ESPN launches ESPN JV YouTube channel for young fans
ESPN has launched ESPN JV, a YouTube channel made for kids and younger sports fans.
The channel lives at youtube.com/@ESPNJV, Variety reported on 14 October 2026. ESPN confirmed the launch the same day with a press release titled "ESPN launches 'ESPN JV,' a new YouTube channel for kids," according to ESPN Press Room.
The line-up is built around short, participatory viewing. It will include interactive challenges, quizzes that test sports knowledge, and videos revisiting memorable sports moments. ESPN also plans appearances by favourite Disney characters alongside well-known sports figures.
The centrepiece is an original animated programme, "The Sports Explorers." It stars a group billed as the "ESPN Squad" — four characters named Ez, Shay, PJ and Nora. Short episodes follow the squad as they learn about different sports.
"The Sports Explorers" was developed through a creative collaboration between ESPN and WSC Studios, the creative production arm of sports technology company WSC Sports. Celia Bouza, ESPN's vice president of multi-platform video, oversees that part of the business.
ESPN said new videos will be added to ESPN JV regularly. The channel page also lists espnjv.com as its official website and already features a "Sports Explorers" episode centred on the basketball career of LeBron James, according to ESPN JV on YouTube.
For young viewers, this means a low-barrier way in. No subscription is needed, and the format is familiar: cartoons, games and short explainers, all in one free place.
