ESPN today will hold its annual upfront in N.Y., which will be hosted by the net's Sage Steele and Mike Greenberg. Several social media-related initiatives are among the planned announcements, including a "strategic collaboration" with Twitter to offer interactive programming around major sporting events, beginning with next month's NBA Finals. ESPN is also bringing back the "30 For 30" documentary series, with a "Vol. II" slated to begin in October. The "30 For 30" revival will be directly integrated with Grantland.com, where a series of related digital shorts will run on the site. "30 For 30 Shorts" debuts today with a film about Pete Rose. Grantland.com will also have its own YouTube channel debuting this summer.
On the radio front, ESPN is releasing a new mobile app for iOS devices and the Android and Windows 7 platforms. The free version of the new ESPN Radio app features podcasts and “SportsCenter” updates, while a full $4.99 version features live audio. Meanwhile, Scott Van Pelt, one of ESPN's notable talent free agents, has reached a verbal agreement to remain with the network. "Feel very fortunate to have gone through the process, but glad it's over," Van Pelt tweeted last night. "Ultimately, ESPN is my home."
