Business of Sports · RATINGS
ESPN RATINGS: Four studio shows set September records
Get Up, The Pat McAfee Show, NBA Today and the 6 p.m. SportsCenter set September highs as ESPN’s studio audience rose 7%.
Four ESPN studio programs recorded their largest September audiences in 2026, with Get Up, The Pat McAfee Show, NBA Today and the 6 p.m. SportsCenter setting monthly highs, the network announced Oct. 7.
Average viewing across ESPN’s studio lineup increased 7% from September 2025. Pardon the Interruption averaged 794,000 viewers, up 18%, for its strongest September since 2015. NFL Live’s 472,000 average was its best September since 2016.
SportsCenter averaged 435,000 viewers across its editions, up 13%. The 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. programs posted double-digit gains, while First Take averaged 500,000 viewers in the morning and early-afternoon block.
The new Big Day with Peter Schrager and Bussin’ & Pate on Campus each averaged 317,000 viewers during their first month. Their comparisons with 2025 refer to the programs occupying those time periods last year.
Nielsen’s September measurement period ran from Aug. 31 through Sept. 27. McAfee’s reported audience includes linear television and digital viewing, a distinction identified in the table.
The program and edition averages cover different broadcasts and should not be added together as a total audience. The same viewer can watch several shows, and the SportsCenter overall figure already covers its individual editions.
ESPN September studio audiences
Nielsen month: Aug. 31–Sept. 27, 2026
| Program / edition | Average viewers | Reported comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Pardon the Interruption | 794,000 | +18%; best September since 2015 |
| SportsCenter, 6 p.m. ET | 640,000 | +18%; September record |
| SportsCenter, Sunday morning | 533,000 | +7% |
| SportsCenter, 5 p.m. ET | 526,000 | +17% |
| First Take | 500,000 | No comparison supplied |
| SportsCenter, Saturday morning | 482,000 | +5% |
| NFL Live | 472,000 | +8%; best September since 2016 |
| The Pat McAfee Show | 464,000 | +4%; September record; TV + digital |
| Get Up | 461,000 | September record |
| SportsCenter, all editions | 435,000 | +13%; aggregate across editions |
| NBA Today | 329,000 | +20%; September record |
| Big Day with Peter Schrager | 317,000 | First three weeks; +18% vs. prior slot |
| Bussin’ & Pate on Campus | 317,000 | Three episodes; +26% vs. prior slot |
