ESPN’s daily studio lineup delivered a strong start to 2026, posting significant year-over-year audience growth across multiple dayparts. According to Nielsen data, ESPN’s signature studio shows averaged 485,000 viewers during the first quarter.
That figure represents a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Momentum built quickly, fueled by strong January performances that carried through March.
Several programs led the charge with record-setting quarterly averages.
Get Up turned in its best first quarter on record. The morning show averaged 464,000 viewers, up 18% from a year ago. Each month set a new benchmark, including January, February and March.
The Pat McAfee Show also reached a new high for Q1. The program averaged 520,000 viewers across linear and digital platforms. Monthly growth remained consistent, highlighted by its most-watched January in show history.
In the afternoon window, the 2 p.m. edition of SportsCenter delivered its strongest first quarter performance to date. The program averaged 326,000 viewers and showed double-digit growth year-over-year.
Meanwhile, NBA Today posted a 24% increase, finishing the quarter with an average audience of 360,000.
Late-night remained a major driver for ESPN. SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt led all studio shows with an average of 868,000 viewers. The program benefited from strong lead-ins tied to the NFL playoffs and the College Football Playoff.
January proved especially impactful, with the show averaging 1.9 million viewers for the month.
Other established programs also delivered notable gains.
Pardon the Interruption averaged 777,000 viewers, marking its best first quarter since 2019. The show improved 16% compared to last year. The 6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter followed with 533,000 viewers, its highest first quarter average in nearly a decade.
The addition of co-anchor Christine Williamson alongside Kevin Negandhi helped fuel that growth.
NFL Live posted one of the largest jumps, climbing 30% year-over-year to 469,000 viewers. It marked the show’s best first quarter performance since 2015. Additional gains came from First Take, which averaged 524,000 viewers, and several editions of SportsCenter across early morning, weekend and overnight windows. Each recorded year-over-year increases.
ESPN also saw early success from its newer programming. The 5 p.m. edition of SportsCenter, which debuted in May 2025, averaged 477,000 viewers in its first measured first quarter. That total represented a 10% increase over the same timeslot last year.
Metrics for the Q1 viewership totals are based on the Nielsen Big Data + Panel and YouTube Analytics. The Nielsen Big Data + Panel methodology began use in September of 2025.
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