Programming Coordinator, Content Rights Management

This Programming Coordinator, Content Rights Management position supports ESPN’s Content Rights Management (CRM) – a subdivision within Content Scheduling & Strategy of the Programming and Acquisitions Department.  CRM provides support to Programming, Legal, Business Affairs, Production, Communications and the Affiliate Sales divisions of ESPN.  The Programming Coordinator is expected to perform multiple clearance and analytical tasks to support ESPN’s programming and production efforts primarily focusing on: 1) providing rights and clearance assistance on restricted content and for major ESPN programming initiatives; 2) performing data capture of ESPN’s programming rights, programming library and footage rights; 3) coordinating with and advising ESPN business units in the manners in which ESPN programming content can be exploited and repurposed; 4) serving as a clearinghouse for internal and external footage-usage and related inquiries.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with Manager, Content Rights and members of ESPN Programming & Legal Departments to address an array of clearance issues related to Internal ESPN and Intra-Disney Productions (including TV programs, feature films, documentaries, podcasts, digital features, ESPN Original Content productions, etc.)
• Assist with the management of the database (NCS, Rightsline, etc.) of all proprietary rights associated with ESPN content
• Develop and distribute, both internal and external, highlight rights advisories for selected domestic and international sports
• Assist the Content Rights Management team as needed with major clearance efforts related to new platforms, large-scale content reviews, intra-Disney promotional requests or large-scale productions such as the ESPYs
• Respond to requests for clearance of, or information about, rights-restricted content
• Assist in the support of the company’s anti-piracy efforts
• Assist with ad-hoc projects such as retransmission royalty reviews
• Develop an understanding of ESPN’s programming schedules, ESPN TV and digital programming and content services, ESPN production procedures, and ESPN programming & acquisition strategy

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Detail oriented
• Proficient computer skills with an emphasis on rights management database systems and collaborative working tools such as SharePoint, Smartsheet, Microsoft Office suite
• General knowledge of the sports media industry
• Strong communication skills
• Must be highly organized, efficient, self-motived and able to prioritize and work on multiple tasks at the same time

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong overall sports knowledge
• Knowledge of NCS/CS system a plus
• General familiarity with reading and comprehending legal contracts
• General familiarity with media and footage rights
• Work experience in the sports media industry, television programming and/or college athletics.

Required Education/Experience:

• College degree preferred, or
• a minimum of three years of related work experience dealing with legal, database management and/or footage licensing/clearances.

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