ESPN First Days on Air -- 1979

Pure history this, with a fascinating look back at the first broadcast on ESPN (Entertainment Sports Programming Network) in 1979 with Jim Simpson in Bristol, Connecticut explaining the brand new sports network and how satellite/cable TV works. With little cable penetration at the time, ESPN was mostly seen in just hotels and bars.

[@batmandestroys1978]

RIP James Shores Simpson ( Born on December 20, 1927 - Died on January 13, 2016) Great presenter!

[@iVenge]

Back when men were men, and not “bros”.

[@shackdaddy7106]

Jim Simpson was probably the most well-known announcer that ESPN had at the very start. Because of his years at NBC being the number two announcer on AFL/AFC games behind Curt Gowdy. And also being the number two announcer on MLB broadcasts of the game of the week every Saturday.

[@rockvilleraven]

He left NBC and WRC 4 in Washington, DC because he wanted to be a pioneer with ESPN.

[@TheVikings1976]

Simpson did a great job on the usfl games he did. Him and Paul McGuire. Great memories.

[@rentslave]

In those days,ESPN was on from 6 PM -6AM. There was an on screen scroll the rest of time,telling of upcoming programs.I have a few minutes of it on VHS.

[@thehaughtcorner]

The brilliance of Jim Simpson on full display here.

[@RafaelSale]

I was 10 when ESPN first appeared. I used to watch it all the time to catch up on the scores during football season. Back when ESPN was an all sports chanel.

[@DerrickLee2023DLA]

Wow! This is rare ESPN material. The ESPN promo music you hear at 8:33 was also used as the closing theme to a SportsCenter broadcast from around 1980-81. I know this, because I remember seeing that broadcast on ESPN Classic years ago when they featured old SportsCenter broadcasts to honor ESPN's anniversary.

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

3:46 - 4:04/ Good Lord, Jim Simpson goes back THAT far? If I'm not mistaken, that dedication he was referring to was for WRC-TV, the D.C. affiliate for NBC. That footage features the oldest color videotape footage of a sitting President!❤

[@user-pu5gj1sw2l]

Jim Simpson was a great announcer.

[@rockvilleraven]

Later did Baltimore Orioles TV play by play for a year.

[@daboys1215]

WOW. This is ancient technology now but back then it was state of the art. This is an awesome look back. It's like unlocking a time capsule.

[@robertdesantis729]

“And now we bring you to billings,Montana for 2 guys throwing a ball back and forth

[@codym8897]

I'm trying to find the launch of ESPN from September 7, 1979. It opens with the legendary Lee Leonard saying, "If you're a fan, what you see in the next minutes, hours, and days to follow may convince you that you've gone to sports heaven!" ESPN was a groundbreaking network when it began, so it would be amazing to have the full launch to see how it's changed over the years. Does anybody have a link?👍

[@nedwart]

Not reading all of that chief

[@ManciniTVClassics]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGHIlWSaoNZ7kLs

[@reedycreekjeemer989]

Wow, codym8897! It is so fantastic to be able to see a reminder/recreation of that opening broadcast. I have looked for years, trying to find footage of at least a part of it. Your post really gives a terrific flavor of what was said and the tone of the day. I know it was a long time ago, but for true sports fans (and cable/broadcast history admirers) your post allows us to kind of jump into the Time Machine and quasi-experience that momentous opening broadcast. Again many thanks…and let’s hope someone has the audio or (dare I dream) the full video broadcast from that opening hour and will be able to find someone who will upload it for all of us to enjoy. Dude, you’re my Hero today!

[@QuadMochaMatti]

@@nedwart Just admit you got kicked out of elementary school.

[@WaltGekko]

Actually, and especially in 1979 you did have cable in quite a few areas, including in Manhattan in New York (though the other boroughs did not get cable until the late 1980's).

[@tomschloesser4787]

Wow! ESPN was actually pretty cool at one time.

[@VBaskin2010]

ESPN Is still going strong after almost 45 years!

[@spman]

They’re certainly going, strong is a matter of opinion

[@mono-no-aware.Lem.]

@@spmanLOL yep they peaked at least 15 years ago

[@joedimaggio3687]

ESPN is not going strong.

[@joedimaggio3687]

ESPN is not going strong.

[@kevins90sc]

Remember as for Programming in the early day's of ESPN i would come Home from work and turn on ESPN they had POLO [horses] on ....well the Sports addict i was ...Learned what a "Chucker" was that night....[other sports have periods or Quarters] Polo has Chuckers....

[@kevins90sc]

Cable was in it's infancy in '79 remember it well My Sonics Just won the NBA Title against the Washington Bullets a year after They lost to the same Bullets.Sonics owner Sam Shullman decided to start the "Sonics Super channel" to capitalize in our success Didn't go well for him but ESPN and Cable was here to stay Good times.

[@MinifigNewsguy]

A chyron and vidifont in one room? That’s funny

[@paulazemeckis7835]

Was this when TBS was on Briarcliff Rd or when it was in the Omni?

[@genegjr]

When ESPN first started was it owned by Capital cities/ABC?😊😮

[@WaltGekko]

No. Getty Oil as I remember owned it originally.

[@UltimateYankeeLoafer]

8:18

[@genegjr]

Now its owned by Disney

[@PaulieDetmurds]

ESPN,.....WAS good.

[@toddm9501]

And now, its's so Woke. Haven't watched in a decade.

[@troyturner173]

Really? Define "Woke" I don't think you can...

[@markd.5471]

What about the 30 for 30 documentaries? You’ve missed some good ones!

[@michaelnelson1128]

If you haven't watched in over a decade how the hell do you know it's woke

[@coronaweeks4577]

Yep and MTV couple years later 1981 and that’s trash now too

[@markroberts9577]

Yeah and that's really very sad