ESPN is the Brazilian division of ESPN Inc.

Launched in March 1989 as Canal+, it was the first country-specific version of 🏀 ESPN outside the United States, launched in June 1995.

The channel has covered major sporting events, like the 1996, 2000, 2004, 🏀 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics; the 1998, 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 1999, 2003 and 🏀 2007 Pan-American Games.

High ratings and prestige in the segment have been marks of the channel; it also won the APCA 🏀 award twice, in 1995 for "Best Sports Programming" and in 1998 for "Best Coverage of the 1998 FIFA World Cup".

Despite 🏀 having a team that's regarded as one of the best in Brazilian sports broadcasting and important broadcasting rights for international 🏀 competitions like La Liga, Premier League and the Bundesliga, major local series rights have historically not been present; the Campeonato 🏀 Brasileiro, Copa do Brasil and the states' championships are held by local Grupo Globo and SporTV.