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''ESPN Megacast'', formerly known as ''ESPN Full Circle'', is a multi-network simulcast of a single sporting event across multiple
ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...
networks and serviceswith each feed providing a different version of the telecast making use of different features, functions or perspectives. These simulcasts typically involve ESPN's
linear television Broadcast programming is the practice of organizing or ordering (scheduling) of broadcast media shows, typically radio and television, in a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or season-long schedule. Modern broadcasters use broadcast automatio ...
channels and internet streaming platforms, and may occasionally incorporate other
Walt Disney Television The first and original incarnation of Walt Disney Television was an American production company and the original/former television production division of the Walt Disney Company, which was active from April 18, 1983 to 2003. Productions from ...
networks at once. ''ESPN Full Circle'' debuted with ''ESPN Full Circle: North Carolina at Duke'' on March 4, 2006, on the one-year anniversary of ESPNU. The game was the
North Carolina Tar Heels The North Carolina Tar Heels (also Carolina Tar Heels) are the college sports in the United States, intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to ...
at the
Duke Blue Devils The Duke Blue Devils are the college athletics in the United States, intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina. Duke's athletics department features 27 varsity teams that all compete at the N ...
in
college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...
. Five further Full Circle broadcasts were produced (one NBA playoff game, one NASCAR race and three more college basketball games) before the format was discontinued in 2007. After a seven-year hiatus, full-circle broadcasts resumed under the ''Megacast'' branding in 2014. To date, the feature has primarily been used for the
College Football Playoff The College Football Playoff (CFP) is an annual single-elimination tournament, knockout invitational tournament to determine a national champion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, D ...
and
National Championship A national championship(s) is the top achievement for any sport or competition, contest within a league of a particular nation or nation state. The title is usually awarded by contests, ranking systems, stature, ability, etc. This determines the be ...
. ESPN has occasionally provided smaller-scale slates of alternate feeds during other broadcasts, although these have not always used the "Megacast" branding.


College Basketball Megacasts


North Carolina at Duke

The first ''Full Circle'' telecast covered the
college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...
game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils, to honor the one-year anniversary of the launch of ESPN's college sports network
ESPNU ESPNU is an American multinational digital cable and satellite sports television channel owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remain ...
. ESPN aired the game's traditional coverage (along with live "look-ins" to the other views, simulcast in 120 countries through ESPN International), ESPN2 featured an "Above the Rim" camera, and ESPNU featured a split-screen with the " Cameron Crazy Cam". ESPN360 offered additional stats, hosted by
ESPN Radio ESPN Radio, which is alternatively branded platform-agnostically as ESPN Audio, is an American sports radio network and extension of the ESPN television network. It was launched on January 1, 1992, under the banner "SportsRadio ESPN". The netw ...
's
Jeff Rickard Jeff Rickard is currently the Program Director and an unpopular Morning Show Host at Emmis Communications’ all-sports radio station, WFNI, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Career Rickard started with Emmis as a part-time host and programming adv ...
, Mobile ESPN featured game alerts, live updates and in-game polling for a replay of a classic Duke-North Carolina game, and ESPN.com featured live chats, in-game polling and highlights. The ESPN and ESPN2 broadcasts were also available in HD. The game was seen by an average of 3.78 million households on ESPN and ESPN2 making it the most-viewed men's college basketball game ever combining the networks. There were also two million page views on ESPN.com and one million video streams across ESPN.com and ESPN 360. ESPN's single network coverage garnered a 3.5 rating, the network's highest-rated men's college basketball game in more than four years (Maryland at Duke posted a 3.5 in January 2002). ESPN2's "Above the Rim" coverage generated a 0.7 rating, 40% higher than the network's per-game season average.
Brad Nessler Bradley Ray Nessler (born June 3, 1956) is an American sportscaster, who currently calls college football and college basketball games for CBS Sports. Career Early assignments Nessler began his professional broadcasting career sharing play– ...
called the game along with
Dick Vitale Richard "Dick" John Vitale (; born June 9, 1939), also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well known for his 41-year tenure as a college basketball broadc ...
and
Erin Andrews Erin Jill Andrews (born May 4, 1978) is an American sportscaster and television personality. She rose to prominence as a correspondent on the American cable sports channel ESPN after joining the network in 2004. She later joined Fox Sports in 2 ...
. This game is significant since it was the last time to date that Nessler called a Saturday Primetime game.


NCAA Women's Basketball Championship

The sixth installment of ''ESPN Full Circle'' was on April 3, 2007, in
Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–United States border, Canada–U.S. maritime border ...
. The official name of the telecast was ''ESPN Full Circle: NCAA Women's Championship'' and the game was between No. 1 Tennessee Lady Volunteers and No. 4
Rutgers Scarlet Knights The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are the athletic teams that represent Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus. In sports, Rutgers is famously known for being the "Birthplace of College Football", hosting the first ever intercollegiate football ...
. It was the first women's event presented as an ''ESPN Full Circle'' telecast.
Mike Patrick Michael Patrick (September 9, 1944 – April 20, 2025) was an American sportscaster, known for his long tenure with ESPN. Early career Patrick began his broadcasting career in the fall of 1966 at WVSC-Radio (now WGGI (AM), WGGI) in Somerset, P ...
called the game along with
Doris Burke Doris Burke ( Sable) is an American sports announcer and analyst for ''NBA on ESPN'', ''NBA on ABC'', '' College Basketball on ESPN'', and '' College Basketball on ABC'' games. She formerly worked as an analyst for WNBA games on MSG and has wo ...
and reporters
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
and Mark Jones. Tennessee defeated Rutgers, 59–46, winning its seventh national title.


Coverage

* ESPN (ESPNHD) featured the traditional coverage of a regular college basketball game. It also had "look-ins" to how other entities are covering the game. * ESPN2 (ESPN2HD) had six coverage boxes; two with isolated shots of players (mainly Matee Ajavon of Rutgers and
Candace Parker Candace Nicole Parker (born April 19, 1986), nicknamed "Ace", is an American former professional basketball player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, she was selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA dr ...
of Tennessee, isolated shots of the opposing coaches ( C. Vivian Stringer of Rutgers and
Pat Summitt Patricia Susan Summitt (; June 14, 1952 – June 28, 2016) was an American women's college basketball head coach and college basketball player. As a coach, she acquired 1,098 career wins, the most in college basketball history at the time ...
of Tennessee), another alternating statistics and replays in the lower center, and a
simulcast Simulcast (a portmanteau of "simultaneous broadcast") is the broadcasting of programs or events across more than one resolution, bitrate or medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at exactly the same time (that is, simultaneously) ...
of the traditional game coverage on ESPN. This feed had separate commentators,
Doug Gottlieb Douglas Mitchell Gottlieb (born January 15, 1976) is an American basketball analyst, sports talk radio host and college basketball coach who is the head men's basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Gottlieb played NCAA c ...
and
Carolyn Peck Carolyn Arlene Peck (born January 22, 1966) is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the firs ...
. Gottlieb and Peck were also joined by guests for
interview An interview is a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers.Merriam Webster DictionaryInterview Dictionary definition, Retrieved February 16, 2016 In common parlance, the word "interview" re ...
s throughout the game; he also jokingly called the setup "
The Matrix ''The Matrix'' is a 1999 science fiction film, science fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowskis. It is the first installment in the The Matrix (franchise), ''Matrix'' film series, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Ca ...
". Enhanced graphics were available for those viewing the game in high definition with full-time integrated stats pillars on each side of the screen. * ESPNU presented the Above the Rim camera angles as well as a simulcast and statistics. This feed also had commentary from Mike Hall and Charlene Curtis. * ESPN360 offered enhanced statistics. * ESPN.com provided in-game fan polls and live chats with, among others,
Nancy Lieberman Nancy Ilizabeth Lieberman (born July 1, 1958), nicknamed "Lady Magic", is an American former professional basketball player and coach in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) who is currently a broadcaster for the Oklahoma City Thun ...
.


