ESPN Radio plans programming changes

ESPN Radio will add a new show, increase the hours of two others, and move one into East Coast afternoon drive in a pair of programming moves scheduled to take effect 2/2 and 3/16.

Brian Kenny, SportsCenter anchor and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights host, will host the network’s weeknight 8-10 p.m. ET slot starting February 2. Also that day, The Pulse with Doug Gottlieb will move from its present 7-10 p.m. weeknight slot to 4-7 p.m. and be renamed The Doug Gottlieb Show. Football Tonight will continue 7-8 p.m. followed by an expanded ESPN live news and information block, which will now run 10 p.m.-1 a.m. and feature information-based programming including Baseball Tonight, Football Tonight and SportsCenter. AllNight with Jason Smith remains 1-5 a.m. 
 
“We believe this new programming philosophy is designed to serve sports fans better,” said Mo Davenport, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Radio. “The overall strategy is to focus on strong personality-driven sports content between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., followed from 7 p.m. through 6 a.m. by play-by-play events, complimentary programming surrounding major events, and ESPN sports specific content and SportsCenter.”