Programming
- See also ESPN significant programming rights
In a cost-cutting move, the schedule (as of December, 2008) is largely composed of ESPN original programming, highlighting sports such as poker, bowling, and boxing, with less emphasis on re-airing classic major league sporting events (a practice which has however, been adopted by sports networks associated with a league or individual teams, among other channels). Since 2005, it has also frequently broadcast overflow programming from the main ESPN channels, and reruns of ESPN-produced telecasts of recent sporting events that the network has declared an "Instant Classic".
It is the only U.S.-based ESPN network (and one of two Disney-owned cable channels in the U.S.; ABC Family being the other) to air infomercials; they air from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. ET, seven days a week. As of May 20, 2012, it is the final ESPN network to both not have a companion simulcast channel in high definition, and outside of specific programming in widescreen, airs all programming with a 4:3 analog aspect ratio. It is also the only ESPN network not available on the network's WatchESPN app for mobile devices.
Older sports programming from the nineties and earlier have almost entirely moved to their respective networks. These networks include The Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL Network, The Tennis Channel, or various team-owned regional sports networks.
As of 2011, the channel has drifted toward reruns of entertainment series in prime time, while movies (mostly ESPN Films productions and documentaries such as the 30 for 30 series) make up the majority of ESPN Classic's weekend schedule. The majority of "classic" sports in ESPN Classic's library are college football and basketball games from the past decade.
Read more about this topic: ESPN Classic
Famous quotes containing the word programming:
“If there is a price to pay for the privilege of spending the early years of child rearing in the driver’s seat, it is our reluctance, our inability, to tolerate being demoted to the backseat. Spurred by our success in programming our children during the preschool years, we may find it difficult to forgo in later states the level of control that once afforded us so much satisfaction.”
—Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)