Coach K’s Last Home Game

For
Mike Krzyzewski Michael William Krzyzewski ( , ; born February 13, 1947), nicknamed "Coach K", is an American former college basketball coach. He served as the head coach at Duke University from 1980–81 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team, 1980 to 2021 ...
’s last
home game In sports, home is the place and venue identified with a sports team. Most professional teams are named for, and marketed to, particular metropolitan areas; amateur teams may be drawn from a particular region, or from institutions such as sc ...
as Duke head coach, ESPN broke out the MegaCast for Duke’s final home game of the 2021-22 regular season against
North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...
. *ESPN aired the main telecast, as part of both their Saturday Primetime and
Sonic Sonic or Sonics may refer to: Companies *Sonic Drive-In, an American drive-in, fast-food restaurant chain * Sonic (ISP), an Internet provider CLEC, serving more than 100 California communities * Sonic Foundry, a computer software company whic ...
Blockbuster series, with
Dan Shulman Daniel Shulman (born February 9, 1967) is a Canadian sportscaster with Sportsnet as well as the American network ESPN. Shulman serves as the play-by-play announcer and the moderator for the Toronto Blue Jays telecasts on Sportsnet. Durin ...
, Duke alum Jay Bilas, and
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
calling the action. In addition, a special two-hour edition of College GameDay, led by
Rece Davis William Laurece Davis (born ) is an American sports television journalist for ESPN/ESPN on ABC, ABC. Davis works as an anchor on ''SportsCenter'' and serves as host of various other programs on the network, including ''College GameDay (football ...
, Bilas,
Seth Greenberg Seth Vincent Greenberg (born April 18, 1956) is an American college basketball broadcaster who works as an analyst for ESPN. Prior to taking the position at ESPN he was a coach for 34 years, the last 22 as a head coach. Greenberg has been the h ...
, and
LaPhonso Ellis LaPhonso Darnell Ellis (born May 5, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player and college basketball analyst. He played for 11 years in the National Basketball Association after starring at Notre Dame. He worked as a broadcaster ...
, was also broadcast live from Cameron Indoor Stadium earlier in the day. The game also aired in 4K on
DirecTV DirecTV, LLC is an American Multichannel television in the United States, multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital Satellite television, s ...
,
Comcast Comcast Corporation, formerly known as Comcast Holdings,Before the AT&T Broadband, AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, not th ...
,
YouTube TV YouTube TV is an American Pay television, subscription Over-the-top media service, over-the-top streaming television service operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, which in turn is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., who announced YouTube TV ...
, and Verizon FiOS. *ACC Network provided a second-screen alternate feed called “ Coach K Curtain Call”, which offered commentary from
Wes Durham Dallas Wesley "Wes" Durham (born January 25, 1966, in Greensboro, North Carolina) is an American sportscaster. He is a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and ACC Network coverage of college football and basketball. Durham served as the radio play-b ...
, Mark Packer, and Debbie Antonelli, as well as interviews with special guests throughout the game. ACC Network’s pregame show “Nothing But Net” also broadcast live from Cameron Indoor Stadium for a 90-minute pregame show prior to the game. ESPN also had live, onsite reports from Duke starting Thursday, March 3. Various studio shows, halftime of men’s college games from Thursday through Saturday made their presence on campus as well. ESPN also had live on-site coverage all day that Saturday, which began with the 7 a.m.
SportsCenter ''SportsCenter'' (SC) is an American television sports news broadcasting show broadcast by ESPN. Originally anchored by Chris Berman, George Grande,  Greg Gumbel, Lee Leonard, Bob Ley, Sal Marchiano and Lou Palmer, it premiered on Septem ...
, leading into GameDay. Every presentation was available on the ESPN app.


2022 Women's Final Four

ESPN’s MegaCast series continued the weekend of April 3 for the 2022 Women's Final Four. * The main telecasts of all games aired on ESPN per usual, with
Ryan Ruocco Ryan Ruocco (; born November 18, 1986) is an American television and radio sportscaster. He serves as a play-by-play announcer for the NBA, WNBA, and women's college basketball on ESPN, and the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets on YES Netwo ...
,
Rebecca Lobo Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin (born October 6, 1973) is an American television basketball analyst and former professional women's basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2003. Lobo, at 6'4", played the cent ...
,
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
, and Andraya Carter calling the action. * For the semifinals, ESPNU and ESPN+ simulcast ''The Bird and Taurasi Show'', hosted by WNBA legends
Sue Bird Suzanne Brigit Bird (born October 16, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played her entire career with the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Bird was drafted first overall pick by t ...
and
Diana Taurasi Diana Lorena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 20 seasons, spending her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi is widely ...
. In a similar approach to the
Manningcast ''Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli'', colloquially known as the ''Manningcast'', is an American alternate live television broadcast of ''Monday Night Football'' hosted by brothers Peyton and Eli Manning, both former quarterbacks from th ...
, Bird and Taurasi had their own concourse set, where they provided their own commentary and were joined by special guests throughout the night. This feed moved to ESPN2 for the Championship Game. * ESPN+ carried different feeds, including a ''Second Spectrum Player Tracking'' broadcast, which aired on ESPN+ for the semifinals, and was simulcast on ESPNU for the Championship Game. ESPN+ also carried the ''Beyond the Rim'' and ''On the Rail'' feeds. All broadcasts were made available on the ESPN App.


2023 Women's Final Four

ESPN brought back their MegaCast series during the weekend of April 2 for the 2023 Women's Final Four. * The main telecasts of the semifinals was simulcast between ESPN and
ESPNU ESPNU is an American multinational digital cable and satellite sports television channel owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remain ...
, with
Ryan Ruocco Ryan Ruocco (; born November 18, 1986) is an American television and radio sportscaster. He serves as a play-by-play announcer for the NBA, WNBA, and women's college basketball on ESPN, and the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets on YES Netwo ...
,
Rebecca Lobo Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin (born October 6, 1973) is an American television basketball analyst and former professional women's basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2003. Lobo, at 6'4", played the cent ...
,
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
, and Andraya Carter calling the action. The championship game aired on
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
for the first time ever. Ruocco, Lobo, Rowe, and Carter returned to call the title game as well. * ESPN brought back ''The Bird and Taurasi Show'', hosted by WNBA legends
Sue Bird Suzanne Brigit Bird (born October 16, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played her entire career with the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Bird was drafted first overall pick by t ...
and
Diana Taurasi Diana Lorena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 20 seasons, spending her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi is widely ...
. Bird and Taurasi had their own concourse set, where they provided their own commentary and were joined by special guests throughout the night. Unlike the previous year, every telecast aired on ESPN2. * ESPN+ carried the ''Beyond the Rim'' and ''On the Rail'' feeds once again. All broadcasts were made available on ESPN+ and the ESPN App.


2024 Women's Final Four

The 2024 edition of the Women's Final Four Megacast on ESPN during the weekend of April 7 featured the same viewing options as the previous years. * The main telecasts of the semifinals aired on ESPN, with
Ryan Ruocco Ryan Ruocco (; born November 18, 1986) is an American television and radio sportscaster. He serves as a play-by-play announcer for the NBA, WNBA, and women's college basketball on ESPN, and the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets on YES Netwo ...
,
Rebecca Lobo Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin (born October 6, 1973) is an American television basketball analyst and former professional women's basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2003. Lobo, at 6'4", played the cent ...
, and
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
, as well as rules analysts Lisa Mattingly and Denny Meyer, calling the action. The championship game again aired on
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
, with Ruocco, Lobo, Rowe, Mattingly, and Meyer calling the title game as well. * ''The Bird and Taurasi Show'' presented by
AT&T AT&T Inc., an abbreviation for its predecessor's former name, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, is an American multinational telecommunications holding company headquartered at Whitacre Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas. It is the w ...
, hosted by WNBA legends
Sue Bird Suzanne Brigit Bird (born October 16, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played her entire career with the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Bird was drafted first overall pick by t ...
and
Diana Taurasi Diana Lorena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 20 seasons, spending her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi is widely ...
aired on
ESPN2 ESPN2 is an American multinational pay television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). ESPN2 was initially ...
for the semifinals, and on ESPN for the title game. Like in previous years, Bird and Taurasi had their own concourse set, where they provided their own commentary and were joined by special guests throughout the night. * ESPN+ carried the ''Beyond the Rim'' and ''On the Rail'' feeds once again. All broadcasts were made available on ESPN+ and the ESPN App.


2025 Women's Final Four

The 2025 edition of the Women's Final Four Megacast on ESPN during the weekend of April 6 featured the same viewing options as the previous years. * The main telecasts of the semifinals aired on ESPN, with
Ryan Ruocco Ryan Ruocco (; born November 18, 1986) is an American television and radio sportscaster. He serves as a play-by-play announcer for the NBA, WNBA, and women's college basketball on ESPN, and the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets on YES Netwo ...
,
Rebecca Lobo Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin (born October 6, 1973) is an American television basketball analyst and former professional women's basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2003. Lobo, at 6'4", played the cent ...
, and
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
, as well as rules analyst
Violet Palmer Violet Renice Palmer (born July 20, 1964) is a retired American basketball referee in the NBA and WNBA and the first female official to reach the highest competitive tier in any major U.S. professional sports league. She also earned recognition ...
, calling the action. The championship game again aired on
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
, with Ruocco, Lobo, Rowe, and Palmer calling the title game as well. * ''The Bird and Taurasi Show'' presented by
AT&T AT&T Inc., an abbreviation for its predecessor's former name, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, is an American multinational telecommunications holding company headquartered at Whitacre Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas. It is the w ...
, hosted by WNBA legends
Sue Bird Suzanne Brigit Bird (born October 16, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played her entire career with the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Bird was drafted first overall pick by t ...
and
Diana Taurasi Diana Lorena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 20 seasons, spending her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi is widely ...
aired on
ESPN2 ESPN2 is an American multinational pay television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). ESPN2 was initially ...
for the semifinals, and on ESPN for the title game. Like in previous years, Bird and Taurasi had their own concourse set, where they provided their own commentary and were joined by special guests throughout the night. * ESPN+ carried the ''Beyond the Rim'' and ''On the Rail'' feeds once again. All broadcasts were made available on ESPN+,
Disney+ The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
, and the ESPN App.


NBA Megacasts


Bulls-Heat NBA Playoffs

This was the second installment of ''ESPN Full Circle'', which aired on April 22, 2006. The official name of this one was ''ESPN Full Circle: Bulls-Heat NBA Playoffs'' and the game was the
Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...
vs. the
Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern C ...
. The game was seen by an average of 2,648,000 households on ESPN and ESPN2, marking a 45% increase when compared to the equivalent NBA playoff telecast the previous year. In addition, ESPN.com's
ESPN Motion ESPN Broadband is a business unit of the ESPN company - itself a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. This unit focuses on providing sports content to users over a high speed internet connection. It is divided into five areas: ESPN Motion, ESPN ...
received nearly 600,000 video streams for Bulls/Heat content.
Mike Tirico Michael Todd Tirico (; born December 13, 1966) is an American sportscaster. He is currently the lead play-by-play announcer for ''NBC Sunday Night Football'', having replaced Al Michaels in 2022, and is set to become the lead play-by-play anno ...
called the game along with
Bill Walton William Theodore Walton III (November 5, 1952 – May 27, 2024) was an American basketball player and television Sports commentator, sportscaster. He played college basketball, collegiately for the UCLA Bruins men's basketball, UCLA Bruins an ...
and
Steve "Snapper" Jones Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones Sr. (October 17, 1942 – November 25, 2017) was an American basketball player in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA), and later a television analyst. He was a three-t ...
and Jim Gray as the sideline reporter.


