ESPN and the American Kennel Club (AKC), the governing body of dog sports, have actually participated in a brand-new, broadened five-year arrangement, restoring ESPN’s media rights for televising of AKC-recognized dog sports occasions.
The arrangement, which continues a relationship that started in 2019, keeps ESPN as the AKC’s unique dog sports media partner in the United States. AKC occasions will be dispersed throughout ESPN’s tv and digital platforms.
ESPN will disperse a minimum of 9 AKC occasions annually under the renewal, starting with the AKC Dexterity Championship Game in February of 2023.
To name a few AKC occasions that will be dispersed on ESPN platforms under the restored arrangement:
- AKC Championship game (conformation)
- AKC Dexterity Premier Cup
- AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup
- AKC Flyball Dog Obstacle
- AKC Fastest Dogs U.S.A.
ESPN and the AKC initially worked together on “ESPN Dog Day” in August of 2019, a live occasion hung on the ESPN school in Bristol, Ct., and telecasted on ESPN.
Prior to the start of the restored arrangement, AKC programs will have a strong existence on ESPN platforms in December and January, highlighted by the AKC Championship game provided by Royal Canin, the biggest dog program in The United States and Canada.
Emphasizes of the program, held Dec. 17-18 in Orlando, Fla., will air in a three-hour unique on Sunday, Jan. 1, at 2 p.m. ET on ABC. The occasion includes more than 5,000 of the world’s leading canine rivals from throughout the nation and around the world as they compete for Best in Program honors and the title of America’s National Champ.
Approaching 2022 AKC programs on ESPN platforms (perpetuity Eastern):
| Dec. 9 | 2 p.m. | AKC Disc Dog Obstacle | ESPN2 |
| Dec. 11 | 10 p.m. | AKC Heroes– 2022 Awards for Canine Quality | ESPN2 |
| Dec. 25 | 2:30 p.m. | AKC Dexterity Pets Invitational | ESPN2 |
| 4:30 p.m. | AKC Disc Dog Obstacle | ESPN2 | |
| Jan. 1, 2023 | 2 p.m. | AKC Championship Game | ABC |
