SportsCenter Expanding With Seven Live Weekday Hours on ESPNEWS

ESPN's definitive sports news brand, SportsCenter, will expand by seven hours each weekday beginning Monday, Aug. 30, when ESPNEWS offers live SportsCenter programs from 3-6 and 7-11 p.m. ET.  ESPNEWS, the 24-hour sports news network, will continue to present 30-minute news and highlights blocks the rest of the day, outside of the SportsCenter windows. The new ESPNEWS editions will supplement SportsCenter on ESPN, which airs live on weekdays generally from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at 6 p.m., 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. (reaired 2-9 a.m.), and on weekends.

As part of the expansion, during SportsCenter on ESPNEWS, there will be an increased emphasis on integrated elements to and from ESPN.com, particularly in the 3-6 p.m. block. Examples will include television segments incorporating ESPN's local.com sites (ESPNBoston.com, ESPNNewYork.com, ESPNLosAngeles.com, ESPNChicago.com and ESPNDallas.com); interactive polls; fan videos and photos; social media content from fans and athletes; and viewer Q&As with ESPN commentators. Potential SportsCenter-branded videos produced for ESPN.com each day may include extended interviews, the most memorable video of the day, most talked about stories and best highlights and star performances.

"SportsCenter is our flagship franchise and we're always looking for new and effective ways to strengthen it," said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. "These steps will increase the show's live TV presence, connect with sports fans in the digital space and provide dynamic new sales opportunities. We're showcasing SportsCenter within primetime television hours and during an active time for online traffic."

Cindy Brunson and Robert Flores will generally co-host the 3-6 p.m. SportsCenter block. The anchor team from ESPN's 6 p.m. show will also work the 7-8 p.m. hour on ESPNEWS, while the 8-11 p.m. SportsCenter window on ESPNEWS will primarily be co-hosted by Linda Cohn and Kevin Negandhi.

The new format of SportsCenter on ESPNEWS will provide more flexibility to create new advertising elements, which may include integrated packages with SportsCenter on ESPN.com and sponsor-able, commercial-free hours within the new programming blocks.
 
WEEKDAY SPORTSCENTER SCHEDULE (as of Monday, Aug. 30; all times ET; schedule subject to change)
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ESPN
3-6 pm. ESPNEWS
6-7 p.m. ESPN
7-11 p.m. ESPNEWS
11 p.m.-midnight ESPN
1-2 a.m. ESPN
2-9 a.m. ESPN or ESPN2 (reairs)