ESPN to bow net in Europe
Classic station to kick off in France
It will initially go out to 2.5 million cable and satellite homes in France. Web, owned 70% by ESPN, 30% by private equity firm Sports Capital Partners, will screen classic moments in sports. More costly live events will come later, said ESPN execs.
ESPN runs 20 channels outside the U.S., but apart from syndicated content, the new web will rep its first foray into Europe.
Disney recently bought into European pay TV for kids with its acquisition of the Fox Family Network, which includes Fox Kids Europe, available to 27 million homes.
