By Ryan Berenz
Follow @ChannelGuideRAB
More than 200 of the world’s best athletes in skateboarding, motocross, BMX and rally car racing compete for medals and prize money in Los Angeles at X Games 17, which begins Thursday, July 28, at 7pm ET on ESPN. New this year is Enduro X, in which motocross riders race against each other while battling an all-terrain course containing sand, mud, logs and rocks. Also new this year, the RallyCross circuit moves to the streets of downtown L.A. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to telecast 25 hours of live X Games 17 competition. The full broadcast schedule, including ESPN3.com, is available here. Press releases from ESPN detailing its broadcast teams and multiplatform content below:
Action Sports Icons Join ESPN for X Games 17 Telecasts
Kevin Robinson Joins Tony Hawk, Jeremy McGrath and Dennis McCoy as Analysts; Sal Masekela to Host
ESPN will feature a roster of action sports stars as commentators during the X Games 17 telecasts, July 28 – 31. X Games 17 will be hosted by Sal Masekela for all 25 hours of live HD coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC. In addition to the nine live competition windows, ESPN anchor Dana Jacobson will return to host X Center nightly on ESPN2. ESPN 3D will telecast 21 hours of X Games 17 live. ESPN3.com will stream 23 hours of live competition and an additional six hours of original X Games content. X Games 17 will also be televised in more than 192 countries and territories to more than 231 million homes.
X Games 17 will mark Masekela’s 10th year as host of the world’s premier action sports event; he has served as the annual host of the X Games and Winter X Games since X Games Seven. In addition to serving as host of X Games 17, Masekela’s responsibilities also include play-by-play for the Skateboard Vert, Park, Street and Big Air events, as well as reporting for SportsCenter.
A prominent collection of action sports legends will join Masekela on the air. Tony Hawk, Jeremy McGrath and Dennis McCoy return to the telecast this year. New additions to the team include Kevin Robinson, Toby Moody and Emile Bouret. Moody will serve as the play-by-play commentator for the Rally Car events while Hawk, McGrath, McCoy, Robinson and Bouret will be analysts for the Skateboard, Moto X, BMX Freestyle and Rally Car competitions.
Tony Hawk has transcended the boundaries of action sports to become one of the most popular athletes in the world. In addition to being the first athlete to land a 900 on a skateboard, Hawk has won 10 X Games gold medals, developed one of the most successful video games in history and built a global action sports brand. Hawk will join Masekela in the booth to call the action for the Skateboard Vert, Big Air, Park and Street competitions.
Jeremy McGrath has won 10 AMA Supercross/Motocross points titles and more than 100 career races. McGrath earned his first X Games medal in 2004 when he took gold in the Step Up competition at X Games 11 and has collected four total X Games medals. McGrath joined the X Games telecast team in 2007 and will serve as a Moto X analyst for X Games 17.
Dennis McCoy is the only BMX rider to compete in every X Games since its inception in 1995. McCoy first started riding in 1980, and he won the overall flatland/ramp title every year from 1986 to 1995 during a span known as “the decade of domination.” McCoy has five X Games BMX medals to his count. One of the biggest influences in the sport of BMX, 2011 marks McCoy’s 26th season as a professional.
Kevin Robinson is one of the best known BMX Vert riders of all time. Famous for the highest air ever achieved on a quarter pipe (27 feet), he now joins the X Games team as a BMX analyst. Robinson has earned nine X Games medals, standing proudly on the X Games podium every year between 2003 and 2009. He is still the only rider to land the elusive double flair.
Toby Moody is one of the most recognized faces and voices in motor racing. With his excitable, quick-fire sports commentary and witty expressions, Moody served for five years as the official voice of the Paris Dakar Rally. He has also served as the play-by-play announcer for the MotoGP series and as a commentator for Eurosport TV and Speed. His vast knowledge of motorsports and undying love for his job has set him apart and continue to make him a mainstay on the air today.
Emile Bouret has more than 25 years of racing experience and 15 years experience designing vehicles in the automotive industry. Bouret has previously worked for many major car manufacturers as a product trainer, demonstration driver and driving instructor. Bouret’s passion for cars will surely be evident in the telecasts. Bouret will join ESPN as an analyst for the Rally Car competitions at X Games 17.
Dana Jacobson, an ESPN anchor since 2002, joined the X Games team in 2006 at X Games 12 as the host of X Center. Jacobson served as an anchor on ESPNEWS and SportsCenter before joining ESPN2’s morning program ESPN First Take as a co-host in 2005. At X Games 17, Jacobson will again host X Center, ESPN2’s nightly highlight show.
