ESPN has launched ESPN JV, a free YouTube channel for young sports fans with trivia, an animated series called The Sports Explorers, and team-ups with Disney Jr. and MLB.
ESPN is going after its youngest fans yet.
The Disney-owned sports network has officially launched ESPN JV, a free YouTube channel made just for kids, according to StreamTV Insider. JV stands for junior varsity.
The channel quietly went live a few months ago, but ESPN formally introduced it on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
What is ESPN JV?
A kid-friendly sports channel on YouTube. It mixes original videos, athlete stories and interactive games that ask kids to test what they know about sports.
The videos cover a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, soccer, baseball and tennis.
Current shows include Trivia Time and Guess What Happens Next, which let kids play along while they watch.
What is The Sports Explorers?
It’s ESPN JV’s new animated series. The show stars four original characters, nicknamed “The ESPN Squad,” who help young fans learn new games and have fun being a fan.
ESPN Creative Studio created the characters. ESPN developed the series with WSC Sports, a company that makes sports video content.
Is ESPN JV working with Disney Jr.?
Yes. The channel already features collaborations with Disney Jr., Disney Channel animation and MLB Clubhouse, Major League Baseball’s kids channel, according to StreamTV Insider.
ESPN and Disney Jr. have teamed up before on Me & Mickey, which is streaming on Disney+.
Will ESPN JV be on Disney+?
Maybe someday. An ESPN spokesperson didn’t rule it out, saying the company is talking with Disney Jr. and Disney+ about “opportunities to bring sports storytelling and fandom to younger audiences.”
For now, ESPN JV videos are on YouTube, where anyone can watch for free.
Why is ESPN making a kids channel?
To build the next generation of sports fans. “ESPN JV is about creating an exciting entry point into sports,” said Celia Bouza, ESPN’s vice president of multi-platform video.
Putting the videos on YouTube for free also makes them easy for families to find.
Disney already knows kids watch YouTube. Its Disney Jr. channel has ranked No. 1 among traditional media YouTube channels for three months straight, StreamTV Insider reported. In August, it reached 44.9 million unique U.S. viewers.
How big is ESPN JV right now?
Still small. The channel had about 9,000 subscribers at last count, according to StreamTV Insider.
With ESPN now promoting it, and Disney Jr. characters showing up in videos, that number could grow quickly.
Are other sports leagues making kids content?
Yes. Major League Baseball recently expanded its kids-focused Clubhouse content from YouTube to HappyKids, a free streaming service for kids, StreamTV Insider reported.
Other kids channels, like Sesame Street, also rank among the most-watched traditional media channels on YouTube.
Sports leagues and networks want to reach kids early, since kids who love a sport often become lifelong fans.
What else is ESPN doing on streaming?
A lot. In August 2025, ESPN launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service in the ESPN app, which lets fans watch its networks without cable.
ESPN JV goes the other direction. Instead of asking families to pay, it gives kids a free taste of ESPN on the platform they already use most.
How can parents find ESPN JV?
Search for ESPN JV on YouTube. Since it’s a regular YouTube channel, parents may want to set up a supervised account or use the YouTube Kids app settings to manage what younger kids can watch.
It’s also a fun way to share a game day with kids who are just starting to learn the rules.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
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Hat Tips:
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StreamTV Insider, Bevin Fletcher (Oct. 14, 2026), the ESPN JV launch, The Sports Explorers, collaborations, Celia Bouza’s quote, the spokesperson’s comments, subscriber count and Disney Jr. ranking
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