ESPN emphasized its talent stable, consistency and strong parent company during its annual upfronts pitch to ad buyers at the Minskoff Theatre, home of Disney’s Lion King musical. Much of the event felt familiar, but it was also the first upfront since president John Skipper abruptly resigned, his place taken by Jimmy…

Disney’s sports channel is expanding the responsibilities of ESPN veteran Connor Schell, naming him EVP Content. As part of his new role he will oversee all of ESPN’s content creation across ESPN's television, digital and print platforms. In his new position, effective immediately, Schell also adds responsibility for…