ESPN wish to lengthen its hottest speak present.
After “Around the Horn” is canceled in the summertime of 2025, ESPN is dabbling with the concept of increasing “Pardon the Interruption” to an hour-long program to fill the void, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand experiences.
“PTI,” starring Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, has aired at 5:30 p.m. ET because it was created in 2001.
The Publish beforehand reported that ESPN will conclude the run of “Around the Horn” — the present that has preceded “PTI” since 2002 — earlier than soccer season subsequent 12 months.
Increasing “PTI” is the concept has the best upside and lowest threat for ESPN after “Around the Horn” is not on.
“PTI” has lengthy been probably the most watched speak present on ESPN’s airwaves — the viewership spikes for the half-hour it’s on, and recedes throughout the hour of “SportsCenter” that comes later.
What stays to be seen is that if it’s one thing the “PTI” hosts would conform to, on condition that the half-hour present has been such a profitable method for almost 1 / 4 century.
Kornheiser is 76 years outdated and Wilbon is 66.
Whereas he nonetheless has the acerbic wit that has been a giant issue within the present’s success, Kornheiser’s at an age the place most individuals should not clamoring to tackle further work.
“PTI” and “Around the Horn” are each executive-produced by Erik Rydholm.
The Athletic experiences that different concepts that ESPN is dabbling with for the half-hour emptiness embody new autos for Shannon Sharpe and/or Stephen A. Smith.
Smith is nearing a blockbuster extension with ESPN, and Sharpe signed a brand new take care of the community earlier this 12 months.
The 2 have had a dynamic partnership on “First Take” since a number of months after Sharpe left FS1’s “Undisputed” final 12 months.
