ESPN First Take To Host Shows in New York Seaport Studios Sept. 3

On Monday, Sept. 3, First Take — with featured commentators Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman, and hosted by Molly Qerim — will permanently move to ESPN’s New York Seaport District Studios. The debut will showcase an updated look, while bringing all of the analysis and debate that viewers know and love. Production for the program will continue out of ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters. Additional details about the September 3 debut will be released later.

“First Take’s consistent success is largely due to a team on air and behind the scenes committed to seizing every possible opportunity to be the best,” says David Roberts, vice president, Network Content. “This move to a state-of-the-art studio in New York underscores our commitment to achieve our primary mission — serving the sports fan through excellence on all fronts.”

During the first week of Wimbledon (July 2-6), First Take aired afternoon specials from 4:30-6 p.m. ET (except for July 4), and earned a 53% P2+ audience increase over that timeslot from the year before (468,000 vs. 306,000). In addition, those same airings garnered a 61% increase in viewership year-over-year in the People 25-54 demographic (238,000 vs. 148,000).

First Take airs weekdays from 10 a.m. – Noon on ESPN. The program is regularly one of ESPN’s highest-rated shows and consistently is the No. 1-ranked cable network from the 10 a.m. – Noon ET timeslot.