Scott Van Pelt to Lead ESPN's New 5 PM Show? A Deep Dive

ESPN is reportedly eyeing superstar Scott Van Pelt for its crucial 5 p.m. weekday slot, potentially shifting him from late-night SportsCenter. This could be one of the network's biggest schedule shake-ups in years.

TL;DR

Scott Van Pelt is a top candidate for ESPN's vacant 5 p.m. ET weekday show, formerly held by "Around the Horn."
The move would shift SVP from late-night duties, which he's expressed a desire to change, to a prime daytime slot.
ESPN initially hoped to reunite Van Pelt with former radio partner Ryen Russillo, but Russillo's recent move to Barstool Sports changed those plans.
No new 5 p.m. show is expected until 2026, as ESPN is carefully evaluating options after current "SportsCenter" ratings in the slot exceeded expectations.

Big news is brewing in the world of sports media! ESPN, always looking to keep its programming fresh and its biggest stars happy, might be making a major move with one of its most recognizable faces: Scott Van Pelt. If the reports are true, our beloved SVP could be moving from his familiar late-night spot to anchor a brand-new show in the highly coveted 5 p.m. ET weekday slot. And trust us, this isn't just a minor schedule tweak; it's a potential game-changer for the network.

Why ESPN's 5 PM Time Slot is Gaining Major Attention

For over two decades, the 5 p.m. ET slot on ESPN was home to "Around the Horn," a lively debate show that became a staple for many sports fans. But after 23 years on air, "Around the Horn" was canceled in May, leaving a significant void in ESPN's weekday lineup. Now, the network sees this slot as "beachfront property," a prime piece of real estate in its programming schedule.

Why is it so important? This 5 p.m. window is perfectly positioned between "NFL Live," which brings in a solid football audience, and "Pardon the Interruption" (PTI), which remains ESPN's highest-rated daytime program. The goal is to maximize the audience leading into PTI, making whatever show lands there a crucial part of ESPN's daily flow. It needs to be big, it needs to be engaging, and it needs to hold viewers' attention.

Currently, a standard edition of "SportsCenter" occupies the 5-5:30 p.m. slot, and surprisingly, it's been performing really well. ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus noted that the current "SportsCenter" is actually outperforming "Around the Horn's" old numbers, drawing 448,000 viewers compared to ATH's 386,000 (a 16% increase year-over-year). This unexpected success gives ESPN the luxury of taking its time to "get it right" before committing to a permanent replacement.

Scott Van Pelt: A Star Ready for a Schedule Shift

Enter Scott Van Pelt. If you're a regular ESPN viewer, you know SVP. He's been the longtime host of the personality-driven late-night "SportsCenter" since 2015, where his unique blend of humor, insightful commentary, and signature "Best Thing I Saw Today" segment has earned him a massive and loyal following. Beyond that, he's also a familiar face on "Monday Night Countdown" and leads ESPN's golf coverage. He even has his own podcast, "SVPod." The man is busy!

However, Van Pelt, now 58 years old, has hinted in recent years that the late-night grind might not be his long-term plan. Working those late hours can definitely turn your life upside down, and it seems a shift to an earlier schedule could be very appealing.

"I don't want to speak for him, but I think there is a limit for how long people can have their lives upside-down from working late nights. This could provide some relief in that regard."— Burke Magnus, ESPN President of Content, on Scott Van Pelt's potential move.

This sentiment from Burke Magnus confirms that ESPN is aware of the toll late nights take on its talent and is actively looking for ways to accommodate its stars. It wouldn't be the first time they've made adjustments for SVP; in August 2020, his "SportsCenter" show relocated from ESPN's Bristol, CT headquarters to Washington D.C., allowing him to be closer to his family. This history of accommodation speaks volumes about how highly ESPN values Van Pelt and his contributions.

With his proven success in talk, his broad appeal, and his ability to connect with audiences, SVP checks all the boxes for a big name to anchor such a crucial time slot. Imagine his wit and storytelling bringing a fresh energy to early evening sports discussions!

The Almost-Dream Team: Van Pelt and Russillo's Missed Reunion

Interestingly, the idea of SVP taking over the 5 p.m. slot almost included a very familiar face by his side. ESPN's Burke Magnus originally had a "selfish concept," as he put it, to reunite Van Pelt with his former ESPN Radio partner, Ryen Russillo. For those who remember, "SVP & Russillo" was a hugely popular radio show from 2012-2015, and the duo amassed a fiercely loyal following.