A complete roster of X Games 17 play-by-play hosts, analysts, reporters and commentators:
Play-by-Play Hosts, Analysts, Reporters and Commentators
Hosts
● Sal Masekela
● Dana Jacobson
Skateboarding
● Sal Masekela: Play-by-play
● Tony Hawk: Analyst
BMX
● Jim Coleman: Play-by-play
● Dennis McCoy: Analyst
● Kevin Robinson: Analyst
Moto X
● Cameron Steele: Play-by-play
● Jeremy McGrath: Analyst
● Tes Sewell: Analyst
Rally
● Toby Moody: Play-by-play
● Emile Bouret: Analyst
Reporters
● Erin Bates: Moto X
● Jenn Brown: Big Air
● Keir Dillon: Vert
● Chris Pastras: Park/Street
ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC to Distribute 25 Hours of Live X Games 17 Content
X Games Everywhere on July 30 to Provide Wide Offering of Simultaneous Live Content
During X Games 17, fans will be able to consume original X Games content on more platforms than ever before. ESPN will televise 25 hours of live HD programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC, July 28-31. In addition to the nine live competition shows, X Center will air nightly on ESPN2. ESPN 3D will televise 21 hours of X Games 17 live. ESPN3.com will stream 29 total hours, including more than six hours of original X Games content. The event will also be televised in more than 192 countries and territories to more than 232 million homes.
This year, viewers will be able to connect with the X Games in unprecedented ways. Content will be available via television, smartphones, tablets and online through digital and social media platforms. On Saturday, July 30, from 2 – 6 p.m. ET, ESPN will debut X Games Everywhere with unique live content simultaneously projected across every platform and device. The new content initiative will also enhance, add dimension and establish a two-way conversation between ESPN, athletes, fans on-site and those viewing the competition with a companion screen through XGames.com
“The X Games is a truly unique brand that is relevant to a wide audience around the world and especially to youth. Applying our best available screen approach to the production and distribution of X Games content is the perfect way to demonstrate this relevance and provide unique experiences for fans at the event and around the world.“ said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president programming and X Games Franchise. ”Our content strategy around X Games 17 will provide exciting ways for fans to interact with the event, the athletes and sponsors like never before.”
Television
X Games 17 will be hosted by Sal Masekela for all 25 hours of live HD coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC. ESPN anchor Dana Jacobson will return to host X Center nightly on ESPN2. ESPN 3D will telecast 21 hours of X Games 17 live.
A prominent collection of action sports legends will join Masekela on the air. Tony Hawk, Jeremy McGrath and Dennis McCoy return to the telecast this year. New additions to the team include Kevin Robinson, Toby Moody and Emile Bouret. Moody will serve as the play-by-play commentator for the Rally Car events while Hawk, McGrath, McCoy, Robinson and Bouret will be analysts for the Skateboard, Moto X, BMX Freestyle and Rally Car competitions.
Online
- ESPN3.com will carry 29 total hours of coverage, including more than six hours of exclusive coverage. In addition, ESPN3.com will allow users to partake in a live ride-along during Rally Car Racing on Saturday, July 30th with exclusive in car camera coverage.
- XGames.com will provide comprehensive on-site coverage, delivering cross-platform schedule information, instant results, breaking news, event recaps and live commentary with analysis by sport experts during select events. ESPN’s official website of the X Games will also have enterprise feature reporting around the marquee events and athletes of the event, as well as daily full bleed photo galleries shot by the best creative talent in the action sports industry. XGames.com will also feature video from every medal run at the event, along with daily highlight video and behind-the-scenes, high-access original video.
- XGames.com/realstreet will be the on-line home of X Games Real Street. With the return of Real Street, 16 of the world’s best street skateboarders submitted 60-second video parts for a shot at $50,000 and an X Games gold medal. A panel of judges will pick the winning part after the videos air on ABC and ESPN on Saturday, July 30. The top four judges’ picks will also be invited to Los Angeles to compete for another X Games medal and $5,000. The winners will compete in the Game of SK8 competition, airing live on ESPN on Sunday, July 31. But first, fans can vote in a tournament-style bracket for their favorite real street video. The skater who gets the most fan votes wins $10,000. The fan favorite will be announced on the website on Saturday, July 30.
