ESPN today announced "major changes to the programming lineup and talent roster" of "SportsCenter," which represent the net "recognizing an urgent need to reach sports fans on other platforms than just cable television," according to Daniel Roberts of YAHOO FINANCE. There are "two themes to the changes: making 'SportsCenter' more digital, and shifting anchor assignments to make every 'SportsCenter' slot even more tied to the personality of the host." ESPN is launching "SportsCenter Right Now," which will focus on "updates that will run throughout the day on TV and online." The updates, up to 2 minutes in length, will be "shot and produced quickly to cover news of the day, and immediately uploaded to ESPN’s home page, its mobile app, and to social media." They will run on TV in regular bursts between 7:00am-3:00pm ET, and on digital platforms between 7:00am-6:00pm. The updates will also "air twice an hour during all ESPN daytime TV shows, as well as during halftime of primetime games on ESPN and on ABC." Roberts notes ESPN's plans start in August. Some of the "SportsCenter Right Now" segments will "report breaking news," while some "may be lighter and discuss a single story that is going viral." The updates will have "distinct hosts," while "SportsCenter Right Now" updates that air during halftime of games "will be hosted by better-known 'SportsCenter' anchors" (FINANCE.YAHOO.com, 5/15).
