WWE issued the following press release today regarding the future of SmackDown:
SMACKDOWN RETURNS TO USA NETWORK AS PART OF FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT BETWEEN WWE AND NBCUNIVERSAL
WWE to Make NBC Primetime Debut with Launch of Four Network Specials
STAMFORD, Conn., Sep. 21, 2023 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and NBCUniversal have agreed to a 5-year domestic media rights partnership that will bring Friday Night SmackDown back to USA Network beginning October 2024. Additionally, beginning in the 2024/25 season, WWE will produce four primetime specials per year that will air on NBC, marking the first time WWE will air on the network in primetime.
SmackDown will come exclusively to NBCU as one of television’s longest-running programs, regularly rating as the No. 1 show in the 18-49 advertising demographic on Friday nights and featuring many WWE Superstars including John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Rey Mysterio.
“NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades,” said WWE President Nick Khan. “We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown to USA Network on Friday nights and look forward to debuting multiple WWE special events annually on NBC.”
“It’s a privilege and thrill to continue NBCU’s decades-long partnership with WWE which has helped cement USA Network’s consistent position as the top-rated cable entertainment network in live viewership” said Frances Berwick, Chairman, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “With Friday nights on USA, primetime specials on NBC, and the WWE hub on Peacock, we’ll continue to use the power of our portfolio to super-serve this passionate fanbase.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, RAW & NXT will leave the USA Network next year:
“While the new deal will bring WWE to NBC primetime and SmackDown to USA on Friday nights, it will also mean the end of RAW and NXT on USA.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, WWE’s new deal with NBCUniversal for SmackDown coming to the USA Network for 5 years is valued at $1.4 Billion, which is 40% more than what WWE got from FOX.
Also Read: TV Viewership For Friday’s SmackDown With The Rock & John Cena
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