Coverage

* ESPN (ESPNHD) featured standard coverage of the game * ESPN2 (ESPN2HD) featured the ''Above the Rim'' cam along with commentary from ''
NBA Shootaround ''NBA Countdown'', branded for sponsorship purposes as ''NBA Countdown Presented by DraftKings, DraftKings Sportsbook'' for ESPN editions and ''NBA Countdown Delivered by Papa John's'' for ABC editions respectively, is a Pre-game show, pregame ...
'' commentators John Saunders,
Greg Anthony Gregory Carlton Anthony (born November 15, 1967) is an American former professional basketball player who is a television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports. He played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Anthony also co ...
,
Tim Legler Timothy Eugene Legler (born December 26, 1966) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is currently an ESPN basketball analyst and co-host/analyst on SiriusXM NBA Radio. C ...
and Stephen A. Smith. * ESPN360 featured additional stats, hosted by ESPN Radio's
Jeff Rickard Jeff Rickard is currently the Program Director and an unpopular Morning Show Host at Emmis Communications’ all-sports radio station, WFNI, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Career Rickard started with Emmis as a part-time host and programming adv ...
and
NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
insider
John Hollinger John Hollinger (born May 17, 1971) is the former Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and current Senior NBA columnist at ''The Athletic''. Prior to December 2012, he was ...
. * ESPN Deportes simulcast the game in Spanish with Álvaro Martín and Carlos Morales. * ESPN.com coverage included live chats with ''
NBA on ESPN ''NBA on ESPN'' is an American television sports presentation show broadcast by ESPN. It aired from 1982 to 1984. The show returned since October 30, 2002. It consists of branding used for the presentation of National Basketball Association gam ...
'' analysts during the game, in addition to GameCast information and in-game fan polling. * ESPN Radio provided on-site updates during ESPN Radio's GameNight. * ESPNEWS featured in progress highlights and analysis from ESPN NBA analysts. * Mobile ESPN provided in-progress video highlights throughout the game and halftime analysis. It also had a live scoreboard and an in-game box score.


NBA-Daily Wager

Before, ESPN's NBA Megacasts have usually seen a streaming platform air the game in different ways. On April 14, 2021, ESPN+ teamed up with ESPN to air a Daily Wager broadcast of the
Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), ...
-
Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlan ...
game with betting stats popping up during the game, and the Daily Wager crew and
Kendrick Perkins Kendrick Le'Dale Perkins (born November 10, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player who serves as sports analyst for ESPN. He entered the NBA directly out of high school and played for the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunde ...
providing commentary. This was available for ESPN+ subscribers, but, this telecast was also simulcast on ESPN2 for people watching on TV and streaming via their cable providers on the ESPN app.


NBA- Marvel Arena of Heroes Competition

For the first time ever, on May 3, 2021, Marvel Studios teamed up with ESPN on a Megacast of an NBA game, as
Steph Curry Steph is often a short form of the feminine given name Stephanie and its other variants, or the masculine given name Stephen. Women * Steph Bridge (born 1972), British kitesurfer * Steph Catley (born 1994), Australian footballer * Steph Cook (born ...
and the
Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1946 i ...
faced
Zion Williamson Zion Lateef Williamson (born July 6, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the power forward position. Following a freshman-year stint with the D ...
and the
New Orleans Pelicans The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Confere ...
for a special "Marvel Arena of Heroes" interactive telecast where select players (Curry,
Andrew Wiggins Andrew Christian Wiggins (born February 23, 1995) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Clevelan ...
, and
Draymond Green Draymond Jamal Green (born March 4, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Green, who plays primarily at the Power forward (basketball), power forward pos ...
for Golden State, Williamson,
Lonzo Ball Lonzo Anderson Ball (born October 27, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, he played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins, earni ...
, and
Brandon Ingram Brandon Xavier Ingram (born September 2, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2016 N ...
for New Orleans), gained or lost points based on stats, e.g. 1 point for each point scored, -1 point for every basket missed. The team that had the most Arena of Heroes points are named the champions of the broadcast.
Ryan Ruocco Ryan Ruocco (; born November 18, 1986) is an American television and radio sportscaster. He serves as a play-by-play announcer for the NBA, WNBA, and women's college basketball on ESPN, and the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets on YES Netwo ...
and
Richard Jefferson Richard Allen Jefferson Jr. (born June 21, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played small forward. He played for eight teams in his 17-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Jefferson playe ...
provided commentary in a heavily-Marvel themed studio in ESPN's Bristol campus, with Marvel expert Angélique Roché providing special commentary. Like the Daily Wager Megacast, this Megacast was available on
ESPN+ ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communicati ...
and
ESPN2 ESPN2 is an American multinational pay television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). ESPN2 was initially ...
.


NBA CourtView

For the first time ever, ESPN presented one of their NBA broadcasts, completely in 3D technology. Debuting during the Mavericks-Nets game on Wednesday March 16, and called by Drew Carter and
Tim Legler Timothy Eugene Legler (born December 26, 1966) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is currently an ESPN basketball analyst and co-host/analyst on SiriusXM NBA Radio. C ...
, this broadcast was made available on ESPN+, as well as
ESPNEWS ESPNews (pronounced "ESPN News," stylized ESPNEWS) is an American multinational digital cable and satellite television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hear ...
, due to ESPN2’s coverage of the NIT.


NBA75 Celebration Game: Nets-Knicks

Continuing the celebration of the NBA’s 75th anniversary, ESPN put together a special “RetroCast” of their Nets-Knicks NBA Wednesday broadcast. ESPN’s lead team of
Mike Breen Michael Breen (born May 22, 1961) is an American play-by-play sports commentator. He has been the lead announcer for National Basketball Association, NBA games on NBA on ABC, ABC and NBA on ESPN, ESPN since 2006, including the NBA Finals. He is ...
,
Mark Jackson Mark A. Jackson (born April 1, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player who was a point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the St. John's Red Storm and was selected by the New ...
,
Jeff Van Gundy Jeffrey William Van Gundy (born January 19, 1962) is an American basketball coach and former commentator who is currently the lead assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers. Van Gundy previously served as head coach of the New York Knicks and ...
, and
Lisa Salters Alisia "Lisa" Salters (born March 6, 1966) is an American journalist and former college basketball player. She has been a reporter for ESPN and ESPN on ABC since 2000. Salters previously covered the O. J. Simpson murder case for American Broadc ...
talked to a variety of special guests which included: Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and
Bill Walton William Theodore Walton III (November 5, 1952 – May 27, 2024) was an American basketball player and television Sports commentator, sportscaster. He played college basketball, collegiately for the UCLA Bruins men's basketball, UCLA Bruins an ...
, and legendary broadcasters Marv Albert, Bob Costas, Dick Stockton, and Hubie Brown, who was also working the main broadcast with
Ryan Ruocco Ryan Ruocco (; born November 18, 1986) is an American television and radio sportscaster. He serves as a play-by-play announcer for the NBA, WNBA, and women's college basketball on ESPN, and the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets on YES Netwo ...
and Cassidy Hubbarth on ESPN. The broadcast also incorporated the style of graphics used in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, based on three respective networks: NBA on ABC, ABC for the 60s, NBA on CBS, CBS for the 70s and 80s, and NBA on NBC, NBC for the 90s (which also included the "Roundball Rock" theme), and special ABC Sports gold jackets were made and worn by the announcers. This broadcast aired on ESPN2.


NBA Finals: Celebrating 75: Celtics-Warriors Game 1

Continuing the celebration of the NBA’s 75th anniversary, for the first time ever, ESPN put together a Megacast option for Game 1 the 2022 NBA Finals, NBA Finals. This broadcast resembled the NBA75 Celebration Game in April.
SportsCenter ''SportsCenter'' (SC) is an American television sports news broadcasting show broadcast by ESPN. Originally anchored by Chris Berman, George Grande,  Greg Gumbel, Lee Leonard, Bob Ley, Sal Marchiano and Lou Palmer, it premiered on Septem ...
’s Michael Eaves, who also hosts NBA Countdown on Wednesdays, hosted this broadcast alongside New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, who signed a deal to join ESPN in a multi-platform role, and
Tim Legler Timothy Eugene Legler (born December 26, 1966) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is currently an ESPN basketball analyst and co-host/analyst on SiriusXM NBA Radio. C ...
. The trio provided their own commentary and talked with numerous special guests including Julius Erving and Magic Johnson. The broadcast also special graphics and footage from the NBA’s 75 year history. Due to ESPN holding commitments to the 2022 NCAA Division I softball tournament, 2022 Women's College World Series, this broadcast aired on ESPN2, alongside the NBA on ABC, ABC broadcast.


NBA in Stephen A's World

In partnership with Peyton Manning's production company, Omaha Productions, ESPN created an alternate broadcast for NBA games hosted by Stephen A. Smith. In a similar approach to the Manningcast, Smith would watch the game and talk to various guests. Eight broadcasts were produced, five of them during the playoffs, and each aired on ESPN2 and ESPN+, alongside the main ESPN/ABC broadcast.


NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart

ESPN once again teamed up with Omaha Productions to create an alternate broadcast for NBA games, this time being hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. In a similar approach to the Manningcast, Hart, along with the Plastic Cup Boyz, analyze the games in their own unique way and hold conversations with various guests. Three broadcasts were produced, with its debut during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament championship game. Each one aired on ESPN2, alongside the main ESPN/ABC broadcast.


