ESPN VP explains network’s plans for content amid COVID-19 outbreak
By Adam Spencer
Published:
As the country (and the world) deals with a COVID-19 outbreak, sports networks are scrambling to fill the hours with programming.
For ESPN, the outbreak that has canceled nearly every live sport has been particularly difficult to navigate.
ESPN vice president of programming acquisitions and scheduling Burke Magness recently spoke about ESPN’s plans, saying there are 2 goals the network has:
We have two simultaneous goals. One is the immediate future in terms of how we can be as relevant as possible through news and live studio programming in order to frame for sports fans the impact that these unprecedented circumstances are having on the sports world. Since this week coincidentally is the beginning of the NFL league calendar and free agency, we’ve built our schedules with an eye toward that being a major topic of conversation.
The second goal is aimed at looking ahead to entertain fans through fun, compelling archival content and/or themed and stunt event programming that will provide a diversion at a time that there are virtually no other live sports to watch.
The NFL offseason is the only thing taking place as scheduled, so there should be news continuing to come from the league.
However, other than that, ESPN is going to have to get creative with programming for the next few weeks.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
