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ESPN2 Pulls Frank Marshall’s ‘Rachel, Breathe’ an Hour Before Premiere Over Rights Dispute

Filmmakers now pursue a new debut date following stalled licensing talks with ESPN.

Overview

  • The documentary, which Marshall said faced a last‑minute rights ultimatum, was yanked an hour before its scheduled Sunday premiere on ESPN2.
  • ESPN offered no on‑the‑record explanation, and an ESPN source told Awful Announcing that late‑added terms kept a licensing agreement from being finalized.
  • ESPN2 filled the slot with a re‑air of 26.2 To Life, and listings checked by outlets no longer showed Rachel, Breathe in the schedule.
  • The film chronicles marathoner Rachel Foster, who completed the 2023 Boston Marathon five months after emerging from a coma, and it was planned to align with Boston Marathon coverage.
  • Marshall said the team spent two years making the film and will announce a new premiere once secured, leaving distribution uncertain as talks continue.