Disney-owned sports broadcaster ESPN is reportedly facing higher costs of TV rights, amid falling ad-revenues. Currently ESPN’s portfolio of channels generates some US$4.1bn in operating income to Disney’s coffers.


Last year ESPN paid about US$2.2bn for assorted rights ranging from NASCAR coverage to (US) National Football League (NFL) games. The Wall Street Journal says ESPN is paying extra to hold onto its traditional coverage rights.

For example, ESPN has had to cough up almost double last year for this season’s NFL coverage, and generally TV rights are costing broadcasters about 20% more – with most experts predicting that the credit crunch is having no affect on the prices charged.

© Rapid TV News 2009