The annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest will be broadcast on ABC along with ESPN. The simulcast is part of the network’s 24-hour Disney Celebrates America marathon. Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo headline Coney Island’s annual Independence Day spectacle.
What We Know: ESPN holds exclusive live broadcast rights for the 23rd consecutive year. The men’s contest simulcasts on ABC at 12:30 p.m. ET as part of Disney Celebrates America, with ESPN2 coverage starting at Noon ET. Women’s competition coverage begins at 10:45 a.m. ET on ESPN+/ESPN App. This marks a significant milestone — ESPN’s longest-running annual event partnership of its kind.
What They Said: George Shea, Chair of Major League Eating: “The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest stands as an enduring beacon of freedom for our nation and the world, and we look forward to watching the greatest eaters compete once again on the most celebrated stage in international sports.”
ESPN Host Jeremy Schaap: “There is no event on the calendar that better captures the spirit of America than the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. There is nowhere I would rather be than the corner of Surf and Stillwell on our nation’s 250th anniversary. If the founding fathers were still alive, I am certain they would want to be with us at Nathan’s on the Fourth of July.”
What Remains Unclear: Whether Chestnut can surpass his own world record of 76 hot dogs set in 2021 remains the biggest question. Similarly, Sudo will attempt to top her 2024 record of 51 hot dogs. Meanwhile, how SEC Network analyst Marion Crowder — making her contest debut — will settle into the broadcast booth alongside veterans Schaap and Rich Shea is worth watching.
What It Means: This is bigger than hot dogs. The ABC simulcast elevates the contest’s cultural footprint considerably. Furthermore, Chestnut chasing title number 18 and Sudo pursuing her 12th belt gives the broadcast genuine championship stakes. In addition, adding isolation cameras on both competitors is a plus. ESPN is clearly treating this like the marquee live event it has always been.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
