FIRST Take has been absent from ESPN coverage for the last three days.
What is usually ESPN’s flagship morning show has been pushed aside in favor of different coverage.
First Take is returning to its normal ESPN schedule on Monday[/caption]
ESPN moved First Take in favor of Wimbledon coverage[/caption]
Instead of First Take, ESPN is airing the matches at Wimbledon live from London.
Wimbledon has taken priority at ESPN every day.
Last week, First Take was bumped to ESPN2 instead of staying on the main channel.
However, on Tuesday and Wednesday the flagship show was completely shut down in favor of Wimbledon matches on ESPN and ESPN2.
There was quarterfinals action taking place on two separate courts at the same time, meaning ESPN needed to channels for the matches.
First Take did return to TV screens on Thursday, but it was a shell of the normal show.
The show was aired on ESPN2, and it was without Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim.
The fan-favorite host announced last week that she would be going on vacation for “a few weeks.”
“Another NBA szn in the books,” Qerim wrote.
“Thank y’all for rocking with us 10 yrs & counting.
“Time to work on my tan-lines, shut my brain off & be with the fam.
“See ya in a few weeks. Grateful always, MQ.”
Stephen A. also wasn’t present on the show as he is on vacation as well.
He was a big part of ESPN’s NBA playoff coverage and has earned a break before football season.
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.
Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
On Monday, First Take will return to ESPN following the conclusion of Wimbledon coverage.
The Men’s semi-finals are being played on Friday, the Women’s final is on Saturday, and the Men’s final is on Sunday.
All doubles action will be concluded by Sunday.
That means ESPN can return to normal scheduling starting on Monday.
