ESPN Classic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the Canadian channel of this name, see ESPN Classic (Canada). For the British channel, see ESPN Classic (UK).
| ESPN Classic | |
 |
|
| Type | cable television network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Availability | National, through regional affiliates |
| Owner | ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company) |
| Launch date | October 1997 |
| Website | espnclassic.com |
ESPN Classic features reruns of famous sporting events, sports documentaries, and sports themed movies. Such programs includes biographies of famous sports figures or a rerun of a famous World Series or Super Bowl, often with added commentary on the event. Launched in 1995 as Classic Sports Network by Brian Bedol and Steve Greenberg, it was purchased and renamed by ESPN (80% owned by Disney, 20% owned by Hearst) in 1997. The current logo incorporates the "boxer" logo that Classic Sports Network used.
In a cost-cutting move, the schedule (as of February 20, 2007) is largely composed of ESPN original programming, highlighting sports such as poker, bowling, and bass fishing, with less emphasis on re-airing 'mainstream' classics such as National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, and National Collegiate Athletic Association games.
Many of the pro sports games once aired on ESPN Classic are available on NBA TV, NFL Network, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, New England Sports Network, SportsNet New York, YES Network, and Versus, depending on the team and sport. However, most of the broadcasts on regional sports networks are subject to blackout away from the home team's territory.
Contents |
[edit] Shows
[edit] Currently airing
- American Gladiators (scheduled to premiere March 31, 2007)
- 60 Minutes on Classic (2004-present)
- ESPN Classic Remembers (2006-present)
- Instant Classic
- Missing Link (2007-present)
- NCAA on Campus formerly on Fox Sports Net
- NFL Films
- Reel Classics
- Ringside (2005-present)
- SportsCentury (1999-present)
- Stump the Schwab (2004-present)
- The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame... (2005-present)
- Who's No. 1? (2004-present)
[edit] Formerly airing
- Arli$$ From HBO, although censored for ESPN Classic
- Cheap Seats (2004-2006)
- Classic Now (2005-2006)
- 2 Minute Drill (2006)
[edit] Broadcasting of live events
The first live event to be shown on ESPN Classic was the implosion of the Seattle Kingdome in March 2000. More live sporting events have started appearing on the network as of 2005, including early-round grand slam tennis action and college football games due to either ESPN or ESPN2 scheduling conflicts. During ESPN's 25th anniversary, the network debuted ESPN Classic Live, which aired live college basketball games with old-time announcers and retro-graphics. However since late 2005 or early 2006, ESPN Classic has used the corporate ESPN look when broadcasting live events.
In September 2006, ESPN Classic began broadcasting same-day taped coverage of UEFA Champions League soccer matches. These games air at 5 p.m. Eastern time, shortly after a live game airs on ESPN2 at 2:45 p.m.
In September 2007, ESPN Classic will air the inaugural Champ Car World Series race at the Assen race course in the Netherlands.[1]
[edit] Fan interactive specials
A recent development of ESPN Classic is a series of specials in which fan balloting determines the greatest teams in the history of particular sports. In March 2006, the 1981-82 North Carolina Tar Heels won the fan poll for best-ever college basketball team, in October 2006, the 1927 New York Yankees won for best Major League Baseball team, and in December 2006, the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers won the fan poll for best-ever college football team.[2]
Each of these programs features expert analysis and live interactive voting online at ESPN.com. The first votes are cast one week before the scheduled live show, and balloting continues online and via text messaging until the end of the show.
[edit] Cessation of original programming
On January 14, 2007, Deadspin.com reported that ESPN Classic would no longer create or air original programming. It was not immediately clear what would replace that programming,[3] however, it was assumed that such shows already produced, but not yet aired, would be broadcast at least for a few more months.
Since the report came to light, a new show, Missing Link, has debuted. In addition, there have been several new episodes of Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame and Ringside as of March 2007.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.champcarworldseries.com/Event/Events.asp?ID=609
- ^ http://www.latimes.com/sports/custom/extras/la-spw-tvcol8dec08,0,5069626.story?coll=la-sports-extras
- ^ http://deadspin.com/sports/espn/espn-continues-to-axe-things-you-probably-dont-watch-228617.php
[edit] External links
Broadcast sports divisions: ESPN on ABC • CBS Sports • Fox Sports • NBC Sports
National cable/satellite networks: ESPN • ESPN2 • ESPN Classic • ESPNEWS • Fox Sports Net • Versus
Specialty networks: Big Ten Network (launches Aug. 2007) • CSTV • ESPNU • Fox College Sports • Fox Soccer Channel • Fuel TV • GOL TV • Horse Racing TV • Men's Outdoor and Recreation • MountainWest Sports Network • NBA TV • NFL Network • Setanta Sports • SPEED Channel • The Golf Channel • The Outdoor Channel • The Tennis Channel • TVG
Occasional broadcasts: HBO • Showtime • Spike TV • Superstation WGN • TBS • TNT • USA Network • Sci Fi Channel • The CW • ION Television • MyNetworkTV
Regional sports networks: Fox Sports Net • 4SD • Altitude • Comcast SportsNet • CSS • CST • MASN • MSG • NESN • SportSouth • SNY • STO • Sun Sports • YES
Syndicators: ESPN Plus • LF Sports • Raycom Sports
Spanish language: ESPN Deportes • Fox Sports en Español
Broadband services: ESPN360 • WCSN
Defunct networks: C-SET • CNNSI • Empire • Mizlou • OnTV • SCORE • SportsChannel America • SportsChannel Los Angeles • Sports Time • TVS • Victory Sports
