• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025

ESPN dabbles with live-reaction content on Periscope following the release of the CFP rankings

Mike Golic Jr. and Jason Fitz host #RankingsReactions, which is streamed exclusively on Twitter and Periscope.

ESPN has partnered with Twitter to produce a live-reaction show following the weekly release of the College Football Playoff rankings. (FOS Illustration)

In ESPN’s continuous crusade to attract viewers under the age of 40, they‘ve partnered with Twitter to produce a live-reaction show following the weekly release of the College Football Playoff rankings.

It makes sense why ESPN would create a reaction show to amplify the CFP announcement program each week.

Per a Twitter Marketing report, 72% of TV show ‘superfans’ say Twitter plays a role in their TV viewing experience and 57% use Twitter to engage with TV show hashtags ‘beyond the screen’. Twitter conversation is sure to erupt for something like a rankings reveal, especially when rabid college football fanbases are involved.

https://frontofficesports.com/sportscenter-is-coming-to-snapchat-a50195059e76

While the second episode featuring Mike Golic Jr. and Jason Fitz was viewed by nearly 500k viewers, the October 31st edition was viewed just over 60k times and last evening’s show is currently hovering just over 80k (as of 1amET on 11/15).

The average viewing time for each episode is not publicly available, however by 10:19pmET, the show was only doing around 550 concurrent viewers.

An ESPN optimist may say one reason for this could be the late start time of the CFP announcement, which aired one hour later than the typical 8pmET start time; however I’m more obliged to say that the Twitter-verse and young sports fans in particular are not quite interested in hearing from Mike Golic Jr. or Jason Fitz.

Another underwhelming stat for the show on the 14th: #RankingsReactions was mentioned 27 times on Tuesday night, 8 of which came from Twitter & ESPN employees or company owned accounts.

I’d imagine those metrics don’t exactly hit the conversation and engagement numbers that Progressive Insurance and 1–800-Flowers (the advertisers read off during the show) want to see.

While this may come off as a hit piece against ESPN and despite the fact that everything the company does brings waves of criticism from industry pundits, the company isn’t in shambles. ESPN is still worth billions, and that dwarfs every other sports network or media company by huge margins. When you’re at the top, you’re going to be scrutinized for your mistakes and misfortunes, you’re going to get picked on.

ESPN will figure out how to navigate the digital world, whether that strategy comes from within the walls of Bristol or via Dumbo, Brooklyn; however until they do, it’s ok to poke a little fun at self-proclaimed ‘Worldwide Leader’.


Russ Wilde Jr. is the President of Front Office Sports & is a Marketing Manager at Thuzio. Russ previously ran Strategy & Operations at Julius, a leading influencer marketing platform, where he was responsible for the company’s competitive research, industry landscape assessment, and platform development.

You can reach him via email at ‘russ@frontofficesports.org’ or DM him on Twitter @RussWildeJr.


Front Office Sports is a leading multi-platform publication and industry resource that covers the intersection of business and sports.

Want to learn more, or have a story featured about you or your organization? Contact us today.

https://upscri.be/f32ae1/

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.
Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”

Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest

George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.
exclusive

ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap Strives to Discover Joey Chestnut’s Secret

Schaap calls his second Hot Dog Eating Contest July 4.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

What Rolapp’s NFL Exit Means—and the Top Candidates to Replace Him

NFL media boss Brian Rolapp leaves; the league hunts for his replacement.
May 23, 2025

New LPGA Commissioner: Women’s Golf ‘Really Hard’ to Find on TV

Former PGA of America COO Craig Kessler will lead the tour.
Gabby Thomas
exclusive
June 12, 2025

Grand Slam Track Cancels Los Angeles Meet As $30 Million Track Start-Up..

Sources close to Grand Slam insist money is not an issue.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Donald Trump, Nick Saban
May 22, 2025

Proposed Trump College Sports Commission May Never Happen

The White House is not sure of its plans.
May 15, 2025

PGA Championship Tees Off With Free Food, Record Hospitality Sales

General admission includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) and right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden
May 15, 2025

The 10 Biggest Stanley Cup Upsets of All Time

Since the 1984–1985 NHL season, 10 squads have defied the odds.
Allyson Felix
May 1, 2025

Allyson Felix on Olympic Pay, Nike, and Track’s Big-Money Era

Felix talked to FOS about her push to help Olympic parents and more.