ESPN UK - Developed in less than two months

"starts2 is not going to help much !

ESPN America has become part of the News and Events television pack on Sky.

The pack, one of six entertainment packs offered by the satellite pay TV broadcaster, also includes ESPN Classic, British Eurosport, British Eurosport 2, At The Races, Motors TV, Extreme Sports, Sky Sports News, Real Madrid TV, Star News, Fox News and CNBC.

It is available to Sky customers who do not already take it for an additional £1 per month.

The availability contrasts with ESPN America's presence as a premium standalone channel priced at £10 per month on Virgin Media's digital cable service.

(Source: Digitalspy)

ESPN are 'expected to table a bid for Setanta's FA Cup coverage'

Daily Mail

Hong does it take to get OFCOM approval for any new channel?

Is it simply filling in a form and getting it stamped or do OFCOM have checks and things to do?

I doubt it takes that long, but they could probably get around it if they just rebrand an existing channel. I guess though ESPN would need a licence for DTT.

Joint ESPN SKY deal to be announced shortly for SPL coverage 'with the majority' to be covered by ESPN.

The Herald

Good to know ESPN UK will be part of the existing Sports Package, which I think may have been Setanta ultimate down fall?

All these 'deals' with Sky... I hope they're prepared for the next rights auction when EPSN will be screwing them over!

'AGB Nielsen Media Research' update:

'ESPN' begins BARB reporting on Tuesday 4th August

http://www.agbnielsen.co.uk/agb/files/ClientServices/New%20BARB%20Channels/Implementation%20-%20ESPN.doc

So Tuesday 4th August could be the launch date...

Indeed that is correct, the BBC have confirmed this...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8138992.stm

According to The Guardian, ESPN America is to close and be replaced by ESPN. The new ESPN will show the premiership games and some American sport.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/07/espn-premier-league-football-channel-setanta-bskyb

Makes sense really, the matches alone aren't enough for a whole channel.

Although understandable in terms of time, it's interesting to see that Sky will be providing production for the ESPN match coverage itself.