ESPN then enlisted Sharpe to join Stephen A. Smith twice a week on its flagship debate show, “First Take.” Meanwhile, on the other side, Bayless and “Undisputed” implemented significant changes, assembling a team that included former ESPN hosts Michael Irvin and Keyshawn Johnson, alongside another NFL great, Richard Sherman.
After approximately three months on air with their new lineups, the ratings data indicates that ESPN and “First Take” have widened their lead over their FS1 counterparts.
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According to Front Office Sports, “First Take” averaged 554,000 viewers from September to November, compared to “Undisputed,” which garnered 120,000 viewers. The report also examined recent two-week data (from Nov. 27 to Dec. 8), revealing that “First Take” attracted five times more viewers than “Undisputed.”
Shannon Sharpe is receiving recognition for the success, with no willing to give Stephen A. Smith his flowers.
It’s worth noting that “Undisputed” ratings are lower than they were during Sharpe’s final month with the show, which averaged 154,000 viewers.
While “First Take” currently holds a dominant position, these numbers may not conclusively predict the future for both programs and networks. FOS reports that FS1’s other programs, such as “Speak” and “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” experienced significant growth in November.
The addition of Shannon Sharpe to the lineup appears to be a positive move for the show.