ESPNEWS (pronounced "ESPN News") is an American digital cable and satellite television network that is owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Disney–ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and the Hearst Corporation (which owns the remaining 20%).Known as ESPN3 in its planning stages and proposed as early as 1993, ESPNEWS launched on November 1, 1996 and originally focused on airing sports news, highlights and press conferences.