ESPN Entering Second Year In U.K. Market

One year into its foray into the U.K. market, ESPN is going “full steam ahead” into the region. George Bodenheimer tells the GUARDIAN that he wants to be the “sports network that is authentic … and is doing a great job in its market.” The net has worked its way "seamlessly into the sports broadcasting landscape with a minimum of fuss," including hiring local on-air talent. ESPN made a big splash with rights to 46 EPL matches last year, but could face some challenges in Year Two, as that amount has been cut in half. Sources say the reduction of EPL games has had little impact on ESPN’s subscriber base, though Bodenheimer does admit that you “want to be associated with the Premier League if you’re going to be a successful player in the U.K.”