date.[10][11][12]On 1 August 2022, the ESPN branding was dropped from the channel, which was renamedBT Sport 4.It was then renamed once more to TNT Sports 4 in July 2023; at this time, the network significantly reduced its focus on carrying American sports.[citation needed]

Availability[edit]

Before August 2013[edit]

A carriage and retail agreement for both residential and commercial customers was struck withBritish Sky Broadcasting,who sold the channel through theirSkyplatform.[13]British Sky Broadcasting's Sky Media also acted as ad sales house for the channel.[14]Some events were also transmitted onSky 3Dincluding theWinter X Games XV,2011 FA Cup Finaland2011 NBA Finals.[15][16][17]From 22 July 2011 ESPN was available without additional charge to full Sky Sports Pack subscribers in Ireland.[18]

ESPN is available onVirgin Mediain standard and high definition as a part of the XL pack. M, M+ or L pack customers can subscribe to ESPN and BT Sport. A discount was previously available to Sky Sports subscribers.[19]After the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport on 1 August 2013, Virgin Media customers lost access to ESPN channels, despite Virgin Media and BT being in talks for more than 2 months prior to the switch over.[20]ESPN and ESPN HD returned on 15 August after BT signed a wholesale deal with Virgin Media for the carriage of BT Sport.[21]

Top Up TVcarried ESPN from 4 August 2009. A connection fee applied to non-Top Up TV subscribers, ex-Setantadigital terrestrial televisioncustomers or those without a viewing card.[22][23]On 26 July 2011 Top Up TV announced that ESPN would be available via aconditional-access module(CAM) when the CAM service was launched in August.[24]

BT Visionhas carried ESPN from 4 August 2009 as part of BT Vision's Value Packs (Bronze, Silver and Gold).[25][26]

On both BT Vision and Top Up TV, ESPN broadcasts from 14:00 – 04:00 on weekdays, 11:00 – 06:00 on Saturday and 11:00 – 04:00 on Sunday.[27]

TalkTalk TV(then known as Tiscali TV) carried ESPN from 14 August 2009, along with ESPN America.[28]

ESPN was available onSmallworld Cablewithout additional charge when taken with the Ultimate HD TV Pack. Other customers can subscribe to ESPN.[29]

On 14 August 2009, a deal with cable companyUPC Irelandand ESPN was reached. On that date ESPN and ESPN HD launched on UPC.[30]A discount is available to Sky Sports orSetanta Sports 1subscribers.ESPN Americaceased to be part of the Setanta Sports package on that date, and was bundled with ESPN instead. On 4 January 2010, UPC and ESPN announced a new deal whereby ESPN (including its HD counterpart) and ESPN America would become part of UPC's Digital Select Extra and Digital Max packages.[31]

ESPN offered a number of free periods, ranging between a weekend and a month.[32][33]In February 2012 a free weekend covered aPremier Leaguematch betweenManchester CityandFulham,marking the first time that a Premier League fixture had been broadcastfree-to-airin the UK.[34]During the same weekend the channel was also available onTVCatchup.[35]

From August 2013[edit]

After ESPN's acquisition byBT Groupin 2013, BT have included ESPN as part of theirBT SportPack and is available on Sky,Virgin Media,andBT TV,as well as online via the BT Sport website and BT Sport app. BT Sport 4 was also available in the Republic of Ireland througheir Sport.

Content[edit]

This section describes the content that ESPN UK was showing when BT Sport morphed ESPN UK into a channel focused mainly on American sport.

Basketball[edit]

On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced a deal to airEuroBasket.[36]

Cricket[edit]

On 22 July 2010, ESPN agreed a deal with theWest Indies Cricket Boardfor exclusive UK broadcast rights to the inaugural Caribbean T20 Tournament.[37]The event, which ran from 22–31 July, featured eight West IndianTwenty20teams, includingBarbados,Combined Campuses and Colleges,Guyana,Jamaica,Trinidad and Toboagoand theWindward Islandscompeting to win theCaribbean Twenty20title. These rights now air on BT Sport.

The channel has also completed a deal to show the inauguralSri Lanka Premier Leaguetournament in August 2012.

