NASN To Be Rebranded ESPN America

The North
American Sports Network (NASN) will be re-branded ESPN America, starting Super
Bowl Sunday, 1 February, 2009. The network will continue to bring the
best of North American sports to fans across Europe and the Middle
East.
ESPN
America will continue NASN’s tradition of being the only network in Europe completely dedicated to North American sports. The
channel broadcasts over 800 live and as-live sports events each year from Major
League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League
(NFL) and NCAA American Football and Basketball. ESPN America will also
show the Super Bowl in a number of countries across Europe including Germany, France,
the Netherlands and
Poland.
Additionally, the network provides high-quality signature ESPN original studio
programmes, such as Pardon the Interruption, Around the Horn, The Sports
Reporters, Baseball Tonight, College GameDay, NASCAR Now and more.
Since
ESPN acquired NASN in 2007, the network has expanded to 14 million households
across 43 countries, with an additional three million subscribers in the Middle East.
“The
announcement of our first ESPN-branded live television channel in Europe is a
momentous day for the company,” said Lynne Frank, Senior Vice President
and Managing Director of ESPN in Europe, 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 Group Marketing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa said, “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.”