MLB: ESPN offers Star Wars-themed broadcast for New York Yankees - Houston Astros game (04/05/2021)

US pay-TV bouquet ESPN offered a Star Wars-themed broadcast of the New York Yankees - Houston Astros (7-3) MLB game on its ESPN channel on Tuesday, 04/05/2021 (start at 19:30 US East Coast Time, 01:30 CET D+1).

"The Star Wars-themed broadcast is in celebration of 'May 4^th' (Star Wars Day initiated by fans of the saga), and will feature ESPN commentators dressed in full costume as Star Wars characters, plus custom on-screen animations," said the pay-TV group ahead of the game on 03/05/2021.

No traditional broadcast was planned on other linear channels or on ESPN's OTT platform. The American group had previously offered an alternative Marvel-themed broadcast of an NBA game, on 03/05/2021 (see below).

• The Walt Disney Company, parent company of ESPN, owns the rights to the Star Wars and Marvel film franchises.

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