ESPN has launched the first phase of what it describes as a nationwide local podcasting network.

For the first time, local ESPN Radio programs like Pittsburgh’s Mark Madden Show, New York‘s Michael Kay Show, and Los Angeles‘ The Big Show with Mason and Ireland, as well as other select ESPN radio affiliate shows, are now available to download or listen to online via ESPN Podcenter.

Additionally, ESPN will debut a new ESPNdeportes.com PodCenter next week, dedicated to providing Spanish-language downloadable digital audio content.

Radio shows previously heard only locally in New York, Pittsburgh and Chicago are now available for fans nationwide to download, with local ESPN Radio shows from Los Angeles and Dallas joining the ESPN podcasting lineup by the end of November. According to ESPN, this marks a first step in a long-term effort to create an ESPN local podcast network.

Local market ESPN Radio shows available for download currently or in the near future include:

• New York 1050 WEPN – The Stephen A. Smith Show and The Michael Kay Show
• Los Angeles 710 KSPN The Big Show with Mason & Ireland
• Chicago 1000 WMVP Salisbury & Rosenbloom and Mac, Jurko & Harry
• Dallas 103.3 KESN Galloway and Company
• Pittsburgh 1250 WEAE Mark Madden and The Junker & Crow Show

“Sports is both national and local in its appeal, and by creating this local podcasting network we enhance our multimedia offerings, serve local fans in great sports towns, and open up these outstanding local shows to a national audience” said Marc Horine, general manager of new media, ESPN Radio. “As the industry leader, we made an early and extensive commitment to digital audio media and will continue to expand upon that commitment and drive industry advancement.“

ESPN plans to develop a wider network of local podcast offerings in the future, with Boston, Cleveland, Phoenix and Milwaukee as potential markets in the near future.

PodCenter En Espanol

ESPNdeportes.com also debuted a new PodCenter this week, dedicated to providing material derived from its Spanish-language radio properties. Podcasts available are centered around popular programs from ESPN Deportes Radio in the United States, ESPN Radio F??rmula in Mexico and ESPN Radio en Rivadavia from Argentina, and will include content from the Jorge Ramos y su banda show, ESPN Radio en Rivadavia‘s Oral Deportiva, ESPN Deportes Radio SportsCenter, athlete interviews, and more. The ESPNdeportes.com PodCenter is designed to provide a digital online destination for the millions of U.S. and international fans that listen to ESPN‘s Spanish-language radio programming and demonstrates ESPN‘s expanding international programming.

Additionally, ESPNdeportes.com provides a live, 24/7 live online stream of ESPN Deportes Radio.