The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has revealed that ESPN and WCVB Channel 5 will serve as the exclusive national and local broadcast partners for the Boston Marathon.

In 2023, WCVB will also provide exclusive year-round coverage for all BAA events including the BAA 5K, BAA 10K, and BAA Half Marathon.

“We’re honoured to partner with ESPN and WCVB Channel 5, respected market leaders who bring a spirit of innovation and thoughtful storytelling that will propel the mission of the BAA and legacy of the world’s oldest annual marathon forward,” said Jack Fleming, acting Chief Executive Officer of the BAA. 

“Both have established a tradition of broadcasting world-class athletic events, and we are excited to build on this tradition together into the future.”

ESPN will broadcast the 127th Boston Marathon, scheduled for 17 April next year, on its flagship channel. Additionally, ESPN will also have coverage of the race within SportsCenter before the live coverage and later in the day, as well as coverage appearing on other ESPN shows and platforms.

Kyle I. Grimes, WCVB Channel 5 President and General Manager, added: “The BAA and the Boston Marathon are esteemed around the world and beloved by our community, and to be launching this exclusive partnership as WCVB marks 50 years in broadcasting and service to the community is especially fitting.

“WCVB has a proud history of covering the market’s marquee events, and the Boston Marathon is the perfect addition to Channel 5’s signature local programming. We also look forward to working with the BAA year-round to highlight their many other athletic events as well as the great work they do in the community.”

The partnership marks the return of the Boston Marathon to both ESPN and WCVB, with ESPN having aired the road race in the early 1980’s and then from 1997-2004. WCVB provided wire-to-wire coverage of the marathon from 1982 through 2006, including the largest Boston Marathon in history.

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