The Bird and Taurasi Show

ESPN brought The Bird and Taurasi Show over to the NBA for a special Christmas Day alternate broadcast during the Milwaukee Bucks-New York Knicks game. Unlike the Women's Final Four, Bird and Taurasi both hosted the show from home, and were joined by multiple special guests throughout. This broadcast aired on ESPN2 and ESPN+, alongside the main ESPN broadcast.


Dunk the Halls

On December 25, 2024, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+ will feature a ''Dunk the Halls'' alternative broadcast of the Christmas game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. It will use Hawk-Eye and other Sony-owned technology to render a live animated version of the contest being played at Main Street, USA at the Magic Kingdom, with Mickey Mouse universe characters cheering them on.


NASCAR Busch Series Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200

The fifth installment of ''ESPN Full Circle'' aired on March 4, 2007, a NASCAR Busch Series race held at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. This was the first NASCAR race on ''Full Circle''. ESPN's regular NASCAR announce team of Dr. Jerry Punch called the race along with analysis from Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Allen Bestwick, Mike Massaro, Jamie Little, and Dave Burns (reporter), Dave Burns reported from pit lane.


Coverage

* ESPN (ESPNHD) and ESPN Deportes featured a simulcast of the traditional race coverage in the Spanish language. This was the first event not covered in English by ESPN. During the race, viewers were asked to call 1-800-DEPORTES or log on to the network's website to express interest in adding it to their providers' channel lineups. * ESPN2 (ESPN2HD) had the traditional race coverage in English. * ESPN360 offered different camera views from the regular race. * ESPNEWS provided updates through the event.


College Football Megacasts


Florida State at Miami

This was the third installment of ''ESPN Full Circle'', which aired on September 4, 2006. The official name of this one was ''ESPN Full Circle: Florida State at Miami'' and the game was a college football matchup between the Florida State Seminoles football, Florida State Seminoles at the Miami Hurricanes football, Miami Hurricanes. ESPN's coverage of the game averaged 6,330,000 households (a 6.9 rating), making it the network's most-viewed college football game (including regular season and bowl games) ever. It was then the network's second highest-rated college football game (including regular season and bowl games) ever (behind a 7.7 rating for Florida State at Miami on ESPN October 8, 1994). The telecast was television's most-viewed program of the night across key male 18-to-34 (1,687,000 average), 18-to-49 (3,466,000) and 25-to-54 (3,453,000) demographics and fourth most-viewed program in households.
Mike Patrick Michael Patrick (September 9, 1944 – April 20, 2025) was an American sportscaster, known for his long tenure with ESPN. Early career Patrick began his broadcasting career in the fall of 1966 at WVSC-Radio (now WGGI (AM), WGGI) in Somerset, P ...
called the game along with analysis from Todd Blackledge and
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
reporting from the sideline.


Coverage

* ESPN (ESPNHD) featured the traditional coverage of a not so regular football game. It also had "look-ins" to how other entities were covering the game * ESPN2 (ESPN2HD) offered coverage of the game utilizing multiple camera angles in a mosaic-style presentation. The screen featured the primary ESPN telecast surrounded by seven additional camera angles that include isolations of the coaches, quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and other key offensive and defensive matchups. The screen at the bottom featured the SkyCam angle throughout the entire game. * ESPNU televised the game from the SkyCam angle and feature the unique commentary and perspectives of ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd. He reacted to the game and was joined by special guests. * ESPN 360 offered a simulcast feed of ESPNU's SkyCam presentation with extra stats during commercial breaks. * ESPN Deportes offered traditional game coverage with Spanish language commentary. * Mobile ESPN targeted specifically to sports fans will provide a variety of content, including game alerts, live updates and in-game polling. * ESPN International had a traditional telecast offered to approximately 54 countries worldwide. * ESPN.com had a live chat with Jim Donnan, reports from Ivan Maisel, GameCast's real-time animated game representation and in-game polling. * ESPNEWS offered frequent updates and analysis. * ESPN Radio provided in-game updates from '' GameNight'', on-site reports and periodic live audio of Colin Cowherd's commentary from ESPNU.


Florida vs. Auburn

This was the fourth installment of ''ESPN Full Circle'', which aired on October 14, 2006. The official name of this one was ''ESPN Full Circle delivered by The New AT&T: Florida vs. Auburn'' and the game was a college football matchup between the Florida Gators football, Florida Gators at the Auburn Tigers football, Auburn Tigers. It generated the lowest ratings of any of the Full Circle telecasts with a 3.3 rating. This was also the second college football game on ''Full Circle''.
Mike Patrick Michael Patrick (September 9, 1944 – April 20, 2025) was an American sportscaster, known for his long tenure with ESPN. Early career Patrick began his broadcasting career in the fall of 1966 at WVSC-Radio (now WGGI (AM), WGGI) in Somerset, P ...
called the game along with analysis from Todd Blackledge and
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
reporting from the sideline.


Coverage

* ESPN (ESPNHD) featured the traditional coverage of the college football game. It also had "look-ins" to how other entities were covering the game * ESPN2 (ESPN2HD) featured the traditional game coverage surrounded by four other angles in smaller screens in a mosaic-style presentation that will isolate the head coaches, the quarterbacks as well as provide the full-time view from Skycam.
ESPN Radio ESPN Radio, which is alternatively branded platform-agnostically as ESPN Audio, is an American sports radio network and extension of the ESPN television network. It was launched on January 1, 1992, under the banner "SportsRadio ESPN". The netw ...
's Colin Cowherd provided commentary and react to the game and was joined by special guests including Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Mark May, Lou Holtz and Mel Kiper Jr. * ESPNU will feature the traditional game coverage on the main screen surrounded by five smaller screens, including isolation angles of the head coaches, the quarterbacks, and other storyline-driven views plus the full-time view from Skycam. * ESPN 360 offered a simulcast feed of ESPNU's SkyCam presentation with extra stats during commercial breaks. * Mobile ESPN televised live full game coverage streamed live on the phone, plus in-game alerts and highlights, as well as preview video clips and interviews. * ESPN International had a traditional telecast offered to approximately 175 countries worldwide and at United States Navy, US Naval ships around the world. * ESPN.com had a live chat with Pat Forde, reports from Ivan Maisel, GameCast's real-time animated game representation and in-game polling. * ESPNEWS offered game highlights and opinions from ESPN's college football commentators, pre- and post-game analysis and live press conferences. * ESPN Radio provided in-game updates from '' GameNight'', on-site reports and periodic live audio of Colin Cowherd's commentary from
ESPNU ESPNU is an American multinational digital cable and satellite sports television channel owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remain ...
. * ''College GameDay'' was broadcast live from the campus of Auburn University at the usual time of 10 a.m. North American Eastern Time Zone, ET and signed off at 12:01 pm.


BCS National Championship Game

In December 2013, ESPN announced that it would cover the 2014 BCS National Championship Game with what it branded as a ''Megacast'': * ESPN carried traditional coverage of the game with Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit, and ESPN Deportes broadcast the game in Spanish. * ESPN2 aired ''BCS Title Talk'', a broadcast of the game with special guests (such as celebrities and coaches) providing analysis * ESPNU aired ''BCS Film Room'', which featured expert analysis of plays hosted by Chris Spielman and Tom Luginbill * ESPN Classic carried the game without commentary (''Sounds of the BCS''). * ESPN Goal Line carried ''BCS Command Center'', a split-screen view with live, on-screen statistics * WatchESPN carried several online-exclusive feeds, including a Spidercam feed, and feeds featuring the Auburn Tigers football, Auburn Tigers and Florida State Seminoles football, Florida State Seminoles radio broadcasts.


2014 Iron Bowl

In November 2014, ESPN broadcast that season's edition of the Iron Bowl rivalry game between the Alabama Crimson Tide football, Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers football, Auburn Tigers. The game was accompanied by a special simulcast on SEC Network, the ''Finebaum Film Room,'' where Paul Finebaum, Cole Cubelic and Greg McElroy analyzed the game and took viewer calls.


2015 College Football Playoff National Championship

The Megacast returned for the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship; * ESPN carried traditional coverage of the game with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit. The ''Film Room'' moved to ESPN2, ESPN Classic carried the commentary-free "sounds of the game" feed, and ESPN Goal Line again carried ''Command Center'', a split-screen view with live, on-screen statistics and
ESPN Radio ESPN Radio, which is alternatively branded platform-agnostically as ESPN Audio, is an American sports radio network and extension of the ESPN television network. It was launched on January 1, 1992, under the banner "SportsRadio ESPN". The netw ...
audio. * ESPNews carried ''Off The Ball'', which carried person-on-person analysis of players not near the ball, hosted by Bob Wischusen * ESPNU carried "Voices", which featured special guests providing analysis (similar to 2014's ''BCS Title Talk'') * WatchESPN carried several online-exclusive feeds, including the Spidercam, student sections, and team feeds with simulcasts of their respective radio networks.


