The worldwide leader in sports desperately needs live sports to happen on a consistent basis right now.
Outkick the Coverage reported this week that ESPN’s studio programming hit a 41 year ratings low.
“First Take” was the highest rated ESPN studio show all day, posting just 211,000 viewers. That was the 93rd highest rated program on all of cable. Putting those numbers into context compared to other shows airing the same day on cable: “Nick Cannon Wild and Out 15” on VH1 had 50% more viewers than ESPN’s top show. “Smuggler: Secret Stash” on National Geographic doubled First Take. Not to be outdone, “Craig of the Creek” on the Cartoon Network posted 200,000 more viewers.”
The US broadcast giant’s viewership has suffered a major blow in the absence of live sports during the coronavirus pandemic.
Boxing’s return to ESPN wasn’t the big hit that they thought it would be. The Shakur Stevenson-headlined card averaged 397,000 viewers on Tuesday night, with a peak of 609,000.
Seems huge, but that is not encouraging. As of right now, it looks like the NBA will be the first major sport to come back since Major League Baseball continues to fight it out with players on how many games and how much money will be paid out.
