NASN Rebrands as ESPN America

LONDON, October 2:
Following its acquisition by ESPN in 2007, the North American Sports Network
(NASN) is being relaunched as ESPN America on February 1, in time for the Super
Bowl.

As ESPN America, the
network will continue to deliver key North American sporting events to viewers
in Europe and the Middle East, including coverage of Major League Baseball, the
National Hockey League, the National Football League and NCAA American Football
and Basketball. ESPN America will air the Super Bowl in a number of countries
across Europe, including Germany, France, the Netherlands and Poland. The
channel currently reaches 14 million homes across 43 countries.

“The announcement of our
first ESPN-branded live television channel in Europe is a momentous day for the
company,” said Lynne Frank, the senior VP and managing director of ESPN in
Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “ESPN America’s programming lineup is
unparalleled in the region, and will serve fans of North American sports
throughout Europe and the Middle East. Our business continues to grow. ESPN
America will sit alongside ESPN Classic, and our digital properties,
ESPN360.com, ESPNSoccernet, Cricinfo, ESPNScrum.com and Racing-live.com.”

Mike McKibbin, ESPN’s
group marketing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, added, “ESPN
America’s new brand identity will combine the heroics and drama of American
sports. It celebrates the virtues required to excel at these sports, and
identifies the athletes’ status as heroes in the eyes of the fan. The channel
will consistently deliver unrivalled quality in broadcasting coverage,
strengthened by ESPN’s innovation, creativity and position as the worldwide
leader in sports. American sports are unique, and ESPN America is the
definitive place to watch them.”

—By Mansha Daswani