`The ESPYS' to Move to ABC

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Broadcast network ABC will air ESPN's July 15 ESPYS telecast, the network announced Monday. 

The event, which had previously aired on ESPN, honors the best athletes and performances in sports. ESPN will kick off the night with SportsCenter at The ESPYS and The ESPYS Countdown Show Presented by Capital One airing from 6-7 p.m. ET and 7-8 p.m. ET, respectively, on ESPN prior to the start of the awards.

The ESPYS are executive produced by Maura Mandt and MaggieVision Productions.   

“Our goal with The ESPYS each year is to celebrate the year in sports while showcasing inspiring human stories through our three pillar awards - the Jimmy V Perseverance Award, the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the Pat Tillman Award for Service,” said Connor Schell, vice president, ESPN Films and Original Entertainment, who oversees The ESPYS. “We are thrilled to broadcast this year’s ESPYS on ABC.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.