Stephen A. Smith Celebrates "First Take's" Massive Ratings Increase

BYAlexander Cole61.6K Views
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Stephen A. Smith
It appears as though "First Take" is stronger than ever before.

Stephen A. Smith and First Take have had their ups and downs over the years. If you are a fan of the show, you know that as soon as Max Kellerman left, there was an immediate drop-off in quality. This was then followed up by subpar ratings, however, things eventually turned around in a big way. 

Over the last few months, the show has had steady rating increases, and now that Chris "Mad Dog" Russo is on board, it would appear as though there is a real renewed interest in the show. Russo is the perfect complementary piece for Smith, and the two have made for some truly hilarious segments.

Stephen A. Smith Celebrates "First Take's" Massive Ratings Increase
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According to a report from The Big Lead, First Take had an average February viewership of 445,000, which is the most they have ever had in that month. This is a 22 percent increase from January, and it is a demonstration that the show is still incredibly strong, despite what some of the critics have said.

Smith took to Twitter to show appreciation for these numbers, as he wrote "Thank You All."


While First Take isn't everyone's cup of tea, it is still very much an integral part of sports culture. The debates are crazy, and the entire atmosphere is a lot of fun. With that being said, it should be no surprise that viewership is still going strong.



About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. During this time, he has shown an expertise in Air Jordans, Yeezys, and all things that have to do with Nike. His favorite kicks are the Air Jordan 1 High OG, the Air Jordan 4, the Air Jordan 6, and the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in the "Beluga 2.0" colorway. Although his collection might not be the biggest, he is always looking to add new styles to it. When it comes to sports, Alex has a particular interest in the NBA and the NFL. His favorite teams are anywhere LeBron goes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a Montrealer, the Montreal Canadiens hold a special place in his heart, even if they haven't won the Stanley Cup in his lifetime. Alex also works for the Concordia Stingers, where he provides play-by-play and color commentary for the football, hockey, and basketball teams His favorite hip-hop artists are Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert.
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