Press Releases – First Take

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ESPN Signs Mina Kimes to Multiyear Extension

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ESPN senior writer Mina Kimes has agreed to a multiyear extension with ESPN, and will debut an NFL-themed podcast – Bootleg with Mina Kimes – is now available everywhere ESPN Audio podcasts are accessible. Kimes, who joined ESPN in May 2014, will continue to write for ESPN The Magazine, as well as maintain a presence across a variety of programming including: as a regular panelist on Around the Horn; as a co-host on The Morning Roast on ESPN Radio with Domonique Foxworth and Clinton Yates; guesting on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and Highly Questionable; as a debater on First Take; as a contributor to E:60; appearances on Get Up!; and more.

First Take Takes a Bite of the Big Apple, Moves to New York Seaport District Studios on September 3

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On Monday, Sept. 3, First Take – with featured commentators Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman, and hosted by Molly Qerim – will permanently move to ESPN’s New York Seaport District Studios. The debut will showcase an updated look, while bringing all of the analysis and debate that viewers know and love. Production for the program will continue out of ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters. Additional details about the September 3 debut will be released later.

ESPN’s Weekday Studio Shows Grow Audience in March

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Many of ESPN’s weekday daytime studio shows saw audience growth in the last month over March 2017 (P2+). In addition, a number of shows saw an increase among viewers 18-34, including four separate editions of SportsCenter.

ESPN’s First Take Earns Most-Viewed February Ever, Up 16% Overall

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ESPN’s First Take earned its most-viewed February ever, across multiple demos including viewers P2+, M18-49, M25-29, P18-34 and P18-49. The month also notched a 16% overall audience gain over the previous year, averaging 499,000 viewers (P2+, Nielsen’s February 2018: January 29 – February 25, Nielsen’s February 2017: January 30 – February 26).

ESPN’s First Take Scores with Super Bowl Ratings

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ESPN’s First Take viewership was up 16% for Wednesday, Jan. 31, through Friday, Feb. 2, while Stephen A. Smith was live from Minnesota for Super Bowl LII, compared to Wednesday – Friday before the Super Bowl last year (461,000 vs. 398,000, P2+, according to Nielsen). The all-star guest lineup for the three shows included Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, Todd Gurley, Marcus Mariota, Travis Kelce, Dan Marino, Emmitt Smith, Von Miller, Kareem Hunt and more debating the Super Bowl, LeBron James and other NFL and NBA topics.

ESPN’s First Take Viewership up 7% in January

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In January, ESPN’s First Take enjoyed a 7% increase in overall viewership over the previous year, averaging 503,000 viewers (P2+, Nielsen’s January 2018: January 1-28, Nielsen’s January 2017: December 26, 2016 – January 29). The month also saw an increase of 13% for women (F2+) compared to the same month last year (103,000 vs. 91,000) and an increase of 6% for men (M2+, 399,000 vs 377,000). This increase comes after First Take capped off 2017 with its most-viewed year ever.

ESPN to Debut First Take: Your Take Exclusively on Facebook Watch

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On Monday, Jan. 29 ahead of Super Bowl LII, ESPN will debut its first episodic digital show that will be streamed three times per week exclusively on Facebook Watch. First Take: Your Take will tailor ESPN’s popular First Take television program to Facebook’s new social video platform with content that incorporates viewer interaction and engagement.

ESPN’s First Take Kicks off 2018 by Equaling Highest-Rated Show Ever

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On Tuesday, Jan. 2, ESPN’s First Take equaled its highest-rated show ever with a 0.6 household rating, tied for its best ever with November 4 and January 16 of 2017 and January 10, 2016.  On the same Tuesday a year ago, First Take moved to ESPN from ESPN2 and rated a strong 0.5. The day also ranks third in audience with an average of 823,000 viewers (P2+), behind December 30, 2013 (880,000), and January 16, 2017 (851,000).