Programming & Acquisition Intern

Job Description

ESPN Programming Intern, Remote, Fall 2026 | ESPN

The Tone:
This is an internship at ESPN, located remotely. ESPN shapes how sports fans experience the biggest moments in sports across every platform, from breaking news and live events to studio shows and original storytelling, reaching millions daily through social media, television, streaming, and digital platforms. This role is crucial for contributing to Programming and Acquisition initiatives, helping to develop content scheduling strategies, engage fans, and maximize audiences across all platforms.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Remote
• Pay: $22.50 hourly
• Team: ESPN Programming department
• Mission: To create, acquire, and schedule premier content that engages fans and maximizes audiences across all platforms.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Contribute to Programming and Acquisition initiatives across ESPN’s professional and collegiate sports categories.
• Develop content scheduling strategies for ESPN across television and digital platforms.
• Plan and schedule sporting events in college sports, professional sports, and digital media.
• Conduct ratings research and inform scheduling decisions across linear television and digital media networks.
• Develop presentations and collaborate with various ESPN departments regarding programming initiatives.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree (senior year preferred), with coursework in Communications, Sports Media, or a related major. Must have a demonstrated understanding of ESPN’s products, platforms, and services, coupled with solid sports knowledge across professional and collegiate leagues.
• Experience: Proven experience working in a professional business or office setting, alongside foundational experience in television programming or production environments.
• Skills: Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to convey information clearly and effectively, detail-oriented self-starter capabilities, and strong collaboration skills.
• Bonus: Awareness and appreciation of pop culture and emerging trends, proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively, foundational knowledge of contract administration processes, and a basic understanding of cross-platform media formats.