Football[edit]

English football[edit]

Premier League[edit]

The company announced on 22 June 2009 that it had secured the UK broadcast rights to thePremier Leaguefor four seasons, airing 46 games in the2009–10 seasonand 23 games a year for the following three seasons, following a missed payment by Setanta Sports which voided their contracts.[1][38]In Ireland, ESPN will air the same 46 matches during the 2009–10 season.[39]

Premier League coverage was produced by Sky Sports in-house production team, with former BBC presenterRay Stubbshosting, whileRebecca Lowereports from the touchline andJon Championand eitherChris WaddleorCraig Burleycalling the game.[40][41]Kevin Keeganis the lead analyst, whileGuus Hiddink,Shaka Hislop,Frank Leboeuf,Danny Murphy,Peter Reid,Matt Holland,andIan Wrightwere also signed to provide analysis.[42][43]Mark Chapman,Nat CoombsandKelly Catesalso form a part of the line up.IMG Sports Mediamake the studio shows and ancillary programming.[44]The first Premier League match to be shown on ESPN wasEverton's 6–1 loss againstArsenal.[45]

From the2010–11 seasonSky no longer produced coverage of matches, instead coverage was taken over by IMG Sports Media, in an effort to offer "quality and innovation" and introduce new technology from the broadcaster's US parent to help develop post-match analysis.[46][47]The change also affected FA Cup and Scottish Premier League coverage. ESPN have also increased the number of cameras at games from an average of 16 cameras to 23.[48]After ESPN lost the rights to the Premier League to BT Sport, ESPN Inc. sold the channel to BT Sport.

FA Cup[edit]

On 7 December 2009, it was reported that ESPN had secured the rights to 25 live and exclusiveFA Cupmatches per season from the 2010–11 season under a four season deal.[49][50]ESPN televised two matches in the FA Cup First and Second Rounds (plus up to two replays per round), three matches from the Third to Fifth Rounds (plus up to one replay), two quarter-finals (plus up to one replay), one semi-final, and aired theFA Cup FinalalongsideITV(which held the first pick of matches).[49][50]

ESPN's offer is thought to have been 60% higher than that tabled by the BBC, however, that bid is also understood to be for a longer contract period and still worth substantially less than the amount paid by Setanta.[49]

The2011,2012,and2013FA Cup finals were shown live on ESPN. In 2012 and 2013 the buildup coverage for the finals started from eight in the morning with 5.15 evening kick-offs. An outside standing studio was set up behind the goals for pre-match and post-match analysis presented byRay Stubbs.As ESPN was acquired by the BT Group before the start of the2013–14 season,the final year of ESPN's FA Cup contract, coverage of the competition moved to BT Sport.

Women's Super League[edit]

As part of a four-year deal for FA Cup coverage, formally announced on 8 December 2009, ESPN has exclusive media rights for the inauguralFA Women's Super Leaguein 2011.[50]The channel continues to show this after the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport.

Scottish leagues[edit]

On 16 July 2009, it was announced that ESPN had secured the broadcast rights to 30 liveScottish Premier League(SPL) games per season across the UK and Ireland, for five seasons, starting with the 2009–10 season. Sky Sports had also shown 30 live games per season during this period, including each of theOld Firmgames. The SPL retained the right to opt out of the final two seasons of the deal.[51]On 21 November 2011, ESPN's deal with the SPL was extended for five years from the 2012–13 season,[52]however on 3 August 2012 ESPN announced a new five-year agreement allowing it to air 30 SPL games per season and 10Rangersgames from theScottish Football League(SFL), including three home fixtures.[53]Ray Stubbs hosts, withDerek RaeandCraig Burleycommentating.Darrell Currieis touchline reporter and regular studio guests includeColin Hendry,Mark Hateley,Terry ButcherandScott Booth.

The first SPL fixture broadcast on the channel wasDundee United's 2–0 victory overHeartson 17 August 2009.[54]BT Sport renegotiated the contract alongside Sky Sports to cover the newly formedScottish Professional Football Leagueon the BT Sport network.

UEFA Europa League[edit]

On 1 September 2009, ESPN secured a three-year TV rights deal to broadcast matches from theUEFA Europa League,previously held by Setanta Sports. At a minimum, ESPN will broadcast one match from each kick-off slot.[55][56]On 17 October 2011, ESPN were also awarded part of the rights to the 2012–13 to 2014–15 seasons.[57]

ESPN shared the rights to the Europa League withChannel 5andITV.As part of the deal, ESPN serve as host broadcaster for any live home matches featuring British clubs that it is transmitting and have the rights to air matches over the internet and via mobile wireless technologies.