2016 College Football Playoff

For 2016, enhanced feeds were expanded to the College Football Playoff semi-final bowl games, the 2015 Orange Bowl and 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic (December), 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic. ESPN2 aired a simulcast of ESPN Deportes' Spanish-language coverage, and home and away radio broadcast feeds were carried on WatchESPN. Owing to the participation of 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Alabama, the Cotton Bowl broadcast additionally featured the return of the ''Finebaum Film Room'' on SEC Network, as previously featured during the 2014 Iron Bowl. ESPN provided enhanced feeds during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship; * As with the previous year, ESPN carried traditional coverage of the game, ESPN2 carried the ''Film Room'' with Brian Griese, Chris Spielman, and Jim McElwain, ESPN Deportes carried the game in Spanish, ESPN Classic carried a feed without commentary, and ESPN Goal Line carried the ''Command Center''. *ESPNews carried ''ESPN Voices'', with special guests discussing the game. * ESPNU carried the ''Homer Telecast'', with Joe Tessitore on play-by-play and discussion of the game from the opposing viewpoints of Clemson alumni Tajh Boyd and Alabama alumni Barrett Jones. * SEC Network carried the ''Finebaum Film Room'', with Paul Finebaum, Greg McElroy, Booger McFarland, and Bret Bielema analyzing the game from the SEC perspective and taking viewer calls. * WatchESPN carried several online-exclusive feeds, including the Spidercam, Pylon Cam (which feature feeds from cameras installed within the pylons at the sides of the field), team feeds with simulcasts of their respective radio networks and focus on star players, the ''Data Center'' with advanced statistics, and the ''Student Section'' cam. A new addition for 2016 was the ''Mock Replay Booth'', which featured former ACC official Ralph Pickett, current SEC official Ben Oldham, and ESPN rules analyst Doug Rhoads providing an "inside look at the Instant replay in American and Canadian football, review process in which replay officials review every play of the game." In Canada, the Film Room feed was carried by TSN2 (a sister network to the ESPN-affiliated The Sports Network, TSN, which simulcast the ESPN broadcast across its main regional channels), while the TSN website carried ''ESPN Voices'', ''Homer Telecast'' and ''Finebaum Film Room'' online. Reseau des Sports, RDS carried a Canadian French, French language broadcast.


2017 College Football Playoff

The 2016 Peach Bowl, Peach Bowl and 2016 Fiesta Bowl (December), Fiesta Bowl semi-final games were broadcast with Command Center on ESPN2, and Skycam, DataCenter (a simulcast of the main broadcast on ESPN with additional statistic displays), and simulcasts with audio from the participating teams' radio networks on WatchESPN. During the Peach Bowl, played between Alabama and Washington, SEC Network featured the Finebaum Film Room. For the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, championship game, ESPN2 carried a reprise of the "homer" commentary featuring Joe Tessitore, Adam Amin, Tajh Boyd, and Barrett Jones, ''ESPN Voices'' (with Michelle Beadle, Keyshawn Johnson,
Bill Walton William Theodore Walton III (November 5, 1952 – May 27, 2024) was an American basketball player and television Sports commentator, sportscaster. He played college basketball, collegiately for the UCLA Bruins men's basketball, UCLA Bruins an ...
, and Marcellus Wiley) aired on ESPNU, SEC Network carried the Finebaum Film Room, ESPNews carried the ''Coaches Film Room'' (hosted by Brian Griese, featuring discussion of the game with Dino Babers, Steve Addazio, Kalani Sitake, Dave Doeren, Mike MacIntrye, and Matt Rhule), and ESPN Goal Line carried Command Center. WatchESPN carried the Mock Replay Booth, DataCenter, as well as Skycam, Pylon Cam, ''Taco Bell Student Section'', and simulcasts with audio from the participating teams' radio networks. In Canada, the Homer Telecast, ESPN Voices, and the Coaches Film Room were available for streaming via TSN Go.


2017 Ohio State–Indiana game

On August 15, 2017, ESPN announced it would utilize its Megacast production on its August 31 college football season opener featuring 2017 Ohio State Buckeyes football team, Ohio State at 2017 Indiana Hoosiers football team, Indiana. ESPNews carried the "Coaches' Film Room" (with the on-air debut of Les Miles), ESPNU carried a "homer" broadcast with Dan Dakich, Adnan Virk, and Joe Tessitore, while ESPN Goal Line carried Command Center. ESPNU also carried ''Field Pass'', a pre-game show hosted from inside Memorial Stadium (Indiana), Memorial Stadium. "DataCenter", all-22, and skycam views were available on the ESPN App.


2018 College Football Playoff and New Year's Six

For the 2017 Cotton Bowl Classic (December), December 2017 Cotton Bowl Classic, ESPN carried the main game while the ESPN App offered All-22, Command Center and Skycam views. ESPN's other linear channels did not participate for that game because of college basketball commitments. For the 2018 Outback Bowl, ESPN2 carried the main game while the ESPN App offered only the SkyCam view. ESPN was airing the 2018 Peach Bowl (January), 2018 Peach Bowl at the same time so therefore the Outback Bowl was moved to ESPN2. For the semifinal games—the 2018 Rose Bowl and 2018 Sugar Bowl, Sugar Bowl, ESPNews offered the Film Room (featuring Syracuse University, Syracuse's Dino Barbers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina's Larry Fedora, West Virginia University, West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen, Ole Miss' Matt Luke (American football), Matt Luke, Texas Christian University, TCU's Gary Patterson, and former University of Arkansas, Arkansas and University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema), as well as the Command Center (ESPN2), Finebaum Film Room (SEC Network), DataCenter (ESPN Goal Line) and other feeds on the ESPN App. In addition to these feeds, the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship added the "Homer Telecast" (ESPN2) with then New York Giants cornerback Landon Collins representing Alabama and former Georgia quarterback and current CBS Sports analyst Aaron Murray representing Georgia.


2018 Virginia Tech vs. Florida State

For the September 3, 2018 (Labor Day) contest between 2018 Florida State Seminoles football team, Florida State and 2018 Virginia Tech Hokies football team, Virginia Tech, ESPN aired a six-channel megacast, with Coaches Film Room on ESPNEWS, Command Center on ESPNU, and Data Center and Skycam on ESPN3, in addition to the traditional telecast on ESPN. ESPN also planned to have a "BlimpCast" with Marty Smith (reporter), Marty Smith and Ryan McGee calling the game from the world famous Goodyear Blimp. That was to be seen on the ESPN app. However, the "BlimpCast" was canceled at the last minute due to severe weather in the Tallahassee area. Instead, Marty and McGee did their own Megacast production from the sidelines, which was seen on the app.


2019 College Football Playoff Championship

For the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship, ESPN dramatically reorganized the Megacast offerings. On ESPN2, replacing the Homer Telecast was "Field Pass," where Adam Amin and Steve Levy covered the game from the sidelines with guests. ESPNews carried the "''Monday Night Football'' Film Room", which featured analysis and discussion by the ''MNF'' commentary crew of Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten, and Booger McFarland, joined by Todd McShay. SEC Network carried a feed hosted by the panel of ''Thinking Out Loud'' (Marcus Spears (defensive end), Marcus Spears, Greg McElroy and Alyssa Lang). ESPN Classic again carried the commentary-free Sounds of the Game (which included the halftime performances) while ESPNU carried Command Center.. ESPN3 offered hometown radio broadcasts, two different angles of skycam, an angle from the Goodyear Blimp, a wider all-22 angle, and a combined "TechCast" that shows multiple camera angles.


2020 College Football Playoff Championship

New to the Megacast for 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2020 was a "Refcast," which featured a panel of former official (American football), officials to analyze calls made by the in-game officials, and views from mobile cameras worn by the officials and chain crew. SEC Network and ACC Network picked up the radio broadcasts for LSU and Clemson respectively. Command Center moved to ESPNEWS while ESPNU revived the Coaches Film Room. The main telecast, Field Pass, Sounds of the Game, all-22, DataCenter and a single skycam angle were carried over as they were in 2019, with the remaining feeds dropped.


2021 College Football Playoff

For the 2021 Rose Bowl and 2021 Sugar Bowl, Sugar Bowl semi-final games, ESPN offered the Command Center, SkyCast, Datacenter, all-22, and home radio feeds across its television networks and digital. The 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, national championship game featured most of the same options introduced for 2020, but with ESPN2 introducing the new "CFP Live" broadcast (hosted by the panel of ESPN's ''NFL Live''), the Film Room moving to ESPNews, and the SkyCast moving to ESPNU. SEC Network took Alabama's radio feed, with Ohio State's radio broadcast, as well as the Command Center, Datacenter, Refcast, High SkyCam, and All-22 exclusive to streaming. A 4K SkyCam feed sponsored by Samsung Electronics, Samsung was also offered via selected television providers. This was the last year that Sounds of the Game aired on ESPN Classic, as the channel is scheduled to shut down December 31, 2021.


2022 College Football Playoff

In addition to the semifinals (the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic, Cotton Bowl and the 2021 Orange Bowl (December), Orange Bowl), all New Year’s Six games (2021 Peach Bowl (December), Peach Bowl, 2022 Fiesta Bowl (January), Fiesta Bowl, 2022 Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl, and 2022 Sugar Bowl (January), Sugar Bowl), received the Megacast treatment. ESPN offered the Command Center, SkyCast, and All-22 for all games, with the home radio feeds, and halftime band performances for the semifinals. The 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, national championship game’s Megacast featured ESPN2 carrying the Film Room with Dusty Dvoracek joining Texas A&M Aggies football, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher and his coaching staff in College Station to provide analysis. ESPNU carried Command Center, while SkyCast moved to ESPNEWS with Anish Shroff and Kelly Stouffer providing commentary. Also part of the presentation is the Spanish-language telecast on ESPN Deportes and SEC Network carrying the local radio feed (Alabama in the first half and Georgia in the second half), with full coverage of Hometown Radio, as well as High Skycast, All-22 and halftime bands available digitally.


CFB Primetime with The Pat McAfee Show

As part of his agreement to join ESPN for College GameDay (football), College GameDay, Pat McAfee was given the rights to his own Megacast coverage for select college football games. In another partnership with Omaha Productions, McAfee and his showmates, along with special guests, analyze the game while also partaking in fun activities and fan engagement throughout each broadcast. This Megacast airs on ESPN2, and concurrently airs during ESPN or ABC’s primetime game of the week.


