Here’s what the new ‘SportsCenter’ will look like
By Mark W. Sanchez
May 15, 2017 | 2:57pm
A changing network will have a changed flagship program.
ESPN is reshaping the what, when and who of “SportsCenter,” announcing Monday its new strategy for the longtime network staple as well as who will host which shows at what time.
After laying off about 100 employees last month, ESPN is bringing its survivors to the forefront, giving anchors Kenny Mayne, Sage Steele, Hannah Storm, John Anderson, John Buccigross and Steve Levy new multiyear contracts, ESPN announced in a statement. The “SportsCenter” program they will host will be more digitally oriented and personality based, buzzwords ESPN clings to as more and more people cut cords.
The most telling example of how ESPN is addressing the shifting landscape is “SportsCenter Right Now,” a show that paradoxically will not start airing until late August. The goal will be to provide live updates of the viral moments sports fans are talking about. It’ll also stream on ESPN’s app and will include content “produced specifically for the digital platforms.”
Perhaps looking to qualm the segment of the audience that doesn’t like the show’s new direction, Mayne, a dry-humored stalwart of the network, is being pushed up front. He will be back in Bristol — for the first time in nearly a decade, ESPN said — to host the 11 p.m. “SportsCenter” on weekdays and some weekends. Also rotating on this beat will be Levy, Anderson and Buccigross.
Steele also is headed back to Bristol, where she will anchor “SportsCenter: A.M.” from 7-10 a.m. ET Monday-Thursday, as well as continuing with “SportsCenter on the Road.” She is landing on her feet after ESPN booted her from “NBA Countdown,” with Michelle Beadle getting the full-time gig.
Steele has been a controversial figure in her years at the Worldwide Leader, including complaining about how President Trump attempting to ban refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries personally affected her — she missed a flight amid protests. She also guilted Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans into standing for the national anthem by using military graves to evoke a perhaps misguided sense of patriotism.
Joining Steele as “SportsCenter: A.M.” anchors are Kevin Negandhi, Jay Harris, Randy Scott, Elle Duncan and Matt Barrie.
ESPN is also betting big on Storm, who will continue with hosting the 10 a.m. “SportsCenter,” but also will be given an opportunity for more ambitious journalism. She will take a more prominent role on “E:60,” as well as hosting “prime-time specials,” of which ESPN did not clarify.
The other branches of “SportsCenter” will not be affected — at 6 p.m. will be “SC6 with Michael [Smith] and Jemele [Hill],” at midnight “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt,” and 1 a.m. will have Neil Everett and Stan Verrett hosting their edition.
These are the faces ESPN is counting on you to like, and watch, on whatever platform ESPN can get you to watch them.
By Mark W. Sanchez
May 15, 2017 | 2:57pm
A changing network will have a changed flagship program.
ESPN is reshaping the what, when and who of “SportsCenter,” announcing Monday its new strategy for the longtime network staple as well as who will host which shows at what time.
After laying off about 100 employees last month, ESPN is bringing its survivors to the forefront, giving anchors Kenny Mayne, Sage Steele, Hannah Storm, John Anderson, John Buccigross and Steve Levy new multiyear contracts, ESPN announced in a statement. The “SportsCenter” program they will host will be more digitally oriented and personality based, buzzwords ESPN clings to as more and more people cut cords.
The most telling example of how ESPN is addressing the shifting landscape is “SportsCenter Right Now,” a show that paradoxically will not start airing until late August. The goal will be to provide live updates of the viral moments sports fans are talking about. It’ll also stream on ESPN’s app and will include content “produced specifically for the digital platforms.”
Perhaps looking to qualm the segment of the audience that doesn’t like the show’s new direction, Mayne, a dry-humored stalwart of the network, is being pushed up front. He will be back in Bristol — for the first time in nearly a decade, ESPN said — to host the 11 p.m. “SportsCenter” on weekdays and some weekends. Also rotating on this beat will be Levy, Anderson and Buccigross.
Steele also is headed back to Bristol, where she will anchor “SportsCenter: A.M.” from 7-10 a.m. ET Monday-Thursday, as well as continuing with “SportsCenter on the Road.” She is landing on her feet after ESPN booted her from “NBA Countdown,” with Michelle Beadle getting the full-time gig.
Steele has been a controversial figure in her years at the Worldwide Leader, including complaining about how President Trump attempting to ban refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries personally affected her — she missed a flight amid protests. She also guilted Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans into standing for the national anthem by using military graves to evoke a perhaps misguided sense of patriotism.
Joining Steele as “SportsCenter: A.M.” anchors are Kevin Negandhi, Jay Harris, Randy Scott, Elle Duncan and Matt Barrie.
ESPN is also betting big on Storm, who will continue with hosting the 10 a.m. “SportsCenter,” but also will be given an opportunity for more ambitious journalism. She will take a more prominent role on “E:60,” as well as hosting “prime-time specials,” of which ESPN did not clarify.
The other branches of “SportsCenter” will not be affected — at 6 p.m. will be “SC6 with Michael [Smith] and Jemele [Hill],” at midnight “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt,” and 1 a.m. will have Neil Everett and Stan Verrett hosting their edition.
These are the faces ESPN is counting on you to like, and watch, on whatever platform ESPN can get you to watch them.
