Back in 1993 ESPN decided to build off its success by launching ESPN2. ESPN2 focused on more youthful content with the goal of building the next generation of ESPN viewers.
ESPN2 even brought about many innovations that would later be adopted by the main ESPN channel such as the news ticker at the bottom of the screen. ESPN2 was the first to launch the news ticker and only after it was well received was it moved over to the main ESPN channel.
Now it seems as though ESPN2 has hit hard times as ESPN replaces its afternoon lineup that used to be all live content with reruns of shows that already aired on ESPN. This week ESPN changed ESPN2s lineup moving the NBA-focused “The Jump” show to ESPN. Last year ESPN moved “Highly Questionable” and “SportsNation” to ESPN.
Now from 1 p.m. Eastern to 7 p.m. Eastern ESPN2 will broadcast reruns of shows that already aired on ESPN. The schedule is as follows:
Noon — “The Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz”
1 p.m. — “First Take” (reair from ESPN)
3 p.m. — “NFL Live” (reair from ESPN)
4 p.m. — “The Jump” (reair from ESPN)
4:30 p.m. — “SportsNation” (reair from ESPN)
5:30 p.m. — “Highly Questionable” (reair from ESPN)
6 p.m. — “Around the Horn” (reair from ESPN)
6:30 p.m. — “Pardon the Interruption” (reair from ESPN)
This move seems like an effort to boost ESPN ratings at the cost of ESPN2. Although this may be troubling news for the Disney-owned channel it is likely not at any risk of going anywhere anytime soon. ESPN2 is even part of the basic packages of Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, and DIRECTV NOW.
ESPN2 is still very profitable if by nothing more than the live sports it airs at night and on weekends; however, this is one more sign of how the cable TV business is changing faster than anyone could have guessed.
Source: Awful Announcing
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