ESPN Restores First Take After Wimbledon Hiatus Amid Host Vacations

ESPN's flagship morning sports debate show, First Take, experienced a temporary disruption in its regular broadcasting schedule due to extensive coverage of Wimbledon 2025, with the program moved to ESPN2 and eventually taken off air completely during peak tournament days featuring simultaneous men's quarterfinal matches. Both primary hosts, Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim, were on vacation during this period, contributing to the show's reduced presence and alternate hosts filling in. ESPN has exclusive U.S. rights for Wimbledon since 2012, recently extending its contract through 2035, and prioritized live tennis coverage on both ESPN and ESPN2 channels to accommodate key matches, including those involving top American players like Amanda Anisimova and Taylor Fritz. Despite early exits of prominent American female players Coco Gauff and Jess Pegula, ESPN reported record viewership for the tournament's opening round. First Take is scheduled to return to its regular 10 a.m. slot on ESPN following the conclusion of Wimbledon, with fans eagerly anticipating the return of the show's hallmark debates and commentary. The network emphasized Wimbledon as a major event on its sports calendar, justifying the temporary programming shifts and vacation breaks for the hosts.