Longtime ESPN executive vice president, John Walsh, the man who helped build the worldwide's news operation, will retire next month, ending a 26-year run with the company.

Walsh, who joined ESPN in 1988. He helped oversee the launch of ESPN The Magazine and ESPN Radio and has served as executive editor since late 1990.

The veteran was instrumental in developing the many news and information elements within ESPN, including networks and is various new shows. He also helped shape the editorial direction of ESPN.com and its myriad properties.

Walsh was first hired by ESPN as a managing editor, where he was responsible for editorial content of all news and informational programming, most notably SportsCenter.

Tim Baysinger

Mike Rowe's new show set the pace for CNN among the news demo.

With its 9 p.m. premiere on Oct. 8, Somebody’s Gotta Do It averaged 943,00 watchers, according to Nielsen fast nationals data, a total that included 507,000 adults 25 to 54.

That delivery eclipsed the 330,000 of those watchers who checked The Hunt With John Walsh’s during its July debut to stand as the best premiere audience with the demo for one of CNN’s original series.