ESPN Announces Updated Afternoon Slate Set to Debut September 11
ESPN has announced their fall television lineup today, signaling some changes to their afternoon programing block.
What's happening:
- Beginning September 11th, ESPN will showcase a new afternoon programming schedule designed to enhance and evolve the total-day presentation.
- Changes will include the addition of a live SportsCenter from noon to 1 pm ET with High Noon shifting to a 30-minute format at 4 pm. As a result of the modifications, the last edition of SportsNation (which previously aired at 4 pm) will be Friday, August 24th.
- ESPN host Cari Champion will return to SportsCenter, co-anchoring the noon ET “Coast to Coast” edition from Los Angeles, along with Bristol, CT-based anchor David Lloyd. LZ Granderson, who worked on SportsNation with Champion, will continue to co-host a weekday radio program for ESPNLA 710 and contribute to other ESPN shows.
- High Noon, presented from ESPN’s New York Seaport District Studios, features commentary from co-hosts Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre.
- Specifically during the football season, ESPN’s Monday schedule will include an expanded 90-minute SportsCenter leading into additional NFL-focused studio shows and commentary programs.
- While some of the changes will take place in pockets prior to September 11th, due to various live event commitments, the full new weekday schedule won’t debut until September 11th.
- Norby Williamson, ESPN Executive Vice President, Production and Executive Editor: “We really like what we have with Bomani, Pablo, and High Noon. This move will provide a better time slot for High Noon, grouping shows of similar genre in a strong, two-hour block. Additionally, SportsCenter is healthy and thriving. We are excited to return this successful franchise into the noon window.”
- Burke Magnus, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming and Scheduling: “Our research suggests that from a total day perspective, these changes will best serve sports fans and optimize the ESPN schedule.”
- Norby Williamson: “SportsNation has been a staple of our afternoon lineup for years and while we felt it was time for a change, the collection of talented, creative people and content associated with that show has been extremely impressive and groundbreaking in many ways.”
Time (ET) | Show |
Noon-1 p.m. | SportsCenter: Coast to Coast |
1-1:30 p.m. | Outside the Lines |
1:30-3 p.m. | NFL Live |
3-4 p.m. | The Jump |
4-4:30 p.m. | HIGH NOON |
4:30-5 p.m. | Highly Questionable |
5-5:30 p.m. | Around the Horn |
5:30-6 p.m. | PTI |
6-7 p.m. | SportsCenter |
During football season only, the typical Monday ESPN schedule will be:
Time (ET) | Show |
Noon-1:30 p.m. | SportsCenter |
1:30-2:30 p.m. | NFL Primetime |
2:30-4 p.m. | NFL Live |
4-4:30 p.m. | HIGH NOON |
4:30-5 p.m. | Highly Questionable |
5-5:30 p.m. | Around the Horn |
5:30-6 p.m. | PTI |
6-8 p.m. | Monday Night Countdown |