Around the Horn is coming to an end next year. And while there are still many questions over the decision, the biggest one is what comes next. And it doesn’t appear that ESPN even knows the answer.
ESPN will reportedly cancel the long-running show next year according to the New York Post. The network has yet to comment on the reports and neither ATH nor any of its stars has addressed its now gloomy future.
Around the Horn has been a ratings winner for years. Along with Pardon the Interruption, it has comprised the 5-6 p.m. ET block of programming for ESPN for two-plus decades. In that timeframe, it’s helped to jumpstart or establish the careers of dozens of sports media members and establish a huge number of diverse, new voices on national television. Many of its figures, both old and new, have become beloved cast members.
In short, the program has been a win for everybody and there would seem to be no good reason for ESPN to move on.
With that in mind, surely ESPN would have a grand idea in mind to replace such a foundation of their daily programming, right? Surely there would be a brand new, transformative idea that would replace a show that has had a longer television run than Gunsmoke or Total Request Live… right?
Not so fast, my friend.
The most surprising element of the ATH cancellation came from The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, who reported this tidbit. ESPN is currently in discussions with ATH and PTI executive producer Erik Rydholm on what might potentially follow Around the Horn for the network with no “exact plan yet.”
It’s unclear what will be next for Reali, 46. In terms of the show’s slot, the network and Rydholm’s team are exploring other shows but don’t have an exact plan yet, a source briefed on the matter confirmed.
ESPN has been through a tumultuous few years. The network is trying to navigate the collapse of the cable industry, launching a DTC service, and going all in on huge superstars to try to maintain its position as the Worldwide Leader in Sports. I get it. There is a LOT happening in Bristol, Connecticut these days.
So maybe this little half-hour block of programming isn’t the biggest concern for the likes of Jimmy Pitaro and Burke Magnus given the macro picture at ESPN. But what network, sports team, or any industry makes a move to cancel or get rid of something without any plan to replace it? It sure seems like a decision that doesn’t make any sense for the future of your company, unless you’re the New York Giants and Daniel Jones, that is.
And it’s not like ATH and ESPN reached the end of their rope or anything. There were no signs that the relationship needed to change and the two sides were tiring of each other, like Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick.
I don’t know how many times this needs to be stressed, but Around the Horn is a success. This isn’t canceling Skip Bayless and Undisputed to get rid of a high-priced contract that was an albatross around the network’s shoulders. This isn’t trying to move on from a dated concept like Up Close. And it’s not like the brand is going through a period of uncertainty with the changes in media consumption like SportsCenter. By all accounts, Around the Horn is still doing well.
Last Monday, Around the Horn had 537,000 viewers. While it ranked behind PTI, First Take, and Get Up on the day, it also outdrew Pat McAfee, NFL Live, and several episodes of SportsCenter. And the year-over-year ratings chart shows no sign of a tangible decline.
ESPN deciding to cancel ATH and move on is one thing. But doing so without any plan on where they go from here is like jumping out of a perfectly fine airplane ride and figuring that there will be a parachute to catch somewhere on the way down.
There will be a lot of scrutiny for what ESPN decides to pull together for Around the Horn’s replacement. Will it feature one of the network’s already over-exposed mainstays like Stephen A. Smith or Mike Greenberg? Will it be something focused on fantasy sports or sports betting that is moving more into the mainstream? Or will it be a brand new concept that they will hope to figure out on the fly?
Whatever it ends up being, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on ESPN to get it right for their new 5 p.m. ET show next summer. Otherwise, we will come back once again and ask why Around the Horn was canceled in the first place.
