Take a walk down memory lane with ESPN Classic, Canada’s only 24-hour sports network exclusively dedicated to revisiting the most memorable moments in sports history. From Wayne Gretzky’s first NHL goal to Joe Montana’s final touchdown pass, ESPN Classic takes fans back in time to relive the greatest triumphs, comebacks, upsets and achievements from across the sports spectrum.
ESPN Classic’s broadcast schedule is designed to coincide with the biggest events on the sports calendar. Leading up to major sports events, viewers will see specialized theme weeks and weekends that showcase classic moments from that event’s history. ESPN Classic’s theme week and weekend broadcast schedule for 2005/06 is as follows:
PGA Championship Week (August 8 to 10, 2005)
Leading up to the final Major of the golf season, ESPN Classic reminisces on past PGA Championship tourneys by showcasing some of the greatest drives, putts, players and rounds from the 87-year-old event.
U.S. Open Tennis Weekend (August 27 and 28, 2005)
As the summer winds down, the tennis action heats up with the final Grand Slam event of the tennis season – the prestigious U.S. Open – from the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing N.Y. ESPN Classic primes fans for this year’s event with a look back at classic Men’s and Women’s matches from as early as 1974 with such favourites as Sampras, McEnroe, Navratilova, Edberg, Graff and Seles.
Classic Formula one (September/October 2005)
ESPN Classic is proud to be the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of classic Formula one Auto Racing. ESPN Classic puts viewers in the driver’s seat for vintage Formula one moments every Friday night leading up to the biggest races on the circuit. The complete Classic Formula one broadcast schedule is as follows:
- Italian Grand Prix classics – Friday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. ET
- Belgian Grand Prix classics – Friday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. ET
- Brazilian Grand Prix classics – Friday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. ET
- Japanese Grand Prix classics – Friday, Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. ET
- Chinese Grand Prix classics – Friday, Oct. 14 at 11 p.m. ET
Nickname Weekend (October 2005)
The Rocket, The Rat, Cujo and The Cat – some of the biggest names in sport have been awarded a moniker at some point in their careers. In October, ESPN Classic dedicates an entire weekend of programming to this rarely explored sports phenomenon with Nickname Weekend, celebrating the best, worst and most comical handles in sports history.
Grey Cup Week (November 14 to 19, 2005)
The Grey Cup. It’s one of the biggest events on the Canadian sports calendar and has been a national tradition for nearly a century. Leading up to this year’s season-ending tilt, ESPN Classic presents Grey Cup Week from November 14 to 19 – a tribute to the greatest heroes, memories and moments in Grey Cup history.
World Junior Hockey Championship Week (December 19 to 24, 2005)
Fans looking for an early holiday treat can tune in to ESPN Classic from December 19 to 24 for classic World Junior games from the past four decades. Each day, a different game featuring a monumental Team Canada moment will hit the air.
Super Bowl Week (January 2006)
ESPN Classic’s annual NFL tradition continues in January with Super Bowl Week. Throughout the week, fans are invited to revisit the rich history of the Super Bowl with classic match-ups leading up to the 2006 battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
No Love Lost Weekend (February 11 and 12, 2006)
Forget Valentine’s Day. It’s time to celebrate the bitter feuds that have given fans some of the most intense moments in sports history. on February 11 and 12, ESPN Classic presents No Love Lost Weekend, offering fans a rare chance to rekindle the rivalries.
Comeback Weekend (March 18 and 19, 2006)
ESPN Classic dedicates an entire weekend to some of the most unforgettable comebacks from the world of sports with Comeback Weekend on March 18 and 19.
Masters Week (April 3 to 5, 2006)
Masters Week tees off on ESPN Classic in April, preparing viewers for one of golf’s most prestigious events – The Masters. The theme week offers fans a look back at the greatest moments to ever grace the greens of Augusta National Golf Course with such greats as Nicklaus, Woods, Norman, O’Meara and Canadian golden boy Mike Weir.
Wrestlemania Sunday (April 2006)
ESPN Classic gets viewers pumped up for the pinnacle of the WWE schedule with Wrestlemania Sunday in April. The lineup consists of half-hour episodes of TSN’s sports debate program Off the Record, each featuring a one-on-one interview with a high-profile WWE superstar.
Faux Pas Weekend (May 20 and 21, 2006)
Bad taste, bad uniforms, bad attitudes. ESPN Classic forgets the good and focuses on the bad and ugly in sports with Faux Pas Weekend on May 20 and 21.
In addition to its special theme weeks and weekends, ESPN Classic has all the bases covered with “theme nights” dedicated to specific sports: Monday – NFL football and hockey; Tuesday – CFL football and golf; Wednesday – wrestling and boxing; Thursday – basketball; Friday – ‘Pub Night’ (billiards and poker) and auto racing; Saturday – sports documentaries; Sunday – tennis and figure skating.