1. ESPN was founded in 1978 and broadcasts from its studios in Bristol, Connecticut. 2. It was created by two sports enthusiasts who wanted to broadcast local sporting events and saw an opportunity to broadcast nationwide via satellite. 3. ESPN is now owned by Disney and is the largest sports network in the world, broadcasting to many countries with 5000 employees and a wide range of sports programming.

1. COMPANY REPORT Sports Network ESPN, USA
Inside
• One of the first USA TV channels to transmit via
satellite
• Has a direct presence or partnerships in many
countries
ESPN
• Transmits in HD and 3D as well as on the radio
and via the Internet
• Largest offering of sports programming
■ An enormous dish that is no
longer in use marks the entrance
to ESPN’s studio complex.
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2. COMPANY REPORT Sports Network ESPN, USA
■ESPN’s satellite dishes in
Bristol, Connecticut
[photo: Scott Greczkowski]
ë Bristol
CT, USA
The Largest In the world of sports there is one
TV channel that is known around the
world: ESPN. The ESPN abbreviation
Programming Network”. But since 1984
it has only been known as ESPN.
Up to and including live transmis-
ter the terrorist attacks in 2001, ESPN
greatly increased their security and as
a result no longer allow any visitors to
Sports Network in the World came into existence with the found-
ing of the TV channel back in 1978 and
stands for “Entertainment and Sports
sions, ESPN produces all of its pro-
gramming from their studios in Bristol,
Connecticut in northeastern USA. Af-
their studios. But there are exceptions
such as for relatives of ESPN employ-
ees. We were able to take part in one of
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3. 1
these internal studio tours. time numerous channels to be carried younger, Scott Greczkowski, founder of
Two factors came together when and just like with cable operators els- the “SatelliteGuys.com” forum, was a
ESPN came into being. The first was the where, ‘United Cable’ also offered pub- studio technician for the ‘United Cable’s
newly founded cable networks, such as lic access channels. These are chan- public access channel.
the one started by cable operator ‘Unit- nels that are made available to citizens The second factor that spurned ESPN
ed Cable’ in Connecticut. The new tech- and enthusiasts to transmit there own were two sports enthusiasts, Ed Eagan
nology back then allowed for the first programs for free. BTW: When he was and Bill Rasmussen. They used the op-
1. Scott Greczkowski
2 from SatelliteGuys.com
in the ESPN News sports
anchor’s spot. In his youth
Scott witnessed the early
beginnings of ESPN
2. Bristol is proud to be the
home of ESPN
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4. 1
2
1. ESPN broadcasts not only TV but also radio.
Six radio studios can be found in the Bristol
studio complex.
2. “SportsCenter” is one of their popular
programs. From there ESPN handles live
interviews and also switches over to live events
in stadiums.
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5. ■A look at one of
ESPN’s studios
portunity to broadcast sporting events
in Connecticut over the ‘United Cable’s
public access channel.
They were so in to the whole idea
that they consistently needed more air
time. And right at the same time the
first satellites began to appear in the
sky. This gave both of them the idea to
broadcast to all of America via satellite
instead of just to cable subscribers in
Connecticut.
It all came to fruition in 1979: with
the help of investors they founded
ESPN and leased a satellite transpon-
der. And, of course, at the same time
a studio had to be set up. They chose
Bristol, Connecticut. There they found
the ideal location in a valley where they
could erect the uplink antenna and a
studio complex.
Today there are nine TV studios there,
two combo studios for radio and TV
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6. ■Technicians are highly
focused in the Master
Control Room
as well as six radio studios. The com-
pany, which was acquired by Disney in
1996, today has 5000 employees and
broadcasts not only to the USA but to
many countries around the world either
via direct partnerships (ESPN Interna-
tional) or through affiliated stations.
Since 2003 ESPN has been available in
HD with 3D broadcasts available since
2010, albeit just live transmissions.
For sports fans, ESPN offers a large
assortment of programming and the
website espn.go.com provides access
to an enormous sports archive. ESPN
has had the world of sports firmly in its
grasp for more than 30 years.
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7. ■All of the studio cables come
together in the Network Center.
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