ESPN to Launch Early-Morning 'SportsCenter'

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

ESPN will give early rising sports fans a chance to catch up on the latest sports news with a 7 a.m. live SportsCenter show.

SportsCenter:AM will launch Feb. 8 at 7 a.m. – the earliest live regular SportsCenter show ever – and will feature a greater emphasis of highlights and video as well as a faster pace and more personality to match the demand and time restrictions of morning viewers, said network officials.

The three-hour SportsCenter:AM will feature ESPN personalities Jay Harris, Kevin Negandhi and Jaymee Sire, as well as contributor Sarina Morales, who will be active on social media platforms such as Periscope and Snapchat during the show.

“We know that from 7-10 a.m., sports fans are on the go,” said Rob King, ESPN senior vice president, SportsCenter and News. “So this show will be especially attuned to the needs of this audience: delivering a smart, fast-paced, highlights-driven report that's mindful of the time fans have to consume news as they start their days.”  

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.