Reunification Of Sports Media Legends Sees Massive Ratings Increase For Iconic Show
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By Andrew Powell
Published on May 14, 2026.
The return of sports media legend Skip Bayless to "First Take" has resulted in a 24% increase in viewership. The show, which aired on May 9, brought in an average of 647,000 viewers. This was Bayless's first TV appearance with his former co-host Stephen A. Smith in nearly a decade. The increase is significant for ESPN, which has been struggling to maintain the same growth as other shows.
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