ESPN Networks to Serve Up Extra Helping of Holiday Joy for Sports Fans This Christmas

ESPN networks are serving up an extra helping of holiday joy for the sports fan on Christmas with a variety of backdrops for your holiday gathering. ESPN Films' third annual 30 FOR 30 Christmas Marathon returns with 24 straight hours of captivating sports documentaries on ESPN2, SEC Network brings back the sports fans yule log alternative with school fight songs, ESPNU debuts a new holiday tradition of Mike Golic Jr. eating Christmas cookies and Longhorn Network goes to BEVO's Home for the Holidays.

In addition to the holiday themed programming, ABC and ESPN continue their Christmas tradition of NBA ACTION on Sunday, Dec. 25, with five games highlighted by a rematch of the most-watched NBA FINALS in ABC history - the Golden State Warriors vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Full Details) Also, ESPNU and ESPN2 are slated to air college basketball action with four Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic games, including the Championship game at 8 p.m. (Full Schedule) while E60: Stories of the Year airs Christmas Eve (ESPN, 5 p.m.) and E:60 Pictures: Life as Matt (preview) airs Christmas Day (ESPN, 5:30 p.m.)

ESPNU: Mike Golic Jr. Eats Christmas Cookies

Like many Americans, ESPN analyst Mike Golic Jr. loves COLLEGE FOOTBALL and also loves Christmas cookies. On Christmas morning, let ESPNU's cozy holiday studio light up your living room with an enchanting fireplace, excessive tinsel and an uninterrupted telecast of Golic Jr, in his holiday pajamas, eating cookies. A Very Golic Christmas is on from 7-8 a.m. ET.

Longhorn Network: BEVO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

BEVO XV makes his holiday debut in what has quickly become a Texas tradition on Longhorn Network, BEVO Home for the Holidays. Fresh off his first football season as the official living mascot, BEVO XV welcomes fans on Christmas morning to his idyllic ranch, sure to make any Texas fan feel at home. The southwest setting airs without commercial interruption beginning at 9 a.m. ET and is set to holiday music as well as an original song by Lifetime Longhorn Jordan Shipley.

"Everything's bigger in Texas and BEVO Home for the Holidays is the Texas-sized version of the TV yulelog, bringing a picturesque setting in a Slow TV format that delights without distracting," said Stacie McCollum, ESPN college networks. "BEVO XV has earned a special place in Texas fans' hearts since he was introduced this fall and many fans see UT and the longhorn as an extension of their family. We consider it an honor to bring BEVO to their home for the holidays."

2016 marks the third year, LHN has aired a "slow TV" production (a relatively new genre of television coverage that captures an ordinary event in its typical length; the name is derived from the lengthy nature of the telecast and natural slow pace of the show) of BEVO as he is fed, groomed by his owners and plays with bovine friends on the ranch.

30 for 30: Christmas Marathon Begins December 24 on ESPN2

ESPN Films' third annual 30 FOR 30 Christmas Marathon is back this year with 24 straight hours of captivating sports documentaries on ESPN2. The marathon will begin at 1 p.m. ET on Sat, Dec. 24, with "Fantastic Lies," and continue through Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day, ending with "Believeland" at 11:30 a.m. on the 25th.

(Image courtesy of ESPN)

Full 30 FOR 30 Christmas Marathon schedule (all on ESPN2):

Date	Time (ET)	Film
Sat, Dec 24	1 p.m.	"Fantastic Lies"
	3 p.m.	"Doc & Darryl"
	4:30 p.m.	"Brothers in Exile"
	6 p.m.	"Survive and Advance"
	8 p.m.	"Phi Slama Jama"
	9:30 p.m.	"Hit It Hard"
	10:30 p.m.	"Benji"
Sun, Dec 25	12 a.m.	"Catholics vs. Convicts"
	2 a.m.	"Into the Wind"
	3 a.m.	"Free Spirits"
	4 a.m.	"Tim Richmond: To The Limit"
	5 a.m.	"Muhammad and Larry"
	6 a.m.	"Once Brothers"
	7:30 a.m.	"'85 Bears"
	9:30 a.m	"Four Falls of Buffalo"
	11:30 a.m.	"Believeland"

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