Part 5/10:
The launch of ESPN Radio and ESPN 2, alongside innovative programs like This is Sports Center commercials, helped further its reach. By the mid-'90s, ESPN had become the most popular cable network in America, overtaking giants like CNN and MTV.
The Shift: Adapting to an Evolving Landscape
As the internet began to infiltrate everyday life, ESPN found itself at a crossroads. The early 2000s saw the network expand into original programming genres beyond traditional sports shows. Despite producing a vast array of content, much of it lacked relevance and was canceled shortly after launch. Yet, programs like Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption gained popularity and became defining elements of the ESPN brand.