Viewership up 53% over October 2016

In October, ESPN’s First Take enjoyed a 53% increase in overall viewership over the previous year, averaging 465,000 viewers (P2+, Nielsen’s October: September 25 – October 29). The month also saw an increase of 79% for men 18-34 compared to the same month last year (109,000 vs. 61,000).

Taking the show on the road for the start of the NBA season produced especially popular telecasts. Stephen A. Smith was on the road in Cleveland for the Cavaliers home opener on October 17 with viewership up 45% over the same day in 2016. That stop was followed by the whole team in Los Angeles for two days for the Lakers home opener (Oct. 19 and 20) with viewership up 87% over the previous year. The top days for viewership this month included Monday, Sept. 25, with 578,000 fans tuning in for a debate on President Trump’s statements about the NFL, Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 9) with 566,000 viewers and the first day of the Los Angeles trip with 537,000 viewers tuning in to watch Jamie Foxx’s impersonations of Smith and LeBron James.

In addition, First Take’s audience was more than triple that of Undisputed on FS1 – 465,000 vs. 151,000. The ESPN show’s advantage among men 18-34 was also more than triple that of Undisputed with an average of 109,000 impressions vs. 33,000 for FS1.

First Take – ESPN’s weekday morning studio debate show featuring commentators Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman with host Molly Qerim – airs weekday mornings from 10 a.m. – noon ET focusing on the most compelling and entertaining topics of the day from the world of sports. On Monday, Nov. 6, First Take will be live from the flight deck of the USS Freedom at US Naval Base San Diego for the Veteran’s Day Special.

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