- X Games Everywhere: Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 2-6 p.m. ET
ESPN / ESPN3.com / Mobile TV / Watch ESPN App (2-6 p.m. ET)
- BMX Freestyle Park
- Skateboard Street Women’s
- Rally Car Racing
- Rally In-Car Cameras & Driver Audio (ESPN3.com Exclusive)
ESPN 3D (2-6 p.m. ET)
- BMX Freestyle Park
- Skateboard Street Women’s
- Skateboard Street Men’s
ABC (4-6 p.m. ET)
- Skateboard Real Street
- Skateboard Street Men’s
XGames.com (2-6 p.m. ET)
- X Cast Companion Screen
- X Cast: Hosted by Kier Dillon, X Cast is a live X Games webcast that will be simultaneously streamed during the telecast windows on Saturday, July 30. As increasing numbers of fans now watch live sporting events while concurrently connected to the internet, X Cast will offer viewers a companion screen experience with greater access to what is happening on site and during the event. X Cast will feature compelling, original and unique content, live athlete interviews with viewer’s questions through X Games on Facebook, Twitter, reporters providing behind the scenes pieces and upcoming event previews, head judge commentary and much more. X Cast will be available on Saturday, July 30 from 2-6 p.m. ET on XGames.com.
- Inside X: A five-week webcast, leading up to and during the X Games, will be streamed live on the X Games Facebook page. Inside X will air every Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET from June 28 through August 2. After the kickoff of the X Games, Inside X will transition to daily morning preview and afternoon recap shows that will stream during the event dates.
Brandon Graham, host of ESPN 710 Radio’s Late Night Action, will host the show with help from special athlete guests each week. Inside X will feature previews and recaps of the action with exclusive athlete interviews, behind-the-scenes content, real-time fan interaction and first looks at courses.
- Facebook: Live Inside X webcast including athlete chats, daily preview and recap show, competition highlights, and course overviews. Exclusive video and photo galleries posted daily along with telecast and event information. The X Games Facebook page currently has more than two million fans.
- Twitter: ESPN X Games’ twitter feed will feature instant event updates, breaking news, results, scavenger hunts and a behind the scenes look at the event.
- ESPN.com Page 2: ESPN.com Page 2 will talk about athletes away from the Games, the fans who cheer on their stars, a look at the onsite trade expo and the sights and sounds you will hear during the Games.
- espnW: Throughout the X Games, espnW.com will recap the women’s events and provide interviews and features. Athletes to watch will be highlighted, including profiles of Elissa Steamer (Skate), Marisa Dal Santo (Skate), Alexis Sablone (Skate), Lacey Baker (Skate), Ashley Fiolek (Moto), Sara Price (Moto) and Tara Gieger (Moto).
- ESPNLA.com: The site will feature stories on skating downtown Los Angeles, building the X17 Big Air ramp and what it is like to ride shotgun in an X Games Rally Car. ESPNLA.com will also display a tilt-shift photography wrap-up of the X17 experience.
Mobile
ESPN Mobile TV will carry 23 hours of live coverage, plus four hours of simulcast coverage of X Center. All four X Games 17 late night highlight shows will also be available.
X Games app for iPhone and Android will feature dynamic tools to enhance the X Games experience. The app features include: instant results, live news, full schedules, highlight videos, athlete bios and photo galleries. Fans can download the app for free from the iTunes store and Android market.
ESPN On Demand will have X Games Classix available leading into the new season, and will also make available highlight shows from all four days of the event. ESPN On Demand will also feature “Best of” discipline shows from BMX, Skate and Motor sports.
International
Outside the United States, the X Games will be delivered to more than 232 million homes and will be telecast live to 192 countries and territories, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Israel, Latin America, Mexico, Middle East and New Zealand.
In addition, the event will be syndicated to 41 countries around the world, reaching more than 67 million homes. ESPN will produce 10 one-hour syndication shows for networks to air following the event.
The X Games will also be simulcast on ESPN’s international broadband platforms in 13 countries.
More than 27 hours of live coverage will air on ESPN’s broadband platforms in Australia, Europe and Latin America.
ESPN Deportes will air two live hours of competition coverage and eight total hours of X Games content.
Music
A full X Games music page will be featured on ESPN.com. Fans can access the page by logging on to ESPN.com/music.
The X Games 17 telecast will feature music from LMFAO, Far East Movement Rise Against, Blink 182, Cold War Kids, All American Rejects, 50 Cent, TV On The Radio and many more.
iTunes: iTunes will have a splash page available at www.itunes.com/xgames for everything X Games past and present. Sony & Microsoft will have all daily highlights and discipline highlights from X Games 17 available for purchase.
Photo: Credit: Lars Gange/Shazamm/ESPN Images