• CW Frustrated With WWE NXT’s Ratings Drop (Read Statement)
WWE NXT signed a broadcast deal with The CW in 2023, and moved to the network last year after the developmental brand’s deal with the USA Network expired.
In September, Nielsen shifted from its traditional panel-only ratings system to a combination of Big Data and panel measurements. Previously, Nielsen tracked more than 42,000 homes and 100,000 people. The new system adds data from set-top boxes and smart TVs in 45 million homes across 75 million devices, giving a much larger sample to determine TV viewership in the United States.
According to Wrestlenomics, The CW expressed strong frustration over the change, saying that the Big Data results showed a sudden and substantial drop in NXT’s viewership that doesn’t match historical trends. The network criticized Nielsen for poor communication, a lack of transparency, and what they called a flawed methodology.
Below is the statement they issued:
“We’ve expressed to Nielsen our deep frustration with the way it handled the process, communication, and methodology behind its Big Data rollout.
The sudden and substantial discrepancy in WWE NXT viewership reported by Big Data, relative to long-established viewing patterns, is inexplicable and lacks credibility. Further, a comparison with data from all other measurement products (including others from Nielsen itself) exposes a fundamentally flawed methodology in Big Data.
We are disappointed by Nielsen’s lack of cooperation, transparency, and accountability with its network partners as we work to resolve this issue.”
• Spoilers For Next Week’s SmackDown – Sheamus Replaced By Ex-WWE Champion
WWE taped next week’s episode of SmackDown at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, after tonight’s show went off the air.
Below are the complete results for the Thanksgiving week episode of SmackDown, which airs the night before Survivor Series: WarGames.
– The Last Time Is Now Tournament Quarterfinals: Jey Uso defeated Rusev.
– The Miz and R-Truth both wanted Sheamus’ spot in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. While R-Truth was talking, The Miz quietly switched the name to his own to get another chance in the tournament.
– WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill crashed Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green’s celebration after Chelsea called herself the greatest female champion in North America.
– A backstage segment with Team Rhea Ripley (Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and AJ Lee) aired.
– Women’s WarGames Advantage Match: Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka.
– The Last Time Is Now Tournament Quarterfinals: LA Knight defeated The Miz.
– A backstage segment with Team Asuka (Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and Becky Lynch) aired.
– Traditional Survivor Series 5-On-5 Elimination Match: The MFTs defeated Sami Zayn, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura and The Motor City Machine Guns.
Order of eliminations:
JC Mateo, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tonga Loa, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Rey Fenix, Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga, Sami Zayn.
Solo Sikoa was the sole survivor.
After the match, The Wyatt Sicks attacked Solo Sikoa.
