ESPN has announced that it will commence a seasonal content initiative in which a variety of its podcast offerings will be televised on its ESPN2 linear channel. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 29, ESPN consumers will be able to watch video productions of podcasts from 2 to 3 p.m. EST, including The Hoop Collective and The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny. While the duration of the programming change remains unknown, the linear component will grant an opportunity for ESPN’s podcast offerings to reach a new segment of the audience.
“This strategic content initiative provides our ESPN podcasts with a tremendous opportunity for continued growth and audience expansion, while simultaneously lending compelling content to our ESPN2 television lineup,” Mike Foss, ESPN senior vice president, production, said in a statement. “The opening slate of podcasts combine timely, in-season sports – First Draft, The Hoop Collective and The Lowe Post – and high-profile ESPN personalities such as Mina Kimes and Elle Duncan.”
On Mondays, Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates will bring fans First Draft, looking at the top prospects ahead of the NFL Draft. The NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27 and is slated to be televised by The Walt Disney Company networks of ABC and ESPN. The focus shifts from football to basketball on Tuesday afternoons where ESPN senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst hosts The Hoop Collective, welcoming various ESPN NBA insiders to discuss the latest news, rumors and information around the Association.
Zach Lowe will be featured on Wednesday afternoons where he will combine reporting, data analysis and film study to look at the NBA on The Lowe Post. Mina Kimes will also analyze data and film on Thursday afternoons with her show, along with a guest from the NFL in her podcast, The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny, in partnership with Omaha Productions. The week concludes with SportsCenter anchors Elle Duncan and Gary Striewski providing entertaining sports talk on The Elle Duncan Show every Friday.
The network has various additional podcast offerings hosted by network personalities and active and former players, including Adrian Wojnarowski, CJ McCollum and Vince Carter. There are also options produced in tandem with Omaha Productions featuring personalities including Kevin Clark, Katie Mox and Greg McElroy. Monday’s premiere of the new hour dedicated to these podcasts will be preceded by First Take, which is presented by ESPN BET. Earlier in the day, viewers can watch ESPN Radio’s national morning show, Unsportsmanlike, featuring Evan Cohen, Chris Canty and Michelle Smallmon, presented by Progressive.
