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.
What they’re saying:
- 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.”
The ESPN weekday schedule (as of September 11th) follows:
| 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 |