ESPN Announces '03 Launch Of On-Demand Extreme Channel

ESPN said that it will launch "EXPN, Action Sports On Demand" next February, according to MULTICHANNEL NEWSDAY. The service, which will be "offered on-demand and via high-speed cable-modem connections," will feature programming from ESPN's X Games property, "as well as its action sports library." Cable operators can offer the service as "either an Internet-based network, or a subscription-based VOD service." ESPN Exec VP Sean Bratches said that the service "could sell for $3.95, although no price point has been established." Operators and ESPN would "evenly split revenues" generated from the service. Consumers accessing the channel would get "daily updated content with video highlights and long-form content on-demand" (MND, 4/25).

PEOPLE MUST LIKE WATCHING PAINT DRY: For 17 hours of NFL Draft coverage last Saturday and Sunday, ESPN earned a 2.9 Nielsen cable rating, a 7% increase from last year, and ESPN2 got a 1.2, a 20% gain. ESPN featured 11 hours of coverage, while ESPN2 had six (MND, 4/25).