If you’ve loved ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 on television, the worldwide leader in sports is hoping you’ll equally enjoy the programming in audio form. The company announced yesterday at a SXSW panel that they intend to launch 30 for 30 Podcasts starting in June. The series will tell original, high-quality sports stories in the likeness of the acclaimed 30 for 30 documentaries, but made exclusively for audio, according to ESPN Media Zone.
Two stories which will be featured in the first season of 30 for 30 Podcasts will be: “Dan and Dave Revisited,” the true story of the massive 1990’s marketing campaign around the world’s two best decathletes, and “On the Ice,” the story of how a group of amateur Brits became the first all-women’s team to make it to the North Pole.
“ESPN Films is continuing to push boundaries in the storytelling space, and we’re excited to further evolve the 30 for 30 brand,” said Libby Geist, vice president and executive producer, ESPN Films and Original Content. “These audio documentaries will break new ground for ESPN while also bringing our signature long-form archival-based approach to the podcasting arena.”
30 for 30 launched in 2009 with 30 one-hour sports documentaries. Since then, ESPN Films has gone on to produce and air more than 100 sports documentaries including the Academy Award-winning documentary “O.J.: Made in America”, a plethora of 90-minute and two-hour films, 30 for 30 Shorts, and spinoffs such as Nine for IX and SEC Storied.
ESPN Audio’s senior vice president Traug Keller added, “Our initial forays into long-form storytelling – Dunkumentaries and Pin Kings – were top quality and smashing successes, thanks to great collaboration across ESPN. There’s no doubt the ESPN Films’ track record augurs well and 30 for 30 Podcasts will be compelling and relevant must-listen content.”
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
