In 2001, ESPN further extended its reach and services to sports fans through continued growth of its domestic networks; international ESPN-branded initiatives; technology applications in the interactive, broadband, wireless and television production arenas; and new programming genres.

The flagship network ESPN remains the most widely distributed sports network, with nearly 85 million homes. ESPN2 passed the 81 million homes mark faster than any other cable network in history.

ESPN Classic reached 42 million homes, and a completely revamped ESPNEWS reached 26 million homes. ESPN continues to be ranked number one in cable industry surveys for driving subscriptions to cable television and in generating advertising revenue.

ESPN Radio, the nation's largest sports radio network, with more than 680 affiliates, added owned-and-operated stations in New
York, Los Angeles and Dallas. The network features Major League Baseball and the World Series, NBA regular season and finals, the WNBA finals and college football's Bowl Championship Series. ESPN.com, the award-winning and industry-leading sports Internet site, became the exclusive sports content provider to Microsoft's MSN sports section.

ESPN International continues to expand its ESPN branding strategy around the world. ESPN Classic Canada premiered in September, and plans were announced to launch ESPN Classic Sport in Europe. Local SportsCenter versions were launched in India, Asia, Taiwan and Canada, joining Brazil and Argentina.

Major rights acquisitions during the year included the renewal of NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and 20 other NCAA championships through 2013; an enhanced PGA Tour agreement; Formula One auto racing and the Indy Racing League; NBA-related programming; and the Pro Bowlers Association Tour.

The Emmy-award winning Sunday Night NFL was again the highest-rated series on basic cable, and Major League Baseball games were enhanced with the "K Zone," an on-screen, three-dimensional outline of the strike zone. The National Hockey League, college football, and basketball round out the major sports lineup.

ESPN acquired B.A.S.S., the largest fishing organization in the world with 600,000 members and an array of businesses. ESPN Outdoors was created to expand the category, which already features the Great Outdoor Games and B.A.S.S.

ESPN broadened its programming initiatives by establishing ESPN Original Entertainment. Among the new series that debuted last year were The Life, a look into athletes' lifestyles; and The Season, a series that follows athletes or teams behind the scenes.

ESPN Deportes, a separately produced feed with Spanish-speaking commentators and customized graphics, began airing Sunday nights with MLB and NFL games, as well as boxing events.

The X Games grew ever more popular, breaking attendance and ratings records.

In interactive television initiatives, ESPN continues to lead the way in sports with ESPN Today, the first 24-hour, single-screen, interactive sports channel, navigated by viewers' remote controls, and through interactive applications with its affiliates and advertisers.

ESPN Broadband debuted in August at the X Games, delivering on-demand highlights, news, statistics, and merchandise opportunities.

ESPN Video On Demand, an interactive television video store, was launched featuring SportsCentury programs, the Big Fights library, the X Games and a growing list of titles.

ESPN The Magazine will raise its advertising rate base to 1.5 million subscribers in January 2002. ESPN Zones, the sports-themed dining and entertainment venues, now total eight, with openings at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, Las Vegas and Denver.