In a year marked by intense sports drama, from thrilling NFL matchups to captivating NBA storylines, ESPN’s daily studio programming has emerged as a powerhouse, drawing unprecedented audiences and solidifying the network’s dominance in sports media.
2025 proved to be a banner year for ESPN, with its weekday studio shows collectively driving the network to its most-watched calendar since 2017.
Big year for Greeny, Stephen A. and McAfee
Key programs like Get Up, First Take, and The Pat McAfee Show not only shattered their own viewership records but also contributed to year-over-year growth across the board.
This surge reflects a growing appetite for expert analysis, heated debates, and entertaining commentary amid a packed sports calendar.
The success story begins early in the day with the 7 a.m. edition of SportsCenter, which delivered its most-watched year since 2019, averaging a 5% increase year-over-year. This set the tone for mornings dominated by insightful breakdowns and highlights.
Following suit, Get Up, hosted by the seasoned Mike Greenberg, recorded its most-watched year ever, pulling in an average of 424,000 viewers—a 10% jump from 2024.
Remarkably, this marks the show’s fourth consecutive year of growth, a testament to Greenberg’s ability to blend sharp analysis with engaging discussions on everything from quarterback controversies to emerging NBA stars.
The program’s appeal has grown steadily since its debut, evolving into a must-watch for sports fans seeking a balanced start to their day.
Mid-morning brought even bigger numbers with First Take, the debate-driven juggernaut featuring commentator and executive producer Stephen A. Smith. The show achieved a record-setting average of 517,000 viewers, up 6% year-over-year.
Smith’s charismatic presence and no-holds-barred opinions have long been a draw, but 2025 saw heightened interest, particularly during the NFL and college football seasons.
Despite changes in the lineup, including the departure of co-host Molly Qerim in September, First Take maintained its momentum, often sparking viral moments on social media that extended its reach beyond traditional TV.
Transitioning into the afternoon, The Pat McAfee Show continued its upward trajectory since joining ESPN in 2023. The high-energy program, blending humor, interviews, and unfiltered takes from former NFL punter Pat McAfee, posted its most-watched year yet, with an 8% increase across linear TV and digital platforms.
Including YouTube viewership, the show averaged around 436,000 viewers, with peaks during football-heavy months like September, where it hit record highs.
McAfee’s unique style—mixing profanity-laced rants with celebrity guests—has resonated with younger demographics, generating over 1 billion social media views in September alone.
By the numbers
The momentum carried through the day with other staples. The 2-3 p.m. SportsCenter slot, a relatively new addition since 2023, delivered its best performance ever, up 20% year-over-year.
Specialized shows like NBA Today, hosted by Malika Andrews, saw a 16% rise, marking the best NBA daily studio numbers since 2018.
Similarly, NFL Live with Laura Rutledge achieved its strongest year since 2016, growing 18% overall and showing impressive gains in key demographics: 78% among youth (ages 2-17) and 48% among females during football season.
Evening programming rounded out the triumphs. The 5 p.m. SportsCenter enjoyed four straight months of growth to end the year, up 10%.
PTI (Pardon the Interruption), ESPN’s most-viewed daytime studio show, averaged 679,000 viewers—its best since 2019, with a 5% increase.
The 6 p.m. SportsCenter hit its most-watched mark since 2015, surging 16%, while the 11 p.m. edition rose 17% to its best since 2019.
Late-night fans tuned into SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, which had its best year since 2022, averaging 737,000 viewers overall.
Even the 1 a.m. slot grew 11%.
This widespread growth wasn’t isolated to one season; monthly data shows consistent gains. For instance, in September, as fall sports kicked off, Get Up jumped 24%, First Take 23%, and the 6 p.m. SportsCenter 39%.
October and November followed suit, with nearly all shows posting increases, fueled by the return of football and innovative features like Big Data integrations.
ESPN’s strategic moves, including relocations to new studios in Manhattan and collaborations with high-profile talents, have paid dividends.
Overall, ESPN’s studio success in 2025 underscores a shift in how fans consume sports content—craving personality-driven shows that go beyond scores. With the network’s sports share climbing to 35% from 31% in 2024, these records signal a robust future.
As we head into 2026, expect ESPN to build on this momentum, potentially with expanded digital offerings and more cross-platform integrations to keep viewers hooked.
