Bill Simmons Gets His Own ESPN Basketball Show

ESPN’s Bill Simmons is getting his own show, “The Grantland Basketball Show.” The first episode airs October 21st at 8 pm on ESPN. There will be 18-one-hour episodes, that will also feature contributors from Simmons’ “Grantland” website.

I would expect a heavy does of Jalen Rose, those two work well together. Simmons spent the last three years as one of a constant rotation cast on ESPN’s NBA Countdown. Chemistry issues have plagued the show with Magic Johnson leaving unexpectedly last year.

Seems as if there is a programming shift happening at ESPN. Recently, the Michael Smith and Jemele Hill tandem on “Numbers Never Lie” has been outpacing “First Take” in ratings. There is also the rumor of a Cari Champion show in the works.