• ESPN Statistics, Facts and Figures for 2024

In my latest Disney stat post, I take a look at some ESPN statistics and facts. I hope you enjoy!

espn statistics fatcs what does espn stand for

For many of us sports fans 40 and under, ESPN has played a pretty significant role for most of our lives. We all raced home to watch SportsCenter for the evening’s sports news, later on we hopped onto ESPN.com to get more timely news and now we just open an app and get real time updates. No matter what the format, ESPN has been delivering us our breaking sports news ever since an entrepreneur in a small town in Connecticut took a chance on broadcasting sports on a new cable TV format in 1979.

ESPN, short for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American multinational sports media company and one of the most prominent and influential sports broadcasters in the world. Established on September 7, 1979, by Bill Rasmussen and his son Scott Rasmussen, along with Ed Egan, ESPN has since become a major player in the sports industry, covering a wide range of sporting events, news, analysis, and original programming.

ESPN’s television network is the flagship platform where sports enthusiasts can tune in to watch live games, tournaments, and sports-related shows. The network offers coverage of a diverse array of sports, including American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, and more. ESPN has secured broadcasting rights to major sporting events like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college basketball, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments, among others.

In addition to its television channel, ESPN has expanded its presence to various other media platforms. The company operates several digital and streaming services, including ESPN.com, ESPN App, and ESPN+, which offer live streaming of games, highlights, analysis, and original content for sports fans on the go.

ESPN also has a presence in print media with its popular magazine, ESPN The Magazine, covering sports news, features, and analysis.

Furthermore, ESPN Radio provides live sports commentary, talk shows, and analysis, reaching millions of listeners across the United States. The network’s flagship radio program, “Mike & Mike,” became particularly popular for its sports talk and insightful commentary.

Beyond its media coverage, ESPN has ventured into sports-related events and documentaries. The annual sports awards show, ESPN ESPY Awards, celebrates outstanding achievements in sports and has become a highly anticipated event in the sports world.

Moreover, ESPN Films produces a series of compelling sports documentaries under the brand “30 for 30,” which has received critical acclaim for its storytelling and insight into significant sports events and personalities.

As a global sports brand, ESPN has expanded its international reach, providing localized versions of its network in various countries, reaching millions of sports enthusiasts worldwide.

Throughout its history, ESPN has significantly impacted the sports industry, elevating the prominence of sports media coverage and transforming the way sports fans engage with their favorite games and athletes. The network’s innovative approach to sports broadcasting, its comprehensive coverage, and commitment to quality sports journalism have made it a trusted and beloved source of sports news and entertainment for audiences around the world.

I recently sat down to find out more about ESPN’s media empire. Here are the more interesting ESPN statistics and facts I was able to dig up. As always, I will be adding more and updating these periodically as I find new stuff. Be sure to check back regularly.

Please note that some of these numbers are easier to find than others. A few of these facts about ESPN come from their own reports, but some are based on news reports and not official company tallies. No information contained on DisneyNews.us should be relied upon to make investment decisions. Basically, this is the best I can find and I don’t guarantee anything to be 100%

ESPN Facts

ESPN website: espn.com
Year ESPN launched: 1979
Date or ESPN’s first broadcast: September 7, 1979
Percentage of ESPN that Disney owns: 80%
ESPN’s other owner: Hearst Corporation (20%)
ESPN Headquarters: Bristol, CT
ESPN Creators: Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen and Ed Egan
What does ESPN stand for?

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network

What is ESPN?

ESPN is the worldwide leader in sports. The leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company features the broadest portfolio of sports assets with over 50 business entities. (source)

ESPN Statistics

How man people watch ESPN?