During theinaugural seasonof the Europa League, ESPN broadcast live matches featuring British teamsCeltic,Everton,LiverpoolandFulham,as well as 45 other European clubs, including holdersShakhtar Donetsk.ESPN were only host broadcasters for two matches, Everton's 2–1 first-leg victory overSporting Lisbonon 16 February and Fulham's 4–1 second-leg victory overJuventuson 18 March. When theITV networkbecame the primary broadcasters after Channel 5 lost the rights to the Europa League, ESPN continued to cover the Europa League. After the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport, the coverage airs on BT Sport branded channels and from 2015–16 season BT will be exclusive broadcasters of the Europa League, with highlights on ITV.

UEFA Champions League[edit]

Following BT Sport's acquisition of exclusiveUEFA Champions Leaguerights, ESPN broadcast theUEFA Champions League Goals Show,a live panel show which simulcasts all the goals and other key incidents from the matches taking place in the competition. The programme is shown during the group stage of the competition and was broadcast on ESPN for2015–16,before moving to BT Sport 1 for2016–17.

Foreign club football[edit]

On 28 July 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured television rights to show up to two live games per week from theEredivisie,Portuguese Liga,up to two live games per week from theRussian Premier Leagueand the remainder of the2009Major League Soccerseason, including five play-off games and theMLS Cup 2009.[58]For the 2010–11 season ESPN renewed its contracts for the Eredivisie and Russian Premier League and broadcast at least two matches each week from the Major League Soccer season, including play-off games.[59]

ESPN signed a multi-year deal for up to five live games per week from the GermanBundesliga,a selection of which is in high definition, as well as weekly preview and highlight programmes. During the2010–11 season,ESPN also broadcast the quarter finals, semi-finals and final from theDFB-Pokal.[60]

On 5 August 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured the rights for up to three liveSerie Amatches per week for the2009–10season as well as theCoppa Italia.[61]ESPN also showed the2009 Supercoppa Italianawhich took place on 8 August 2009. For the2010–11season ESPN aires at least two games per week from Serie A, as well as a selection of Coppa Italia games.[59]ESPN also continued to broadcastESPN Kicks– recapping all of the weekend's goals, as well as weekly preview show,Total Italian Football.

In May 2012, ESPN acquired the rights to broadcast theCampeonato Brasileiro Série Afrom Brazil,[citation needed]followed by a deal in June to broadcastLigue 1from France.[62]In July, ESPN announced a renewed multi-season Bundesliga rights deal, lasting until the 2014–15 season, for up to four matches per week (all in high definition).[63]It will also screen action from theDFL-Supercup,as well as a highlights packages and video on-demand footage. In addition, agreements for the Eredivisie and Russian Premier League were also renewed.[64]Foreign club football airs on BT Sport and ESPN after the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport

International football[edit]

The first international football match shown on ESPN was the pre-season friendly match betweenRussiaandArgentinaon 12 August 2009, which saw Argentina win 3–2. The first youth international match was theEuropean Under-21 Championshipqualification match betweenEngland under-21sandFYR Macedonia under-21son 4 September 2009, which England won 2–1.

On 5 October 2009, ESPN secured a multi-year deal to show 150 classicFIFA World Cupmatches from1930to2006.The matches are shown on ESPN and ESPN Classic.[65]

As part of a four-year deal for FA Cup coverage, formally announced on 8 December 2009, ESPN will show all of the England Under-21s home fixtures.[50]These matches have since moved to BT Sport who now own ESPN.

On 24 May 2010, ESPN announced that it had acquired UK exclusive broadcast rights to live coverage from 41 international football fixtures, including "at least" 16qualifiersfor theUEFA Euro 2012tournament, from the Kentaro rights agency.[66]It is understood that the batch of games will feature a broad mix of European national sides, potentially including some home nations. ESPN will also broadcast 20 international friendlies and live coverage from theBrazilWorld Tour, in which the five-time World Cup winners take on national teams from around the world. The first of these fixtures to be shown was theWorld Cupwarm-up match betweenArgentinaandCanadaon 24 May 2010, which was won 5–0 by the home side, these matches moved to BT Sport after the acquisition. Sky Sports have exclusive coverage of all qualifiers within Europe from 2014–2018, apart fromEnglandmatches and one other qualifier per matchday, which air on ITV.

