Best April Ever for ESPN, ESPN2 & ESPNEWS

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS each posted its best April ever, averaging more households on a total-day basis than any previous April.

ESPN averaged 746,000 homes on a 24-hour basis, up 21 percent from April 2007 (617,000) and the most ever for the month. The network was boosted by larger audiences for the NBA playoffs, Major League Baseball and SportsCenter, as well as the addition of The Masters, which provided cable�s most-watched golf telecast in history.

In addition to the record for overall audience, ESPN also set viewership marks in all key male demos (Men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54).

ESPN2 averaged 255,000 homes, its best ever for April and up nine percent from last year (233,000). The network also set marks in Men 18-49 and 25-54. The live weekday morning lineup � ESPN Radio�s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6 � 10 a.m. ET) and FirstTake (10 a.m. � noon) � continues to grow its audience. That six-hour block averaged 201,000 homes, up 41 percent from April a year ago (143,000)

In April, ESPNEWS averaged a record 62,000 homes, up 11 percent from a year ago (56,000). It was the 24th consecutive month of household growth for ESPNEWS. The network debuted in high definition March 30 with a new set, graphics and music.