2023 College Football Playoff

Like last season, ESPN hosted Megacast coverage for all game surrounding the New Year’s Six. Among these broadcasts were two new Playoff Semifinal editions of “CFB Primetime with The Pat McAfee Show”, which served as the Field Pass broadcast on ESPN2 for both the 2022 Fiesta Bowl (December), VRBO Fiesta Bowl and the 2022 Peach Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. ESPN continued to offer the Command Center and AT&T 5G SkyCast for all games, with All-22, the home radio feeds, and new this year, a marching band camera feed for the semifinals. In addition, ESPNU simulcast the Command Center, while both SEC Network and ACC Network both simulcast the SkyCast for the Orange Bowl, with the former also simulcasting the Command Center for the Sugar Bowl. The 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, national championship game’s Megacast featured the return of “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN2, replacing the Film Room feed. ESPNU carried Command Center, while the AT&T 5G SkyCast aired on ESPNEWS.
Comcast Comcast Corporation, formerly known as Comcast Holdings,Before the AT&T Broadband, AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, not th ...
,
DirecTV DirecTV, LLC is an American Multichannel television in the United States, multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital Satellite television, s ...
,
YouTube TV YouTube TV is an American Pay television, subscription Over-the-top media service, over-the-top streaming television service operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, which in turn is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., who announced YouTube TV ...
, and Verizon subscribers got a separate SkyCam feed in 4K. Also part of the presentation was the Spanish-language telecast on ESPN Deportes and SEC Network carrying Georgia’s local radio feed. The All-22, TCU local radio, and marching band feeds were all available on the ESPN app.


2024 College Football Playoff

ESPN's famous Megacast coverage returned for all games surrounding the New Year’s Six. Among the viewing options was the return of the fan favorite “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN2 for both the 2024 Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, where Pat McAfee and his friends hosted, and the 2024 Sugar Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl, which was hosted by Cole Cubelic and other ESPN personalities. ESPN continued to offer the Command Center and SkyCast for all games, with All-22, the home radio feeds, and a marching band camera feed for the semifinals. In addition, ESPNU simulcast the Command Center, while ACC Network simulcast the Command Center for the Orange Bowl. Alabama's radio broadcast was also simulcast on SEC Network The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, national championship game’s Megacast had similar alternate feeds, including “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN2. ESPNU carried Command Center, while the SkyCast aired on ESPNEWS. For the second consecutive year,
Comcast Comcast Corporation, formerly known as Comcast Holdings,Before the AT&T Broadband, AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, not th ...
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DirecTV DirecTV, LLC is an American Multichannel television in the United States, multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital Satellite television, s ...
,
YouTube TV YouTube TV is an American Pay television, subscription Over-the-top media service, over-the-top streaming television service operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, which in turn is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., who announced YouTube TV ...
, and Verizon subscribers got a separate SkyCam feed in 4K. Also part of the presentation was the Spanish-language telecast on ESPN Deportes. The All-22, local radio, and marching band feeds were all available on the ESPN app.


2024 SEC Championship Game

ESPN brought back its Megacast coverage for the 2024 SEC Championship Game, a top 5 rematch between 2024 Georgia Bulldogs football team, #5 Georgia and 2024 Texas Longhorns football team, #2 Texas. The winner also received the SEC's automatic berth in the new 12-team College Football Playoff. The Megacast went as follows: * ABC aired the main feed of the game, the first time the network has done so since 2000 SEC Championship Game, 2000. ESPN's top broadcast crew of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit,
Holly Rowe Holly Rowe (born June 16, 1966) is an American sports telecaster for the ESPN sports television network, as a sideline reporter for college football and basketball games. Rowe made Utah Jazz history on October 22, 2021 as the team's first female ...
, and Bill LeMonnier called the action, with Laura Rutledge (host of SEC Nation and NFL Live), joining Rowe on the sidelines. * ESPN aired the "Field Pass" option, hosted by Cole Cubelic, who was joined by Harry Douglas, Marty Smith (reporter), Marty Smith, and Ryan McGee. This option concluded on ESPNEWS due to ESPN's prior commitment to the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game. * SEC Network aired the SkyCast option, which featured commentary from SEC Nation's Tim Tebow, Jordan Rodgers, and Roman Harper. All broadcasts were available on the ESPN app.


2025 College Football Playoff

ESPN's Megacast coverage returned for all games surrounding the newly-expanded College Football Playoff in 2024-25. The Megacast began with the new First Round games on December 20th and 21st. Both of ESPN's telecasts (2024 Indiana Hoosiers football team, #10 Indiana-2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, #7 Notre Dame on the 20th and 2024 Tennessee Volunteers football team, #9 Tennessee-2024 Ohio State Buckeyes football team, #8 Ohio State on the 21st), were simulcast on College Football on ABC, ABC, the first time the network has aired a CFP game in any form, and feature a Command Center and SkyCast feed, as well as a Marching Band feed. For Indiana-Notre Dame, the Command Center was shown on ESPN2, while the SkyCast was shown on ESPNU. For Tennessee-Ohio State, ESPN brought back “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show”, hosted by Pat McAfee and his friends, on ESPN2. Because of this, the Command Center shifted to ESPNU, while SkyCast shifted to ESPNEWS, as well as SEC Network, with the latter also broadcasting the Hometown Radio feed from Tennessee. ESPN's Megacast plans for the National Quarterfinals mostly remained the same from their first round coverage, minus the ABC simulcasts. Each game had a Command Center feed (on ESPN2 for the 2024 Fiesta Bowl (December), Fiesta and 2025 Peach Bowl, Peach Bowls, ESPNU for the 2025 Rose Bowl, Rose and 2025 Sugar Bowl, Sugar Bowls), and a SkyCast feed (on ESPNU for the Fiesta and Peach Bowls, ESPNEWS for the Rose and Sugar Bowls, and SEC Network for the Peach Bowl with Texas Hometown Radio). The Rose Bowl featured “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show”, hosted by Pat McAfee and his friends, airing on ESPN2. ESPN's Sugar Bowl Megacast was altered due to the game's postponement, which saw the Command Center and SkyCast shift to ESPNU and ESPNEWS respectively as noted above, and the SkyCast with Georgia's Hometown Radio shift from SEC Network to the ESPN App. For the National Semifinals, the 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic (January), Cotton and 2025 Orange Bowl, Orange Bowls, ESPN's Megacast coverage mostly remained the same, except “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show” now airs for both semifinals. Because of this, Command Center shifts to ESPNU, while SkyCast shifts to ESPNEWS. In addition, for the Cotton Bowl, SEC Network aired the game with Texas's Hometown Radio. For the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, national championship game, ESPN's Megacast feeds remained the same as in the previous rounds. With ESPN carrying the main feed, “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show” once again aired on ESPN2. ESPNU carried Command Center, while the SkyCast aired on ESPNEWS. After previously only airing a SkyCast feed in 4K,
Comcast Comcast Corporation, formerly known as Comcast Holdings,Before the AT&T Broadband, AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, not th ...
,
DirecTV DirecTV, LLC is an American Multichannel television in the United States, multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital Satellite television, s ...
,
YouTube TV YouTube TV is an American Pay television, subscription Over-the-top media service, over-the-top streaming television service operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, which in turn is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., who announced YouTube TV ...
, Verizon, Optimum (cable brand), Optimum, Sling TV, and Dish Network subscribers got the entire game in 4K for the first time ever. Also part of the presentation was the Spanish-language telecast on ESPN Deportes. The All-22, local radio, and marching band feeds were all available on the ESPN app.


NFL and Monday Night Megacasts


NFL Draft

In response to a 2018 agreement in which Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox would simulcast NFL Network's coverage of the 2018 NFL draft on broadcast agreement, ESPN, which has long held non-exclusive rights to the draft, announced it would expand its coverage for the 2018 draft to a multi-channel megacast. *ESPN and ESPN Deportes carried its usual draft coverage on opening night. *ESPN2 carried an alternate broadcast of the first night hosted by the ''College GameDay (football TV program), College GameDay'' panel. *ESPN on ABC, ABC aired the final day of the draft in simulcast with ESPN. These arrangements were largely reprised for the 2019 NFL draft, 2019 draft, but with the ''College GameDay'' panel moving to ABC for its primetime coverage of the first two nights (which would feature an entertainment-oriented format). For the 2020 NFL draft, 2020 draft, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 pandemic, ESPN's coverage was simulcast on NFL Network. The above arrangements returned for the 2021 NFL draft, with NFL Network restoring their own coverage, and ESPN producing their telecast, and ABC's telecast.


Pro Bowl

ESPN has carried the Pro Bowl since 2015. ABC later started simulcasting the game in 2018. For the 2019, 2020, and 2022 games, Disney XD was added to the simulcast. In contrast to college sports events, all of the simulcast partners for the Pro Bowl carry the same feed. The Disney XD simulcast in 2020 ended during the second quarter due to ABC News (United States), ABC and NBA on ESPN, ESPN's continuing coverage of the 2020 Calabasas helicopter crash, death of
NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. For 2021, ESPN, ABC, and Disney XD simulcast a special honoring the Pro Bowlers and their achievements during the 2020 season, as the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the game which was going to be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.


2020 Saints–Raiders game

To celebrate the first NFL game in Las Vegas, and the 50th anniversary of Monday Night Football, ESPN held a Megacast the September 21 game between the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders. This was the first time that ESPN had ever Megacast an NFL regular-season game. *ESPN and ESPN on ABC, ABC, who hadn't broadcast an NFL regular season game since 2005, both simulcast the game with the regular MNF team of Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick,
Lisa Salters Alisia "Lisa" Salters (born March 6, 1966) is an American journalist and former college basketball player. She has been a reporter for ESPN and ESPN on ABC since 2000. Salters previously covered the O. J. Simpson murder case for American Broadc ...
, and John Parry (American football official), John Parry live from Las Vegas. *
ESPN2 ESPN2 is an American multinational pay television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). ESPN2 was initially ...
aired a special "watch party" telecast, hosted by College GameDay (football), College GameDay's
Rece Davis William Laurece Davis (born ) is an American sports television journalist for ESPN/ESPN on ABC, ABC. Davis works as an anchor on ''SportsCenter'' and serves as host of various other programs on the network, including ''College GameDay (football ...
from ESPN's main headquarters in Bristol, CT, and ESPN's lead college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit from his home in Nashville, TN. The College GameDay teammates talked with various special guests, including Peyton Manning and Charles Barkley, throughout the game. *ESPN Deportes aired the game in Spanish.


