'SportsCenter' coming to ESPN America

ESPN has announced that a new edition of its flagship news and highlights show SportsCenter will premiere on ESPN America next month in Europe and the Middle East.

Starting on March 1, the 30-minute programme will run five days a week on ESPN America from 7am GMT, with an updated show being aired each day at 10.30pm GMT.

SportsCenter will round up the latest results and news from major US sporting events, including Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, along with various college sports.

Over its 30-year history, SportsCenter has been aired more times in the US than any other programme, with in excess of 35,000 episodes. ESPN America's edition represents the 13th different flavour of the programme, following syndications in Mexico, Japan, India, Brazil and Australia.

Produced daily from ESPN's headquarters in Connecticut, US, the programme will be hosted by Michael Kim, who has been with ESPN since 1996.

"SportsCenter is such a valued brand and means so much to sports fans in so many parts of the world, that being a part of this newest edition is really a thrill," said Kim, who also previously anchored 24-hour channel ESPNews.

"There is a dedication and passion among fans of US sport throughout Europe and the Middle East. Our show will bring those fans the signature balance of news, great highlights and a personality each day that has been a staple of SportsCenter for decades."

ESPN EMEA vice president of channels Jeroen Oerlemans added: "Almost a year to the day that the channel was rebranded to ESPN America, the introduction of a new unique SportsCenter further demonstrates our commitment to growing North American sport around the world and the company's dedication to fans of US sport in Europe and the Middle East. This is a great addition to the ESPN America schedule and one we have no doubt our viewers will love."