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# Entertainment Network ESPN Is Wins The Game With Big Data
- URL: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/entertainment-network-espn-is-wins-the-game-with-big-data/
- Published: 2013-11-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-04T05:45:26.000Z
- Description: ESPN is a channel that focuses heavily on publishing their content across multiple platforms and as such they are deep into big data analytics.
- Author: Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP
- Tags: Big Data

The [Entertainment](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/ai-entertainment-speaker/) and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) is a global cable and satellite television channel based in the United States. It is owned by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and the Hearst Corporation (20%). As of August 2013, [almost](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/23/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-networks-is-in-cable-network-coverage-estimates-as-of-august-2013/199072/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) 98 million American households receive ESPN. Each of these households [pays](http://bambooinnovator.com/2013/08/18/the-global-dominance-of-espn-why-hasnt-anybody-figured-out-how-to-beat-the-worldwide-leader-in-sports/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) $ 5 a month, totaling around $ 6 billion in annual revenue, without even considering advertising. ESPN has an estimated value between $ 40 billion and $ 60 billion and as such is 20 times bigger than the New York Times Company. One of their signature shows, SportsCenter, has already [aired](http://frontrow.espn.go.com/2012/09/meet-sportscenter-theme-composer-colby-the-dadada-dadada-guy/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) over 50.000 times. ESPN is a very big television channel that focuses heavily on publishing their content across multiple platforms and as such they are deep into analytics of vast amounts of data.  
  
According to ESPN, Big Data drives content, so it is no surprise that according to an article on [Adweek](http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/espn-ready-embrace-big-data-147748?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com), ESPN *“faces something of an institutional battle in becoming the worldwide leader in analytics.”* Currently ESPN already employs [over](http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/07/23/espn-hires-nate-silver-but-data-was-already-a-star/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) 50 big data scientists that are continuously working on improving the company’s data usage and one of these employees is Nat Silver.  
  
Beginning of 2013 ESPN [took](http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/07/23/espn-hires-nate-silver-but-data-was-already-a-star/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) over the FiveThirtyEight blog from super data analyst Nat Silver. Nat Silver is American statistician who, among others, correctly predicted the 2008 and 2012 Presidential elections in the USA. Subsequently, ESPN [hired](http://frontrow.espn.go.com/2013/07/nate-silver-renowned-statistician-author-and-founder-of-fivethirtyeight-joins-espn-in-multi-faceted-role/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) Nat Silver *“to extend ESPN’s leadership in using data and analytics in its cross-platform storytelling.”* Although ESPN has massive amounts of data they [do not plan](http://gigaom.com/2013/08/22/nate-silver-expect-long-form-content-not-real-time-analysis-at-espn/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) to use it to run real-time predictions about a game in progress. [Instead](http://gigaom.com/2013/08/22/nate-silver-expect-long-form-content-not-real-time-analysis-at-espn/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) they will focus more on the long-term. As such, [ESPN](http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/07/23/espn-hires-nate-silver-but-data-was-already-a-star/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) will utilize the vast amounts of data they have to maximize the content they've already created. For example, ESPN can adapt its content on the website in real-time to best fit the wishes and needs of their audience.  
  
Although ESPN does not want to give real-time prediction during games they do provide viewers with a lot of statistics. These [statistics](http://sc2links.com/blog/?p=26&ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) are based on historical and present data from major league seasons/events and fans can use these statistics to better manage and predict their fantasy games. The statistics create a rich experience for the fans involved and as such ESPN leverages the big data to create a competitive advantage. This strategy has worked out, because ESPN is the premier source for sports data and information. Central to this [success](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/sports/ncaafootball/to-defend-its-empire-espn-stays-on-offensive.html?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) are two research laboratories that ESPN runs and that focus on mining data, creating graphs and graphics and combine highlights to provide ESPN viewers with all the information they crave for.  
  
ESPN does not want to keep all that data for itself. They have created a [Developer Centre](http://developer.espn.com/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) that is a web resource including several API’s for the purpose give startups the possibility to tap into the vast amount of data and create new mobile apps or websites for sports-minded consumers.  
  
The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network handles vast amounts of data, how much is unclear, but they know how to handle all that data. ESPN uses the data to provide their audience with an experience that leads them to return every time, ensuring a steady annual income of over $ 10 billion.

##### *Image Credit:* [*Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock*](https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Rawpixel.com?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)

## Frequently asked questions

### How does ESPN use big data to improve its content?

ESPN uses big data primarily to maximize the content it has already created rather than to make real-time predictions during games. It adapts content on its website in real-time to fit audience wishes and needs, and provides viewers with statistics based on historical and present data from major league seasons and events, helping fans manage and predict their fantasy games.

[Link to this question](#faq-how-does-espn-use-big-data-to-improve-its-content)

### Why did ESPN hire Nate Silver?

ESPN hired Nate Silver, a statistician known for correctly predicting the 2008 and 2012 US Presidential elections, to extend ESPN's leadership in using data and analytics in its cross-platform storytelling. This came after ESPN took over his FiveThirtyEight blog in early 2013, reinforcing the network's push into advanced sports analytics.

[Link to this question](#faq-why-did-espn-hire-nate-silver)

### Does ESPN use big data for live in-game predictions?

No, although ESPN has massive amounts of data, it does not plan to use it for real-time predictions during a game in progress. Instead, the network focuses on the long-term, leveraging its data to enhance and adapt already-created content and to provide statistics that enrich the fan experience around fantasy games and sports coverage.

[Link to this question](#faq-does-espn-use-big-data-for-live-in-game-predictions)

### What is ESPN's Developer Centre and why does it matter?

ESPN's Developer Centre is a web resource that includes several APIs, created so that startups can tap into ESPN's vast amount of sports data to build new mobile apps or websites for sports-minded consumers. This matters because it extends ESPN's data advantage beyond its own platforms, fostering innovation while reinforcing its position as the premier source for sports data and information.

[Link to this question](#faq-what-is-espn-s-developer-centre-and-why-does-it-matter)