140 million subscribers (domestic & international)

Last updated FY 2021

Number of ESPN+ subscribers:

17 million subscribers

Last updated 10/2/21

Monthly ESPN podcast listeners:

39.3 million monthly listeners

Last updated October 2018

Average monthly ESPN digital users:

161.6 million unique users

Last updated January 2021

Percentage of ESPN digital users that access it via mobile devices:

70%

Last updated 2/6/18

Average number of people in the US that ESPN reaches:

208 million

Last updated 12/14/17

How many countries does ESPN reach?

over 60

Last updated 10/1/16

Number of languages ESPN is available in:

Last updated 10/1/16

Number of business entities owned by ESPN:

over 50

Last updated 6/17/17

Percentage of ESPN revenue that comes from subscriber fees:

60%

Last updated 12/7/17

In 2016, ESPN produced more than 64,000 hours of live event/studio programming across platforms.

Number of ESPN2 subscribers:

76 million subscribers

Last updated FY 2021

Number of ESPNU subscribers:

51 million subscribers

Last updated FY 2021

Number of ESPNEWS subscribers:

59 million subscribers

Last updated FY 2021

Number of SEC Network subscribers:

55 million subscribers

Last updated FY 2021

Number of ACC Network subscribers:

42 million subscribers

Last updated FY 2021

Number of ESPN online content viewers:

117 million monthly users

Last updated 12/14/17

Number of times ESPN digital content was visited in 2016:

more than 10 billion

Amount of time visitors spent with ESPN digital content in 2016:

84.3 billion minutes

Average number of monthly visitors to ESPN apps:

20 million monthly unique visitors

Last updated October 2018

Amount of time visitors spend on ESPN mobile apps monthly:

2.4 billion minutes

Last updated October 2018

How many people use the ESPN Fantasy App?

9.8 million unique users

Last updated October 2018

Percentage of ESPN digital streaming that is from millennials:

46%

Last updated 12/7/17

Number of worldwide ESPN video views in 2017:

1.41 billion

ESPN’s share of the US sports mobile app usage market:

33%

Last updated 2/13/17

Number of FiveThirtyEight content viewers:

20.9 million monthly unique visitors

Last updated 12/22/16

Number of ESPN monthly mobile video views:

195 million views

Last updated 12/22/16

Amount of ESPN digital video clips watched in 2016:

4.9 billion

Amount of ESPN digital video clips watched on phones in 2016:

1.7 billion

Average number of monthly ESPN streaming content viewers:

8.3 million unique monthly viewers

Last updated 2/13/17

Amount of time viewers spent streaming ESPN content in 2016:

22.5 billion minutes

Average monthly amount of time visitors spend on ESPN digital content:

9.3 million minutes

Last updated 12/22/16

Estimated number of subscribers for international ESPN channels:

127 million

Last updated 10/3/15

Number of domestic channels ESPN operates:

8 (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, SEC Network, ESPN Classic, Longhorn Network and ESPN Deportes)

Last updated 10/1/16

Number of television networks outside the US that are owned by ESPN:

Last updated 10/1/16

How many people use WatchESPN?

9.6 million unique devices per month

Last updated 12/14/17

Average amount of time spent on WatchESPN per month:

2.1 billion minutes per month

Last updated 12/14/17

Average number of monthly users of ESPN apps:

30.6 million unique visitors

Last updated 12/22/16

Amount of time users spend on ESPN apps monthly:

4.7 million minutes per month

Last updated 12/22/16

Amount of time viewers spent watching ESPN content across all platforms in November 2016:

2.5 billion minutes

Most streamed ESPN NBA Christmas game ever:

Cavaliers/Warriors 2016

14.8 million total minutes, 359,000 unique viewers, average minute audience of 87,000

Last updated 12/26/16

Number of terrestrial radio stations that carry ESPN Radio programming:

more than 500

ESPN’s ownership share of CTV Specialty Television Inc:

30% (Parent company of: The Sports Networks (TSN) 1-5, Le Réseau des Sports (RDS), RDS2, RDS Info, ESPN Classic Canada, Discovery Canada and Animal Planet Canada)

Last updated 10/1/16

Number of ESPN employees:

8,000 worldwide

Last updated 6/17/17

Number of ESPN employees that work in Bristol, Conn:

4,000

Last updated 6/17/17

Size of ESPN’s Bristol, Conn headquarters:

1.2 million sq ft in 18 buildings on 123 acres

Last updated 6/17/17

When did SportsCenter debut:

September 7, 1979