The ESPN2 morning show First Take is moving up to the main network. In other news, ESPN’s NFL Countdown shows are headed to Mexico City this week, and the ESPN family of networks will carry the new Ivy League basketball tournaments.
ESPN2 Morning Show Moves to ESPN
- The struggling ESPN2 morning show First Take will move to the flagship ESPN network in January, it was announced Friday. The news was initially reported by Sports Business Daily. First Take had aired on ESPN2 since its debut as Cold Pizza in 2003. As a result of the move, the 10 and 11 AM ET SportsCenter blocks will move to ESPN2. (ESPN Media Zone 11/11, Sports Business Daily 11/11)
NFL Countdown Shows Going on Site Next Week
- ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown will air from Mexico City in Week 11, the site of that week’s Texans/Raiders NFL International Series game. While the Monday night show regularly airs from the site of Monday Night Football, it will be the first time that Sunday NFL Countdown has aired outside of the studio since that show began in 1985. (ESPN Media Zone 11/11)
ESPN to Air Ivy League Hoops Tournaments
- The ESPN family of networks will air the inaugural Ivy League men’s and women’s basketball tournaments next year, the parties announced Thursday. Under the agreement, the men’s championship game will be televised by ESPN2 and the five other games by ESPNU or ESPN3. (ESPN Media Zone 11/10)
UPDATE 11/14: Original post mistakenly said ESPN studio shows were going to Mexico city one week earlier than actually planned.