On 15 July 2010, ESPN secured broadcast rights to allFranceandGermany'sEuro 2012 qualifyingmatches.[60]ESPN broadcast selected home friendly matches featuring France and Germany.

During May 2011, ESPN secured the rights to the2011 Copa América.[67]

Pre-season football[edit]

ESPN showedReal Madrid's 2009 tour of North America, including live matches againstToronto FCon 7 August andDC Unitedon 9 August,BenficaversusAC Milanon 8 August andTottenham HotspurversusOlympiakoson 9 August.[58]

In January 2010, ESPN showedArgentineTorneos de Veranomatches, including the Triangular de Verano 2010 Mar del Plata contested betweenBoca Juniors,EstudiantesandSan Lorenzo,the Triangular de Verano 2010 Salta involvingRiver Plate,Racing ClubandIndependienteas well as the Copa Revancha Mendoza between Boca Juniors and River Plate on 24 January.[68]

Between 23–25 July 2010, ESPN aired all four games from the New York Football Challenge, which featuredTottenham Hotspur,Manchester City,New York Red BullsandSporting Lisbon.[69]Manchester City will then take onClub América,Borussia Dortmund,ValenciaandChampions LeaguewinnersInter Milanon a ten-day tour of America between 29 July and 7 August. ESPN also aired Tottenham's match againstBenficainLisbonon 1 August andNewcastle's friendly againstRangersinGlasgowon 7 August.

In 2011, ESPN broadcast all four games of 2011Emirates Cup,[67]as well as a number of other pre-season friendlies.

In 2012, ESPN will broadcast more than 20 club and international football friendlies over the summer, including theLIGA total! Cup.[70]

Charity football[edit]

On 25 January 2010, ESPN aired theMatch Against Poverty 2010,where a Benfica All-Stars XI took on a team of legends selected byZinedine ZidaneandRonaldo,in Lisbon to benefit theUnited Nations Development Programmeand SL Benfica Foundation.[71]

Mixed martial arts[edit]

On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured the rights toUltimate Fighting Championshipevents fromUFC 101onwards as well asThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights,UFC All Access,UFC Countdown,UFC Fight NightsandUFC Unleashed.[36][72]

Alongside ESPN,Channel 5airs a one-hour highlights show calledUFC: Main Eventand5USAaired the debut showing ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.However, ESPN showedThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finalelive and in full.[73]BT Sport now shows this after the acquisition,The Ultimate Fighternow airs onFX.

Rugby union[edit]

On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced that they would cover the FrenchTop 14live,[36]coverage lasted until the end of the2011–12 season.In addition, ESPN broadcast live international clashes featuringNew Zealand,SamoaandSouth Africa.[74]This now airs on Sky Sports.

On 14 December 2009, ESPN agreed a three-year deal for exclusive live rights to 43 matches per season from theEnglish Premiership,beginning with the 2010–11 season, including exclusive live coverage of the English Premiership Final and one of the two semi-final matches.[75]The agreement also provides highlight rights for use on ESPN digital media such as ESPNScrum. Sky Sports will continue to show 26 live games per season plus the other semi-final.[76]

On 15 April 2010, ESPN signedAustin Healeyas an expert contributor for its English Premiership presentation team,[77]followed byNick Mullinsas chief match commentator on 27 May andBen Kayas co-commentator on 9 June.[78][79]Mark Durden-Smithwill act as lead host, joined by reporter Sarra Elgan.[80]ESPN has also confirmed plans to start providing on-site coverage for many of its English Premiership games via a custom-built set, with production fromSunset + Vine.[47]BT Sport now show this after the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport however most of the ESPN team work for BT Sport.

On 9 June 2010, ESPN agreed a deal with Premiership Rugby for exclusive UK broadcast rights to theJ.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s SeriesSeries.[81]The new tournament, which took place over July and August 2010, involved all 12 Premiership Rugby clubs competing in Friday evening games. The broadcaster has also shown the 2011 and 2012 tournaments. BT Sport now shows this after the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport.

Tennis[edit]

In March 2012. the channel showed its first tennis coverage – theFed CupfromMadison Square Garden.[82]During the same month, ESPN secured the rights to a series ofATP World Tour 250events for 2012, as well as threeWTA International tournaments.[83]

US sports[edit]

ESPN also show some of the US sports available on ESPN America, includingMajor League Baseball,theNational Hockey League,and U.S. college sports.[13][84]For a period it also held the rights to theNFL'sMonday Night Football,which is produced by ESPN.[85]

In addition, the channel airs theESPN Films'30 for 30series. Broadcasting of U.S. college sports, and associated ESPN produced studio programming, ended in August 2023 following the rebranding of the service as TNT Sports.

