Kornheiser, Wilbon sign new deals with ESPN as PTI celebrates 15 years
- PTI averages more than a million viewers each day, combining the original air on ESPN (5:30 p.m. ET) with the immediate re-air on ESPN2 (6:30 p.m.)
- PTI is ESPN’s most-DVR’d studio show with the household rating jumping 30 percent from time-shifting (Live to Live+7 Day).
- Over the last three years (since Sept. 2013), PTI’s daily podcast has been ESPN’s most popular with more than 100 million downloads.
- Since PTI launched in Oct. 2001, there have been more than 3,240 original airings on ESPN.
- In addition to Kornheiser and Wilbon, PTI has had 35 guest hosts in the history of the show. Most recently, Rachel Nichols made her debut in July 2016.
ESPN has signed Pardon the Interruption co-hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, two of the most influential voices in sports media, to new multi-year contracts. Today’s announcement comes the same week that PTI marks its 15-year anniversary.
Co-hosts since the show debuted Oct. 17, 2001, Kornheiser and Wilbon briefly – and humorously – acknowledged the milestone on Monday (see video above).
In addition to PTI’s consistency on-air, the show’s Washington, D.C.-based production team continues to be led by executive producer Erik Rydholm and coordinating producer Matt Kelliher. Together, they have made PTI daily appointment viewing for sports fans.
“Tony and Mike are the best in the business and PTI is the gold standard of daily sports commentary,” said Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, ESPN Original Content, Connor Schell. “That PTI remains as insightful and innovative as ever – and as relevant – is a tribute to the genius and hard work of Erik, Matt and their whole team.”
