The sports television world is in an ultra-competitive place. It's no secret Fox Sports 1 is making a full-on attack on ESPN's long-standing market stronghold. And while FS1's numbers still lag significantly behind ESPN's—and it seems they will for the foreseeable future—FS1 has made at least some progress recently.
Undisputed, starring Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe, has drawn eyeballs to FS1. So has Colin Cowherd's The Herd. The network has also picked up popular former ESPN staffers including Chris Broussard, Jason Whitlock, and Erin Andrews.
Whether ESPN feels threatened by FS1 or not, the network has experimented with different approaches in recent years—particularly as the popularity of its staple show, Sportscenter, has wavered—and it appears another big shake-up could be on the way.
As The Big Lead reports, ESPN is considering moving First Take, which now stars Max Kellerman opposite Stephen A. Smith, from its longtime home on ESPN2 to the primary network, ESPN. This move would come as Undisputed is stealing viewers and, despite still being out-viewed 2:1 by First Take, cutting significantly into the ESPN show's success.
ESPN is also reportedly considering adding a new show centered around popular analysts Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre. This show would reportedly air on ESPN after First Take.
At this point, nothing is finalized, and Jones' contract expires in 2017. Like Torre, Jones is one of the smartest and most valuable assets the Worldwide Leader has, so it would be surprising if they let him get away. Then again, Bayless was important for network revenue, too. The difference is that Jones likely won't command nearly the salary Bayless did.
Following First Take's massive success with Bayless and Smith, ESPN and FS1 have both made moves to focus on personality-centric programming instead of news delivery. ESPN is also moving popular hosts Michael Smith and Jemele Hill, formerly of His & Hers, to the 6 p.m. Sportscenter slot.
It will be interesting to see how all of this shakes out and how it will impact the ratings war between ESPN and FS1.
Related Stories
Skip Bayless Says He Was "The Most Underpaid On-Air Talent at ESPN"
Skip Bayless says ESPN did not pay him what he was worth.
NBA Insider Chris Broussard is Leaving ESPN for Fox Sports 1
Chris Broussard is leaving ESPN for competitor Fox Sports 1.
Dez Bryant Calls Skip Bayless Out for Using Him as a Debate Topic on 'Undisputed'
Dez Bryant called Skip Bayless out on Twitter on Thursday morning for using him as a debate topic on 'Undisputed.'
