Ratings for ESPN's New Lineup: Revamped NFL Live Debuts Low

Monday, ESPN debuted its new daytime lineup highlighted by a revamped NFL Live that now airs 4-5 pm ET. 

The new cast, Marcus Spears, Dan Orlovsky, Laura Rutledge, Mina Kimes, and Keyshawn Johnson (who was not on yesterday), debuted to 158,000 viewers. On August 10, the most recent Monday airing on ESPN, NFL Live drew 206,000, per ShowBuzzDaily.

It did air directly up against TNT’s Thunder-Rockets playoff game, which averaged 1.2 million viewers. That said, the number is low. 

During the football season, NFL Live needs to draw drastically higher to prove worth the change. A change I found unnecessary as the previous iteration, while not newsworthy, had an audience. Social media buzz does not equal ratings. ESPN, again, foolishly chose the former. 

In the change, Jalen & Jacoby and Highly Questionable were demoted to the 2:00 and 2:30. Yesterday, the 30-minute programs drew 217,000 and 205,000, respectively. 

The NBA’s return has not helped the ratings for the daily sports shows that continue to pull in cringeworthy viewership. Monday, PTI led with just 358,000 viewers. First Take followed at 353,000. PTI aired during NBA games; First Take did not.

Football season will bolster the numbers, but it may not be as high as executives are hoping for. Remember: shows like First Take, HQ, and Jalen & Jacoby spend more segments on the NBA than NFL. Right now, during the playoffs, these programs should be drawing significantly higher viewership. Thus, my concern that viewers left during the pandemic, due to months of slanted social coverage, and aren’t coming back.  

To interview Bobby Burack, contact him on Twitter @burackbobby_.