ESPN in talks to set up pan-European sports channel
LONDON – The Disney-owned sports cable network ESPN is in talks with several broadcasters in Europe about launching a European version of its 24-hour US channel.
Russell Woolf, managing director of ESPN International, told The Times newspaper: "We have had discussions and are in discussions with a variety of people."
The discussions, although in preliminary stages, are expected to result in some sort of involvement with European broadcasters because it is the only major region in which ESPN does not have a live channel.
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It is not clear where, when or with who this channel will be broadcast, but in June this year ESPN held talks with BSkyB about launching a UK version of its 24-hour sports channel ESPN Classic Sport.
Telewest and NTL were also said to be involved, but ESPN's talks developed further with Sky chiefs.
It is possible that these three UK broadcasters could be involved in the new European channel.
ESPN Classic Sport, which replays footage from past sporting events, is available in 20 countries in Europe, broadcasting to 14m homes.
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