ESPN Revamps X Games Aspen Format, Brings in Echo Entertainment to Lead Production

ESPN is revamping its X Games Aspen production this year, bringing in an outside production house and debuting a new lineup of on-air talent. Action sports production company Echo Entertainment will work with ESPN this year to provide 16 hours live coverage of X Games Aspen (January 26 – 29 on ESPN and ABC) with a renewed focus on both the action sports and lifestyle elements of X Games. Echo Entertainment will help deliver a new format featuring in-depth athlete profiles and features highlighting the action sports lifestyle in addition to the live event coverage.

x-gamesESPN’s fresh lineup of X Games on-air talent will be led by host and pro snowboarder Jack Mitrani and national television host Allison Hagendorf. Mitrani and Hagendorf will captain the X Games Aspen coverage from a new host set, which will be the central hub for interviews with the world’s top action sports athletes, musicians, filmers, photographers and personalities.

A professional snowboarder, entrepreneur, filmmaker, music festival producer and aspiring musician, Mitrani has previously hosted X Games Extra as well as an array of World of X Games and digital content for ESPN. Getting his start producing comedic skits with fellow snowboarders, musicians and celebrities, Mitrani has made a name for himself through producing and starring in original content for his channel, Frendly Presents, and he is also co-owner and producer of the successful Frendly Gathering music festival. A graduate of Stratton Mountain School, Mitrani competed in four X Games events before taking his talents to the telecast booth.

Mitrani is joined by X Games on-air newcomer, Allison Hagendorf, who is Head of Rock at Spotify, as well as a national television host, live announcer, and music journalist. The Official Host of Times Square New Year’s Eve, Hagendorf has hosted a multitude of on-air and live events, including CW’s The Next, the MTV Video Music Awards & Movie Awards, and Fuse’s “Top 20 Countdown” and music festival coverage.

The hosts will be complemented by a collection of action sports athletes and personalities providing analysis and play-by-play coverage: Snowboard Commentator Brandon Graham, Snowboard Analyst Craig McMorris, Ski Commentator Luke VanValin, Ski Analyst Tom Wallisch, Ski Analyst Jen Hudak, Snowmobile Commentator Cam Steele, Snowmobile Analyst Chris Burandt,Reporter Victoria Arlen.

The ESPN and ABC telecasts  will also be accessible via the ESPN app, as well as WatchESPN and WatchABC to viewers who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider. An additional eight hours of competition will be carried on ESPN3. Fans can find more content on X Games digital platforms, including XGames.com, the X Games app and X Games social media pages (@XGames).

Password must contain the following:

A lowercase letter

A capital (uppercase) letter

A number

Minimum 8 characters