FS1 has built itself around studio programming hosted by talent like Cowherd (r)FOX SPORTS
FS1 has "found its stride during the past year," with execs "showing patience in trying to let things develop," according to Joe Reedy of the AP. Fox Sports National Networks President Mark Silverman said, “We’ve grown past ‘embrace debate.’ I think we’re a more mature network now." FS1 has "built its fortunes around Colin Cowherd and Skip Bayless, but it has also surrounded them with other shows that give the network at least 12 hours of studio programming a day." The viewership numbers for those shows have increased "over the first quarter of this year." Cowherd said, "The lineup that we built has been great. To me the game plan is simple -- hire people who have strong opinions about the biggest stories.” Bayless said, “We’ve grown steadily. I’m pretty sure we found an audience, or they found us." Nick Wright, who co-hosts the morning show "First Things First," said that he has "been happy with the reassurance FS1 executives have given him that they are focused on the long haul and not short-term results." Fox Sports Exec VP/Content Charlie Dixon said that the goal for the remainder of the year is "to keep building on what the studio shows have accomplished." The only new show "on the horizon is a weekly look at the WWE, which will premiere in the fall when 'WWE Smackdown' moves to Fox" (AP, 5/1).
ESPN TOUTS ITS NUMBERS: ESPN's morning show lineup saw year-over-year viewership increases across the board in the month of April. "SportsCenter" and "Get Up" helped ESPN lead cable from 7:00-10:00am ET in the 18-49 demo. Meanwhile, "First Take" continues to propel ESPN to the top spot in cable from 10:00am-12:00pm among all key male demos for the sixth consecutive month (ESPN).
