ESPN

ESPN
A look back
What began as a novel idea -- sports on TV around the clock -- has morphed into a franchise that spans all seasons. ESPN's timeline of growth has mirrored the viewing public's expanding appetite for televised sports.
Sept. 7, 1979: ESPN launches at 7 p.m.
April 30, 1984: ABC completes acquisition of ESPN, bringing the resources of the network to the cable operation.
January 1987: ESPN airs the America's Cup live from Australia to great viewer response.
March 15, 1987: ESPN awarded NFL's first cable contract; begins fall 1987.
Jan. 5, 1989: ESPN, Major League Baseball reach four-year deal to begin in 1990.
April 1, 1995: ESPNET SportsZone (now ESPN.com) launches.
Oct. 1, 1993: ESPN2 launches in 10 million homes. Within eight years, ESPN2 reaches 75 million.
Feb. 8, 1996: The Walt Disney Co. completes acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC Inc., which owns ESPN Inc.
March 11, 1998: ESPN magazine launches
July 11, 1998: First ESPN Zone opens in Baltimore.
Oct. 22, 2001: ESPN announces an 11-year agreement to televise every game of the women's NCAA basketball tournament.
Jan. 22, 2002: ESPN reaches agreement for multimedia NBA coverage, becoming the first network to televise all four major professional sports -- NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA.
Sept. 7, 2004: ESPN marks 25 years on the air.
Source: Washington Post