With a new format designed to serve sports fans as they go about their early morning routine, SportsCenter:AM will launch Monday, Feb. 8, at 7 a.m. ET on ESPN.
Starting earlier than a live SportsCenter ever has on a regular basis, SportsCenter:AM will display a new vision for ESPN’s signature news and information program, with a greater emphasis on highlights and video, and a faster pace and more personality, while understanding the demands and time restrictions of morning viewers.
“We know that from 7-10 a.m., sports fans are on the go,” said Rob King, ESPN senior vice president, SportsCenter and News. “So this show will be especially attuned to the needs of this audience: delivering a smart, fast-paced, highlights-driven report that’s mindful of the time fans have to consume news as they start their days.”
The three-hour SportsCenter:AM will feature four ESPN personalities, with Jay Harris, Kevin Negandhi and Jaymee Sire anchoring the program joined by contributor Sarina Morales. Morales will be active on social media platforms such as Periscope and Snapchat during the show.
The program will contain three distinct hours, with the first hour focusing on taking a fresh look at highlights from the previous night in sports. The second hour will showcase top plays and moments from the previous night and the third hour will begin the transition to the upcoming day in sports while still featuring highlights. SportsCenter:AM will have a unique look and feel with its own graphics, lighting and colors.
All of ESPN’s daytime SportsCenter editions will have a different appearance beginning Feb. 8. From 7 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., each of the four shows will have a distinct format and identity:
10-11 a.m. – Hannah Storm will host an hour program focused on interviews, high-profile guests and news topics. Storm’s “Face to Face” interviews with athletes and newsmakers will be part of the program on a regular basis. Storm and her guests will elevate the conversation, with an evolved look at the previous night’s events and the day’s biggest storylines. Toni Collins will join Storm in the studio for news updates.
11 a.m. – noon – Chris McKendry and Jay Crawford will continue as hosts of the now one-hour 11 a.m. program, which will provide viewers SportsCenter’s deepest look at the day’s biggest stories. The program will leverage ESPN’s vast analyst, insider and reporter roster to explore major daily storylines, with analysts joining the anchors on the set and reporters adding information from the field. As with the 10 a.m. program, Collins will provide news updates.
Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Cari Champion and David Lloyd will host the midday show that will feature a conversational format, reflecting a time of day that demands an evolved discussion of the most compelling events and storylines. The show also will have contributions fromSportsCenter fan correspondent Reese Waters and will include features. The noon show will run 90 minutes.
Also on Feb. 8, Mike & Mike will debut an enhanced studio set. Mike & Mike airs weekdays, 6 – 10 a.m. on ESPN Radio and is simulcast on ESPN2. SportsCenter:AM and Mike & Mike will work closely to share resources.
Credit to ESPN Media Zone who originally published this article
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
