ESPN

Sept. 7, 1979 - ESPN launches at 7 p.m. ET.

Sep 7, 1979

ESPN begins distributing programming internationally.

Apr 23, 1983

ESPN awarded NFL's first cable contract; begins fall '87.

Mar 15, 1987

ESPN and Major League Baseball reach a four-year agreement to begin in 1990.

Jan 5, 1989

ESPN Radio launches.

Jan 1, 1992

ESPNET SportsZone (now ESPN.com) launches.

Apr 1, 1995

ESPN2 reaches 75 million homes faster than any other network - 89 months.

Mar 14, 2001

ESPN reaches agreement for multimedia NBA coverage, becoming the first network to televise all four major professional sports-NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA.

Jan 22, 2002

ESPN HD, a high-definition simulcast service of ESPN, launches.

Mar 30, 2003

ESPN2 HD, a high-definition simulcast service of ESPN2, launches.

Jan 6, 2005

ESPNU, a 24-hour network devoted to college sports, launches

Mar 4, 2005

ESPN Acquires Monday Night Football for eight years, beginning in 2006

Apr 18, 2005

ESPN acquires rights for multiple Men's and Women's World Cups.

Nov 2, 2005

ESPN announces eight-year agreement with NASCAR, 2007 - 2014

Dec 7, 2005

ESPN announces eight-year, multi-platform agreement with the Big 12.

Apr 26, 2007

ESPN televises Wichita Falls Rider at Sulphur Springs, 8 p.m.

Sep 11, 2008