ESPN today launched a set of free, downloadable video podcasts available daily.

The first video podcast offerings include:

• a downloadable version of the popular ESPN.com SportsCenter Minute;
• the “Big Finish” from ESPN‚Äôs Pardon The Interruption (PTI);
• the “First Word” segment from ESPN‚Äôs Around The Horn;
• ESPN Digital Media‚Äôs “Fantasy Focus” daily original fantasy sports news and analysis program (also available daily on ESPN.com and ESPN Mobile TV); and
• the “Mike & Mike Moment” from the popular morning radio and television program.

Each podcast is between two and seven minutes in length, in MPEG-4 format, and can be watched on fans’ computers or on portable digital devices.

“Sports fans want their video everywhere they are and on any device,” said John Kosner, senior vice president, ESPN New Media. “Through downloadable video, online video at ESPN.com and on your phone, plus live and on-demand events on ESPN360.com, we continue to bring fans the very best content in sports.”

Details are available at the ESPN PodCenter.

Since beginning its first audio podcast in July 2005, ESPN has expanded to produce more than 30 original and edited podcasts that account for more than four million downloads each month by more than one million unique users on ESPN’s PodCenter and the iTunes Store. As further testament to the popularity of ESPN podcasts, earlier this year AndoMedia Web Metrics reported that, from January 11 through March 29, the total amount of time sports fans spent listening to ESPN podcasts equaled 24 years, 308 days and 19 hours.

Like ESPN audio podcasts, ESPN video podcasts will be ad-supported. Since the launch of audio podcasts, advertising for ESPN audio podcasts has grown by more than 200%, driven by sponsorship and advertising from major marketers including: OnStar by GM, AT&T, AutoZone, Nivea For Men, Lamisil AT, Progressive Auto Insurance and Dick’s Sporting Goods.