First it was the NFL Network moving their morning show to new York, now 120 Sports, the Chicago-based digital first sports platform, announced it will take advantage of the space of one of its key partners, MLB Advanced media, and move its show, “The Morning Run,” to New York as well, starting in September. The Morning Run will be broadcast from the MLBAM studios in Chelsea Market from 8-11 a.m. (EST) daily, and will give 120 Sports a major studio presence in the two largest markets in North America – New York and Chicago – for the first time.
For those who don’t know, The Morning Run is a live-produced, national sports show that combines game highlight video, live guests and social interaction in a quick and easy format available on any device. This move also will allow 120 Sports, powered by BAMTech’s video distribution technology since its 2014 broadcast debut, to further leverage the NYC-based assets of its business partners such as Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and Sports Illustrated, and have access to popular personalities in sports, media and entertainment on a daily basis, live and in person. One of the hosts of the show while in Chicago is longtime ESPN personality Michael Kim, but staffing has not yet been announced yet. (120 Sports did add Abby Hornacek to their staff last week as well).
“The move to New York for ‘Morning Run’ signals another step in our evolution as a media and business platform,” said Jason Coyle, President of 120 Sports in a statement. “Being in the heart of New York now, along with maintaining our foundation in Chicago, will allow for deeper integration with our partners while providing additional profile and access to the biggest names in sports that can only come with a full-time New York presence.”
Shifting the morning program to New York will coincide with the Chicago-based launch of the previously announced block of new programming – The Rally, created in partnership with Twitter – airing live on Twitter each evening from 9-11 ET. The Rally and the remainder of 120’s daily programming lineup will continue to be produced out of Chicago and conclude each evening at 2:00 a.m. (ET).
Who will be next? SportsCenter?