In 1996 the Walt Disney Company acquired abc , with ESPN as its most profitable property .
Using the lesser - rated NHL games as the programming centerpiece , ESPN launched an alternative channel - ESPN2 - in 1993 .
In 1996 the Walt Disney Company acquired abc , with ESPN as ESPN 's most profitable property .
Using the lesser - rated NHL games as the programming centerpiece , ESPN launched an alternative channel - ESPN2 - in 1993 .