Documentary "Rachel, Breathe" Pulled from ESPN2 Schedule

The documentary film "Rachel, Breathe" was removed from the ESPN2 broadcast schedule shortly before its planned premiere on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

What Happened

According to director and producer Frank Marshall, the removal followed several days of negotiations over the rights to the project. Sources indicate the licensing agreement was not finalized in time for the scheduled airing, and discussions reportedly continued after the missed broadcast.

Frank Marshall posted on social media that ESPN lawyers stopped negotiations an hour before the broadcast and presented an ultimatum to sign an agreement immediately or have the show pulled.

Sources offered a different perspective, stating that late in the discussions, additional terms were introduced that required further business and legal review, which could not be completed before the premiere time.

About the Film

The documentary is an exploration of marathoner Rachel Foster, who completed the 2023 Boston Marathon just five months after emerging from a coma. The film follows her as she prepares to run the 2025 Boston Marathon.

It was scheduled to premiere at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with a repeat airing planned for April 20. Frank Marshall produced the film along with Aly Parker, Tony Rosenthal, and Joanna Forscher.

Current Status

While the initial broadcast was canceled, an updated listing on YouTube TV showed the documentary scheduled to air at 9:30 a.m. PT on Monday, April 20. Marshall expressed disappointment for the film's subjects and production team following the last-minute schedule change.