Hannah Storm Brews Over New ESPN SportsCenter Format This Summer

Sports journalism giant ESPN is getting a new broadcaster this summer. 

Former sportscaster Hannah Storm, who spent 2002 through 2007 as a hostess for the CBS "The Early Show" is moving on over to ESPN’s 8 to 11 AM weekdays SportsCenter show. 

Storm, who enjoys great popularity among many male sports viewers because of her good looks and who worked as a sports broadcaster for NBC for ten years before moving to her CBS role, will make her ESPN debut in August of 2008. She made her big break into sports journalism with CNN’s "Sports Tonight" from 1989 to 1992. 

ESPN is undergoing somewhat of a format change, with SportsCenter becoming a fully live show from 5AM to 2PM during the week, replacing the loops of its recycled SportsCenter material. The changeover takes place the week of August 11th, the very same week as the start of the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

"These live SportsCenters will answer fans’ call for greater immediacy and interactivity. Going live will allow us to put a fresh perspective on the previous night’s games and cover breaking news during the day," stated executive vice president Norby Williamson. 

Presently, SportsCenter is just a one-hour show that gets re-aired six times in a loop until ESPN finally goes fully live at 3PM in the afternoon on weekdays. 

"I loved being in news — it made me a better journalist — but I’ve always had a passion for sports," Storm told The Associated Press on Monday, May 12th. 

Hanna seems on her way to being well-received in general. Some of the viewing public’s comments include: "I believe Hannah Storm will bring a new energy to a boring, dull show. The other info will still be there, and Hannah has covered the entire sports spectrum. Most man sportscasters don’t seem to last as long as she has. I believe this is a good hire," and, "I remember listening to her back in the 80’s here in Houston on the Stevens & Pruitt morning radio show. I’m glad she’s getting back into sports." 

Hanna Storm left the CBS early morning show after her final appearance on December 7th, 2007.