2021 NFL Super Wild Card Weekend: Ravens vs. Titans

Since 2015, ESPN owned rights to one NFL Wild Card game, which they simulcast on ABC and ESPN Deportes starting in 2016. On November 30, to go along with the announcement that ABC would simulcast two late-season MNF games (which both involved the 2020 Buffalo Bills season, Buffalo Bills), ESPN announced that the Megacast would return for the NFL Playoffs, with the game airing on ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes (the same networks that were involved with the Week 2 Megacast), but this time, they included Disney-owned network Freeform (TV channel), Freeform, in an effort to attract a younger/female audience, similar to NFL on CBS, CBS' plan to simulcast NFL on Nickelodeon, their second Wild Card game on Nickelodeon, along with
ESPN+ ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communicati ...
. The announcement came after ESPN's Week 2 Megacast was deemed a success. This was the first NFL playoff game that ESPN2 will broadcast, and the first sports event to air on Freeform since the MLB Postseason in 2002. The Megacast went as follows: *ESPN and ABC simulcast the game with the regular MNF team of Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters, and John Parry live from Nashville. *ESPN2 aired the Film Room, with personalities from NFL Live and Sunday and Monday NFL Countdown providing their own commentary from ESPN's Seaport District Studios in New York City. *The Watch Party telecast returned, but this time, ESPN moved it to Freeform. The watch party this time was hosted by Jesse Palmer and Maria Taylor (sportscaster), Maria Taylor, who were live from Hard Rock Stadium, Miami for the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, CFP National Championship Game the next day on ESPN. The duo talked with various special guests, including chef Duff Goldman, a huge Ravens fan, throughout the broadcast, which also featured a live halftime performance from DJ Khaled. *
ESPN+ ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communicati ...
broadcast Between the Lines, featuring the NFL Live and Daily Wager crews providing analytics, odds, and real-time analysis throughout the game. The NFL Live crew worked from Bristol awhile the Daily Wager crew worked from Las Vegas. *ESPN Deportes aired the game in Spanish. All ESPN productions except Freeform were available on the ESPN app. The Freeform Watch Party was available on the NFL App.


''Manningcast''

On July 19, 2021, ESPN announced a new 3-year partnership with Pro Football Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning and his production company Omaha Productions (company), Omaha Productions. This new deal will include the "ManningCast", a newly revamped version of the "Monday Night Megacast", which will feature Peyton and his younger brother Eli Manning, as well as celebrities and athletes. ESPN and Omaha Productions will produce 10 editions of this Megacast each season, which will begin in 2021, with the first three MNF games of the season. These telecasts will take place remotely, and will air on ESPN2, with a potential distribution across various Disney platforms and ESPN+. A multi-box viewing experience will always be shown, with the ESPN/ABC game feed being shown on one box, and Peyton and Eli's feed in another box. Original plans had the Mannings being joined by a weekly guest host, but ultimately, ESPN decided to feature guests during each game in a less prominent capacity, instead letting the Mannings analyze the game themselves. Both will be live from Denver and New Jersey respectively, although the first week will be from the ESPN Seaport District Studios due to prior scheduling conflicts. After a very successful first season, ESPN and Omaha Productions agreed to a one-year extension of the Manningcast, while also expanding Omaha Productions’ Megacast production rights to other sports like: college football, UFC events, and select golf tournaments. ESPN's deal with Omaha Productions has since been extended through 2034.


2021 Ravens-Raiders game

Nearly a year after their first ever NFL Megacast, ESPN held another Monday Night Megacast for the September 13 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Raiders to celebrate the first NFL game at Allegiant Stadium with fans in attendance. *ESPN and ABC once again simulcast the game with the regular MNF team of Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters, and John Parry live from Las Vegas. *ESPN2 aired the first edition of the "ManningCast", hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, live from the ESPN Seaport District Studios in New York City. While analyzing the game, they both talked with various special guests throughout the game including Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. *ESPN+ also broadcast Between the Lines, which featured the NFL Live and Daily Wager crews providing analytics, odds, and real-time analysis throughout the game. The NFL Live crew worked from Bristol, while the Daily Wager crew worked from Las Vegas. *ESPN Deportes aired the game in Spanish. All broadcasts were available to be streamed live on the ESPN App.


2022 Monday Night Super Wild Card Game: Cardinals vs. Rams

The NFL Playoff Megacast returned for the 2022 playoffs. This year, with the NFL moving a game to Monday Night, ESPN signed a 5-year deal to not only air the Monday Night Wild Card Game, but also give it the Megacast treatment. The 2022 Megacast between the Cardinals and Rams went as follows: * ESPN and ABC once again simulcast the game with the regular MNF team of Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters, and John Parry calling the game from Los Angeles. *ESPN2 aired a special playoff edition of the "ManningCast", hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, live from their homes. * ESPN+ also broadcast Between the Lines, which once again featured the NFL Live and Daily Wager crews providing analytics, odds, and real-time analysis throughout the game. The NFL Live crew worked from Bristol, while the Daily Wager crew worked from Las Vegas. *ESPN Deportes aired the game in Spanish. All broadcasts were available on ESPN+, via the ESPN app, as well as the NFL and Yahoo! platforms.


2023 Monday Night Super Wild Card Game: Cowboys vs. Buccaneers

Once again, ESPN and ABC aired a Monday Night Super Wild Card Game. This year’s Megacast between the Cowboys and Buccaneers went as follows: * ESPN and ABC once again simulcast the game with the regular MNF team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and John Parry calling the game from Tampa. This was also the first playoff game Buck and Aikman called for ESPN and ABC. *ESPN2 and ESPN+ aired a special playoff edition of the "ManningCast", hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, live from their homes. *ESPN Deportes aired the game in Spanish. All broadcasts were available on the ESPN app, as well as ESPN+, and NFL+.


Funday Football

On October 1, 2023, ESPN presented a kid-friendly alternate animated broadcast of the NFL International Series, London game between the 2023 Atlanta Falcons season, Atlanta Falcons and the 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars season, Jacksonville Jaguars, focused on the popular Pixar franchise ''Toy Story (franchise), Toy Story''. Similar to the “NHL Big City Greens Classic” that aired in March, this broadcast also animated every player on a football field board game in the middle of Andy’s Room. ESPN's Drew Carter (sportscaster), Drew Carter and Booger McFarland called the game with Pepper Persley, who has reported for ESPN during their KidsCast coverage of the MLB Little League Classic, reporting from the sidelines. ''Toy Story'' characters also appeared throughout the broadcast, including a halftime show featuring ''Toy Story 4'' character Duke Caboom that was animated by ESPN Creative Studio. This broadcast aired on
Disney+ The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
and
ESPN+ ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communicati ...
, alongside the main broadcast. Funday Football returned for 2024, this time being centered around ''The Simpsons''. Presented during the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals season, Cincinnati Bengals-2024 Dallas Cowboys season, Dallas Cowboys Monday Night Football game on December 9, the broadcast called ''The Simpsons Funday Football'' featured an animated Atoms Stadium in Springfield, with all Bengals and Cowboys players being animated, and was centered around two of the show's main characters: Bart Simpson (voiced by Nancy Cartwright) and Homer Simpson (voiced by Dan Castellaneta). ESPN's Drew Carter (sportscaster), Drew Carter returned to call Funday Football, this time being joined by NFL Live's Dan Orlovsky and Mina Kimes, with Lisa Simpson (voiced by Yeardley Smith) and Marge Simpson (voiced by Julie Kavner) roaming the sidelines and interviewing players during the game. Hank Azaria will also contribute and voice other Simpsons characters. Airing alongside the main broadcast on ESPN and ABC, as well as the Manningcast on ESPN2, this broadcast aired on
Disney+ The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
and
ESPN+ ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communicati ...
, with the latter simulcasting all broadcasts. The special also aired on NFL Network on December 10, and on Disney Channel, Disney XD and FX (TV channel), FX on December 11, FXX on December 13, and will be broadcast (live or taped) in more than 145 countries.


2024 Monday Night Super Wild Card Game: Eagles vs. Buccaneers

For the third consecutive year, ESPN and ABC aired a Monday Night Super Wild Card Game and Megacast it across different Disney platforms. This year’s Megacast between the Eagles and Buccaneers went as follows: * ESPN and ABC once again simulcast the game with the regular MNF team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge, and John Parry calling the game from Tampa. *ESPN2 aired a special playoff edition of the "ManningCast", hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, live from their homes. *ESPN Deportes aired the game in Spanish. All broadcasts were available on ESPN+, via the ESPN app, and NFL+.


2025 Monday Night Wild Card Game: Vikings vs. Rams

Once again, ESPN and ABC's presentation of the Monday Night Wild Card Game (the NFL retired the "Super Wild Card" branding) aired across multiple Disney platforms. This year’s Megacast between the Vikings and Rams went as follows: * ESPN and ABC once again simulcast the game with the regular MNF team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge, and Russell Yurk calling the game from Inglewood. *ESPN2 aired a special playoff edition of the "ManningCast", hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, with an appearance from Bill Belichick, live from their homes. *ESPN Deportes aired the game in Spanish. All broadcasts were available on ESPN+, via the ESPN app,
Disney+ The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
, for the first time, and NFL+.


