ESPN Retains Rights for Annual Hot-Dog-Eating Contest

BURBANK: ESPN is set to hold the exclusive broadcast rights for the Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest through 2024 after extending its partnership with Major League Eating.

The annual food competition will be broadcast live this Friday at noon on ESPNews and WatchESPN. The one-hour telecast from New York’s Coney Island marks the 11th consecutive year ESPN has covered the event. This year, the Women’s Championship will air live on ESPN3 at 11:15 a.m.

More than 25 eating athletes from around the world will compete in the respective men’s and women’s challenges, which see how many hot dogs participants can devour in ten minutes.

“The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has become a holiday viewing tradition for millions of Americans,” said Jason Bernstein, the senior director of programming and acquisitions at ESPN. “We’re thrilled to have the annual contest as a part of ESPN’s championship summer season—along with FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon this year—and to continue working with Major League Eating in the future to satisfy our fans’ appetites.”