Other sports[edit]

On 30 July 2009, ESPN announced that they will cover the up to three live matches a week plus highlights from theAustralian Football Leagueincluding the four-week finals series culminating with the Grand Final.[36]As part of the same announcement, it was revealed that ESPN will showDeutsche Tourenwagen Masterslive. BT Sport now show this after the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport.

ESPN screened their first live bo xing event on 19 September 2009, broadcastingFriday Night Fightsfrom America withGuillermo Rigondeauxtopping the bill. On 8 December 2010,Premier Sportsannounced an exclusive UK deal for 31 live Friday Night Fight events from January 2011 on an initial 2-year deal.[86]BT Sport now show this.

ESPN aired the2009National Rugby Leaguefirst Preliminary Final live on 25 September, the second Preliminary Final on 26 September and the Grand Final live on 4 October.[87]Premier Sport now airs this.

On 3 March 2010, ESPN agreed a deal for the UK broadcast rights to the first ever European WinterX Games.All competition finals from theWinter X Games Europeat the French ski resort ofTigneswas shown live and exclusive from 10–12 March.[88]

On 4 March 2010, ESPN agreed a deal for the UK broadcast rights to the2010 World Indoor Athletic Championshipsheld between 12–14 March at theASPIRE DomeinDoha.[89]

On 12 January 2011, ESPN andNorth One Sport,the promoter of theWorld Rally Championship(WRC), reached an agreement for the WRC to be televised exclusively on ESPN in the UK.[90]ESPN will screen 30-minute nightly bulletins at the end of every WRC day, with on-event coverage bookended by an hour-long preview and review show. Between events, ESPN is committing 30-hour-long shows with archive material from the sport, as well as two new documentary programmes. In addition to coverage on ESPN, WRC footage will also be aired on ESPN Classic. ITV4, Motors TV and BT Sport now show this.

On 6 July 2011, it was announced that the 2011World Mastersof darts would air live and exclusively on ESPN, with the event extended to three days three-days for the first time as part of the agreement with theBritish Darts Organisation.[91]This tournament now airs on British Eurosport but ESPN deal ended nine consecutive years of coverage on the BBC. In addition, ESPN agreed to share coverage of the2012and2013 BDO World Darts Championshipwith the BBC.[82][92]ESPN also broadcast thePDC2012 European Championshipin September.[93]ESPN was the first broadcaster in Britain to show both BDO and PDC tournaments at the same time. When BT Sport acquired ESPN they dropped darts but since 2015 they have shared coverage of the BDO World Darts Championships, with the BBC in 2015 and 2016, and withChannel 4in 2017 and 2018.

In November 2011 ESPN showed two golf tournaments from Australia.[82]

In October 2012, ESPN announced that it will start broadcasting games from theKontinental Hockey League,Europe's topice hockeycompetition.[94]

Previous[edit]

Basketball[edit]

NBA[edit]

On 30 September 2009, ESPN announced that they had secured a multi-year deal to show liveNational Basketball Associationgames.[95]The channel show up to three live matches a week during the NBA season in standard and high definition, including one game at Sunday primetime. It also carriesNBA All-Star Gamesand action from the seasonplayoffsandfinal.ESPN also broadcast studio showsNBA FastbreakandNBA Action.

Live pre-season coverage began on ESPN on 6 October 2009 when theUtah Jazztook on theChicago Bullsas part ofNBA Europe Live Tour.Coverage continued on 8 October 2009 for Utah Jazz against Euroleague Basketball'sReal Madrid Baloncesto.The NBA season officially started on 27 October 2009.

ESPN UK was unable to secure the rights to the 2012–13 NBA season until 5 December 2012 when a deal was made between NBA and ESPN to show 3 games a week, NBA All Star Game, First and Second Round NBA Play-off coverage, Western Conference Finals, and NBA Finals for this season (2012–13). Coverage began the following day.[96]The channel continues to show this after the acquisition of ESPN by BT Sport until 2017–18 season. From 2018–19 season, coverage moved toSky Sports.[97]

W NBA[edit]

Same as the men's league games,W NBAgames also moved toSky Sportsfrom 2018–19 season.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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