X Games Begin In Aspen With New TV Hosts, Coverage Approach

The Winter X Games get underway today at Aspen's Buttermilk Mountain, and ESPN has made several changes to this year's TV presentation. One "major piece" is having former snowboarder Jack Mitrani and Allison Hagendorf as co-hosts. The net is "working with Echo Entertainment to provide 16 hours of live coverage of the four-day event." The telecasts will feature "more athlete profiles and a greater emphasis on the music festival, which features performances by Bassnectar, Anderson .Paak, The Chainsmokers and G-Eazy." ESPN VP/X Games Tim Reed said, "The event itself has grown to be more than just sports" (ASPEN TIMES, 1/26).