Magnus was a "huge fan of those two when they were together years ago," and clearly saw the potential for that magic to translate to television. However, fate had other plans. Russillo, a "podcaster extraordinaire," was exploring his future on a similar timeline and ultimately made a different choice. In August, he announced he was leaving The Ringer to launch a new venture with Barstool Sports, backed by Dave Portnoy.

This move officially put a wrench in Magnus's reunion plans, but it didn't diminish Van Pelt's standing as a prime candidate for the 5 p.m. slot. While a reunion would have been exciting for many fans, ESPN is still moving forward with its vision for the time period, with SVP seemingly at the top of their list.

Who Else is in the Running for ESPN's Prized Slot?

While Scott Van Pelt appears to be the frontrunner, ESPN isn't putting all its eggs in one basket. The network is considering a few other notable talents for the 5 p.m. ET slot, demonstrating their commitment to finding the best fit for this important window.

Peter Schrager: A prominent NFL analyst who joined ESPN in May. While known for his football coverage, Schrager has a wide variety of sports interests, making him a versatile candidate.
Brian Windhorst: An esteemed NBA insider who has been with ESPN since 2010. Windhorst is a regular on shows like "Get Up," "First Take," "NBA Today," and "NBA Countdown," and hosts "The Hoop Collective" podcast. His contract was recently up after the 2024-25 season, but he's believed to have signed a new deal, continuing his normal duties.

It's worth noting that even if Schrager or Windhorst don't land the 5 p.m. slot, ESPN is also reportedly looking at creating a new program at 2 p.m., so these names could still be in contention for other dedicated shows down the line. This shows that ESPN is thinking strategically about its entire weekday lineup, not just one hour.

What's the Timeline and What Does This Mean for Viewers?

If you're already excited about the prospect of SVP in an earlier slot, you'll need to hold tight. ESPN is known for its deliberate approach to major programming changes, and this is no exception. A new 5 p.m. show isn't expected to arrive until 2026. This extended timeline allows the network to thoroughly evaluate all options and ensure they make the best decision for such a critical part of their schedule.

During this waiting period, the current "SportsCenter" airing in the 5-5:30 p.m. slot will continue, given its surprisingly strong performance. As Burke Magnus emphasized, "We are pleasantly surprised by how (SportsCenter) has a bigger audience than what Around The Horn was doing. We are looking at taking all the time we need to get it right."

What would a move mean for Scott Van Pelt's other duties? Reports suggest that if he takes on the 5 p.m. role, he would "probably" still maintain some late-night "SportsCenter" hosting roles, particularly after major events like "Monday Night Football" or other marquee games where his post-game analysis shines. It's also possible he could continue on "Monday Night Countdown," though some reports suggest that show's format, which is more for a facilitator, might not be the perfect match for SVP's more assertive, personality-driven style.

Ultimately, this potential shift underscores ESPN's commitment to keeping its top talent engaged and maximizing its prime broadcast windows. For fans, it could mean a fresh, dynamic voice leading the early evening conversation, while still getting those classic SVP late-night insights after the biggest games.

The anticipation is certainly building to see how ESPN crafts its next big move and whether Scott Van Pelt will indeed usher in a new era for the network's 5 p.m. slot. Stay tuned, sports fans!

FAQ: Your Questions About ESPN's 5 PM Show

ESPN's 5 PM Shake-Up: Could Scott Van Pelt Anchor a New Era? image 3

Got more questions about ESPN's upcoming plans for the 5 p.m. slot? We've got you covered!

When will ESPN announce the new 5 p.m. show?

While discussions are ongoing, ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus has stated that a new 5 p.m. show won't arrive on air until 2026. The network is taking its time to make the right decision.

What show did the 5 p.m. slot previously hold?

The 5 p.m. ET weekday time slot was previously home to "Around the Horn," which was canceled in May after a 23-year run.

Will Scott Van Pelt stop his late-night SportsCenter entirely if he moves to 5 p.m.?

It's unlikely he would stop completely. Reports indicate that if Scott Van Pelt moves to the 5 p.m. slot, he would likely still host occasional late-night editions of "SportsCenter" following major events, such as "Monday Night Football."

Who were the other candidates considered for the 5 p.m. role?

In addition to Scott Van Pelt, other names on ESPN's short list include Peter Schrager (NFL analyst) and Brian Windhorst (NBA insider). There was also an initial plan by Burke Magnus to reunite Van Pelt with former radio co-host Ryen Russillo, but Russillo's move to Barstool Sports prevented that.