Future NFL Megacasts

To go along with ESPN's new deal with the NFL, the network can give some games the Megacast treatment, as the new deal will allow expanded rights for interactivity and alternate broadcasts. For example, these Megacasts can happen for the Super Bowl, which ABC will air.


ESPN FC Megacasts


2017 Copa del Rey Semifinals and Final

From 2017 onwards, the enhanced Megacast feeds will be expanded to ESPN FC-branded broadcasts, starting with the 2016–17 Copa del Rey, Copa del Rey Semifinals and the Final.


MLB Megacasts


MLB StatCast

With Major League Baseball partnering with at first Amazon Web Services, later Google Cloud Platform, Google Cloud to provide "next-gen stats", similar to the NFL's Next-Gen Stats program, ESPN teams up with MLB to air a Statcast broadcast for select MLB telecasts including Sunday Night Baseball, the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, and the Major League Baseball Wild Card Game. These telecasts usually air on ESPN2. A revamped version of StatCast was launched during the 2024 season to replace the KayRod Cast.


KayRod Cast

In 2022, ESPN debuted the “KayRod Cast”, an alternate broadcast for ''Sunday Night Baseball'' with a similar approach to the “ManningCast”. This altcast featured Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay (sports broadcaster), Michael Kay and former Yankee Alex Rodriguez, providing their own commentary, while also integrating fantasy baseball stats, analytical predictions, and special guests throughout the game. There were eight presentations of this MegaCast, with both men appearing from ESPN’s Seaport District studios. The KayRod cast ended after the 2023 season when Rodriguez signed an exclusive deal with MLB on Fox, Fox Sports.


MLB-Little League Classic KidsCast

For the 2021 MLB Little League Classic, the KidsCast was used for a game on August 24 at 7:30 ET. The KidsCast consists of kids selected from the Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp calling the game on ESPN2. The KidsCast for the MLB Little League Classic returned for 2022, 2023, and 2024 as well.


NHL Megacasts

On March 10, 2021, ESPN announced a seven-year agreement with the National Hockey League to serve as one of its two rightsholders; ESPN networks will hold rights to the Stanley Cup Finals for four out of the next seven seasons, which will be aired on ABC exclusively. ESPN stated that the agreement would include the ability to air Megacast coverage with alternate feeds, as well as simulcast the games on ESPN+.


Star Watch

To coincide with the first meeting of the 2021-22 season between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, on December 10, ESPN broke out the Megacast for the first time during the 2021-22 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Penguins-2021-22 Washington Capitals season, Capitals matchup, with a “Star Watch” broadcast, featuring isolated cameras and individual stats on Crosby and Ovechkin. Both the game, and the Star Watch broadcast, were available on ESPN+, with the game also being simulcast on Hulu. The Star Watch returned for the 2022-23 NHL season, 2022-23 season with select games having this alternate broadcast throughout the season.


IceCast

For the remainder of NHL on ABC, ABC’s NHL schedule for the 2021-22 season, ESPN broke the Megacast seal for those games. Beginning with the Rangers-Penguins matchup, ESPN produced a separate “IceCast”, which allowed fans to see how plays develop from above the ice. Unlike previous Megacasts where a different set of announcers call the action, ESPN takes the game feed from ABC and applies it to the IceCast. Like the Star Watch broadcast, back in December, these live broadcasts, along with the ABC telecast, were available on ESPN+. The IceCast returned during ESPN’s coverage of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, and then for ABC’s coverage of the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, marking the first ever alternate broadcast for a Stanley Cup Finals.


All-12

In a similar approach to the “All-22” alternate broadcast shown during college football games, ESPN experimented with an “All-12” broadcast during the 2023 NHL Stadium Series game on February 18 between the 2022-23 Washington Capitals season, Washington Capitals and the 2022-23 Carolina Hurricanes season, Carolina Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State Wolfpack football, NC State Wolfpack, which is located directly next door to the Hurricanes’ home arena, PNC Arena. This broadcast, focusing on all 12 players featured on the ice during the game, was broadcast on ESPN+, along with the traditional ABC broadcast.


Puck Possessor

In a similar approach to the FoxTrax glowing puck from the ‘90s, ESPN produced a “Puck Possessor” visual identifier altcast for select ABC games. This broadcast, that takes the main feed and focuses on who has the puck during games, is broadcast on ESPN+, along with the traditional ABC broadcast.


NHL Big City Greens Classic

In a similar approach to NFL on Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon’s NFL broadcasts with the NFL and NFL on CBS, CBS Sports, ESPN presented a kid-friendly alternate animated broadcast of the March 14th game between the 2022-23 Washington Capitals season, Washington Capitals and the 2022-23 New York Rangers season, New York Rangers, focused on the hit Disney Channel show Big City Greens. Dubbed the “NHL Big City Greens Classic”, this broadcast, which animated every player on a rink in the middle of Big City, and was called by ESPN’s Drew Carter (sportscaster), Drew Carter and Kevin Weekes. Big City Greens cast members also chimed in throughout the broadcast. This broadcast was simulcast across Disney Channel, Disney XD,
Disney+ The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
, and ESPN+, who also simulcast the traditional ESPN broadcast. This was the first ever live sports broadcast for both Disney Channel and Disney+, while this was the first live sports broadcast, other than the Pro Bowl Games, to air on Disney XD. ESPN brought back the ''NHL Big City Greens Classic'' for the March 9, 2024 broadcast of that day's Pittsburgh Penguins-Boston Bruins game, the back half of an NHL on ABC, ABC Hockey Saturday doubleheader. Like the Capitals-Rangers game from a year prior, this broadcast was simulcast on Disney Channel, Disney XD,
Disney+ The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
and
ESPN+ ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communicati ...
, and featured the same real-time 3D animated perspective based on ''Big City Greens''. Carter and Weekes returned to call the game with Arda Ocal joining the duo this year. Cast members from the show chimed in throughout the broadcast as well.


OviCast

In recognition of Alex Ovechkin's chase of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, ESPN put together an "OviCast" alternate viewing option of their remaining games highlighting the 2024-25 Washington Capitals season, Washington Capitals. These altcasts, which feature an isolated camera on Ovechkin and stat boxes showing his game stats and the number of goals he is from the record, began with the Capitals game against the 2024-25 Minnesota Wild season, Minnesota Wild on March 27th, and are available on ESPN+, alongside the main feeds of the Capitals games.


7Innings Live

During the 2021 Women's College World Series, ESPNU aired an alternate broadcast of the Championship Series games with the 7Innings Live crew. This Megacast is unique because each game had a different theme, including a Disney-tourist themed broadcast.


Little League KidsCast

For the 2019 Little League World Series, ESPN produced a special KidsCast version of select games, where kids selected from the Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp, call the action, along with former pitcher Mo'ne Davis. One game aired on ESPN, while one aired on ESPN2.


Golf Megacasts


2022 PGA Championship

For their coverage of the 2022 PGA Championship, ESPN, along with Omaha Productions, as part of the one-year extension of their MNF deal, produced a Manningcast-type alternate broadcast. This broadcast was hosted by Joe Buck, the new voice of Monday Night Football, and ESPN golf analyst Michael Collins, the host of “America’s Caddie” on
ESPN+ ESPN+ is an American over-the-top subscription video streaming service available in the United States, owned by ESPN Inc., which is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communicati ...
. Buck made his official ESPN debut during these broadcasts, which aired during all four days of the PGA. Like the Manningcast, this broadcast featured a wide variety of special guests, including: Buck’s longtime broadcast partner and new MNF analyst Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, Peyton and Eli Manning, Charles Barkley, ESPN NBA analyst
Doris Burke Doris Burke ( Sable) is an American sports announcer and analyst for ''NBA on ESPN'', ''NBA on ABC'', '' College Basketball on ESPN'', and '' College Basketball on ABC'' games. She formerly worked as an analyst for WNBA games on MSG and has wo ...
, and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, all providing commentary and conversation through live play. Each broadcast aired for four hours each day. The first hour every day aired on ESPN, while the last three hours on Thursday and Friday shifted to ESPN2, and to ESPN+ on Saturday and Sunday.


2023 PGA Championship

ESPN, along with Omaha Productions, brought back the PGA Championship alternate broadcast for 2023. However, this time, the alternate broadcast was hosted by Matt Barrie (sportscaster), Matt Barrie while Collins returned. The broadcast was retitled to "PGA Championship with Matty and the Caddie" to reflect the podcast hosted by Barrie and Collins. Like the previous year, the broadcast followed the same format and aired for four hours each day. However, this year, ESPN aired the first two hours on Thursday and Friday, while the last two hours shifted to ESPN2. On Saturday and Sunday, the Matty and the Caddie broadcast aired for one hour on ESPN, then shifted to a separate alternate broadcast hosted by the "fanalysts" of the "No Laying Up" YouTube channel for the remaining three hours on ESPN+.


References


Press Release:ESPN TO PRESENT FULL CIRCLE COVERAGE OF NBA PLAYOFF GAME APRIL 22


* [http://media.espn.com/ESPNToday/2006/Aug_06/cfb_full.htm Press Release:EVERY ESPN OUTLET TO COVER FLORIDA STATE VS. MIAMI SEPTEMBER 4]
Press Release: ESPN FULL CIRCLE PRESENTATION OF FLORIDA – AUBURN OCTOBER 14
{{ESPN original programming 2006 American television series debuts 2007 American television series endings 2014 American television series debuts 2010s American sports television series 2020s American sports television series ESPN Classic original programming ESPN original programming ESPN2 original programming ESPNews original programming ESPNU original programming Simulcasts