ESPN expands X Games franchise

ESPN has announced a significant milestone in its long-term plans to expand the X Games on a global basis. Beginning in 2013, the broadcaster will produce six world-class X Games events around the world on an annual basis – the existing two in the US in LA and Aspen, and three additonal events outside the US to add to the existing event in Tignes, France. The three additional international events will be selected through a formal bid process in 2012 for a three-year agreement.

According to the company, a total of 130 hours of live TV coverage across the six X Games events on ESPN networks in the US and around the world will be supplemented by coverage on digital platforms, including a year-round action sports website. Each X Games event will take on its own distinguishing characteristics that will set it apart from the others, including introductions of different sports, cultural elements and the locations themselves. In addition, the X Games will continue to showcase and celebrate action sports competition while also highlighting the artistic and social elements inherent in the action sports lifestyle.

“We are incredibly excited to take the X Games to the next level,” said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president, programming and Global X Games. “While we have produced events under the X Games banner outside the US for many years, these four new X Games events will be of the same size and stature as the Los Angeles and Aspen events.

This expansion will be the first of its kind for the franchise in size, scope and scale, but since 1998 the X Games has successfully organized smaller events, qualifiers and demos in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Philippines and Dubai.