When The Rich Eisen Show transitions from Roku to ESPN in September, its distribution won’t be limited to ESPN’s digital platforms.
According to a report by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic on Tuesday, The Rich Eisen Show will serve as a new centerpiece of the ESPN Radio daytime lineup, airing nationally from noon to 3 p.m. ET on weekdays. Back in May, it was reported that ESPN had signed Eisen’s show to appear on ESPN+, Disney+, and the network’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer product.
The Rich Eisen Show will replace ESPN Radio’s current noon show, Joe & Q featuring ESPN betting expert Joe Fortenbaugh and Qiant Myers. Per Marchand, Fortenbaugh will focus on his TV and radio spots across other ESPN properties while Myers will become a late-night host on ESPN Radio’s GameTime.
One interesting dynamic of the move is the amount of talent on ESPN’s payroll that will be hosting shows in the noon ET window. Eisen’s show will air directly against The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN’s linear network. ESPN is paying to license both programs. Additionally, First Take star Stephen A. Smith will begin hosting a new radio show on SiriusXM during the noon ET window, adding yet more competition to the timeslot.
Eisen will also launch a new, yet-to-be-named podcast for ESPN’s digital platforms, per Marchand. The show will feature Eisen, a former SportsCenter anchor, interviewing his former colleagues. For a certain demographic of sports fans, that show is sure to be a nostalgia bomb.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.