ESPN Deploys Largest Olympics Effort Ever in Rio, Including Five On-Site Sets
ESPN will present extensive coverage of Rio 2016 across the world delivering over 2,800 hours of content in Latin America and the Caribbean, where ESPN holds rights, and extensive news and information in the U.S. and around the world, on television and digital platforms. Rio 2016 is ESPN’s largest Olympic effort with more than 850 employees working in Rio from ESPN offices and studios around the world. Coverage will originate from five sets based in Rio and will be anchored by a team of expert journalists from Latin America and the U.S. — with decades of collective experience covering the Games.
In addition, ESPN will supplement regular on-air teams with a distinguished group of 46 Olympians serving as special correspondents. This diverse group hails from all over the world — Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Great Britain, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. — and have won a combined 37 Olympic medals in 16 different disciplines (including eight gold, 12 silver and 17 bronze).
Latin America and the Caribbean
ESPN will transmit the Games to more than 60 million homes in Latin America and the Caribbean, in English, Portuguese and Spanish. This is ESPN’s sixth Olympic production and the first time ever to carry the event across the entire region.
Coverage from Rio began yesterday with the live telecast of select events. It continues tomorrow with the Opening Ceremony airing live across the region at 7 pm ET.
Television coverage includes at least two dedicated networks in each region with 15+ hours of daily content per network, with simulcasts on ESPN Play and WatchESPN (Brazil). Live event coverage will be complemented by studio programming produced on location in Rio.
In Brazil, ESPN networks will cover all major events, including Olympic soccer and competitions featuring the Brazilian teams and athletes. All coverage will be simulcast on WatchESPN.
In Spanish-speaking Latin America, ESPN and ESPN2 will present more than 15 hours of continuous daily coverage per network. ESPN will focus on the most popular Olympic events and athletes while ESPN2 will cover events with the most local relevancy. ESPN3 (Mexico and Central America only) will televise additional events of interest.
In the Caribbean, ESPN Caribbean will present more than 200 hours of coverage tailored and localized to Caribbean storylines and competitions.
On Digital, ESPN Play, ESPN’s broadband network in Spanish-speaking Latin America and the Caribbean, will simulcast all linear television programming. ESPN Play will also stream a variety of live events from start to finish with over 500 hours of coverage. WatchESPN, Brazil’s broadband platform, will also simulcast the networks’ coverage.
ESPN.com and ESPNCaribbean.com will add to the coverage with daily news reports, results, updates and extensive video, while ESPN’s social media channels will feature special content with dedicated reporters onsite.
Global News and the Game Around the Games: SportsCenter and Digital
ESPN will present extensive, multimedia news and information content across non-rights holder markets around the world led by SportsCenter and ESPN’s digital platforms while leveraging ESPN International’s resources and ABC News’ game around the game production.
For the first time in the program’s history, SportsCenter will originate five full live programs from the site of an Olympic Games. SportsCenter Face to Face with anchor Hannah Storm will air Aug. 8-12 at 10 a.m. ET from a set located across the street from Barra Olympic Park, the heart of the Rio 2016 Games. The one-hour program will feature interviews with athletes and other newsmakers.
In addition to the live shows, SportsCenter will have daily onsite reporting from Rio with anchor Michael Eaves and reporters Mark Schwarz and T.J. Quinn. Reporters and analysts from ESPN.com, espnW.com and ESPN International platforms also will contribute.
SportsCenter in Australia and New Zealand will also feature daily coverage throughout the event.
On the digital side, ESPN’s digital team from around the world will join to deliver the most complete daily coverage that blends local relevance and global perspective across the many localized editions of ESPN.com. Reporters on the ground in Rio will include reporters and contributors from the U.S., U.K. Australia, New Zealand, India, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and more
ESPN.com will feature coverage from a host of reporters and writers including Marc Stein (men’s basketball), Bob Harig (golf), Graham Hays (women’s soccer), Julie Foudy, Jim Caple, Wayne Drehs, Bonnie Ford, Johnette Howard, Missy Isaacson, Kurt Streeter and many others will contribute.
Gonzalo Aguirregomezcorta and Carlos Nava will be reporting from Rio for One Nacion andESPNDeportes.com. ESPN Deportes’ coverage during the games will live on a dedicated website that will feature stories, blog entries, analysis, infographics, videos, podcasts, photos, medal counters and more.
ESPN.co.uk will feature Comprehensive coverage focused on the British Olympic team, driven by Leo Spall and Tom Hamilton on site in Rio.
In Australia, ESPN.com.au will provide omprehensive news and analysis including contributions of multiple renowned Aussie athletes who will serve as columnists and contributors before, during and after their participation in the Games.
In India, ESPN.in’s coverage includes a mix of features and videos of the country’s standout athletes.
Over on espnW.com, Mina Kimes and Alyssa Roenigk will focus on stories, news and athletes. Foudy and Hays will also contribute for the site throughout the event.
In addition, Jesse Washington will provide coverage from Rio on The Undefeated, while Allison McCann will provide analytics-driven coverage from Rio for FiveThirtyEight.
In addition, ESPN will produce original content for the ESPN section on QQ.com in China, as part of its collaboration with Tencent. Content will include decorated swimmer Ning ZeTao, women’s soccer, track, table tennis and more.