Multiple editions of SportsCenter, ESPN’s signature news and information program, are continuing to gain viewership momentum.
SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, which airs at midnight ET most weeknights and following ESPN Monday Night Football, has seen a 13 percent year-over-year increase in viewership for the Monday night editions during the current NFL season. The program also has seen a 10 percent rise in viewership in the persons ages 18-49 demographic for the post-MNF shows.
The 6 p.m. SportsCenter, with anchors Kevin Negandhi and Sage Steele, saw its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth in viewership during October. For the year, the 6 p.m. SportsCenter is up four percent overall.
Daytime editions of SportsCenter are also making their mark.
Young men are tuning in to the 7-8 a.m. weekday edition of SportsCenter:AM. Since returning to ESPN on August 27, the program has propelled ESPN to the highest rating on cable in the timeslot for men in the coveted age group of 18-34. Across all cable and broadcast networks, ESPN ranks third in the demographic during the time period on weekday mornings. The program is anchored by Nicole Briscoe and Randy Scott Monday-Thursday and by Matt Barrie and Elle Duncan on Fridays.
Barrie and Duncan also host SportsCenter:AM on weekends, and the program saw a 10 percent rise in year-over-year Sunday morning viewership for October.
The expanded 90-minute noon SportsCenter on Mondays leading up to Monday Night Football has been a viewership success since its launch at the start of the NFL season and is up 11 percent over the same 90-minute timeslot a year ago. Anchors Hannah Storm and Jay Harris lead the program as it reviews the previous day in the NFL and looks ahead to the night’s matchup.
“It’s gratifying to see the hard work and dedication of the SportsCenter teams being rewarded with significant viewership momentum in a multitude of areas,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Studio Production. “SportsCenter will continue to serve fans as the sports show of record.”