Kemo
10-02-2021, 06:40 PM
WWE is getting big money from its television deals with FOX and USA Network. A new report had shed some light on the relationship between the company and the USA Network as well as the input from the networks regarding this year’s WWE Draft that kicks off Friday night on SmackDown and continues on next week’s Raw.
Fightful Select reports WWE is working with both networks to make sure all parties were satisfied with how the Draft ends up and where the stars land. The USA Network is said to enjoy “the unique rosters a brand split provided, and that the prevailing thought is that they prefer that continue.” One source compared the situation to the NFL balancing all their broadcast partners.
There were concerns on USA’s side regarding some at Fox being under the impression that their platform was used to promote Peacock so heavily as they pointed to WWE booking Hell in a Cell matches on both Raw and SmackDown as WWE was doing their best to work with both sides.
Andrew Zarian of Mat Men noted in the report that he’d heard that USA Network was responding favorably to NXT 2.0 and many of the changes put forward. They also pointed out the increase in NXT 2.0 viewership in addition to the production values added, which made USA Network very happy. It was also said that USA Network does keep tabs on the product and is familiar with Tommaso Ciampa.
USA Network was said to be “elated” about the direction of NXT 2.0 specifically and didn’t worry about pushback from sponsors regarding the edgier product as they have the same elements on their own shows.
One person said the company’s relationships extended well before many of the employees there were even born and quickly dismissed the notion of “not caring” about the quality of the program.
The network is well aware of viewership trends and acknowledged the decline in viewership. Despite the decrease in ratings since signing the new deal back in 2019, it hasn’t waned to the degree that is something they’d like to see addressed as they’ve noticed the shows have been getting better.
Some people at the network grew tired of “scapegoats and shortcuts” in the two years before the COVID-19 pandemic to the point where they wanted it to change once fans returned.
Regarding WWE doing multiple drafts in the same year or concepts like Raw Underground, a USA Network representative said they aren’t opposed to these types of things, but don’t want them used as crutches or scapegoats.
It was said Stephanie McMahon has been a big steward of the connection between the two sides as NBCUniversal Chairman Mark Lazarus personally invited her over the summer to join him for a 1-on-1 discussion with the Paley Center for Media.
Fightful Select reports WWE is working with both networks to make sure all parties were satisfied with how the Draft ends up and where the stars land. The USA Network is said to enjoy “the unique rosters a brand split provided, and that the prevailing thought is that they prefer that continue.” One source compared the situation to the NFL balancing all their broadcast partners.
There were concerns on USA’s side regarding some at Fox being under the impression that their platform was used to promote Peacock so heavily as they pointed to WWE booking Hell in a Cell matches on both Raw and SmackDown as WWE was doing their best to work with both sides.
Andrew Zarian of Mat Men noted in the report that he’d heard that USA Network was responding favorably to NXT 2.0 and many of the changes put forward. They also pointed out the increase in NXT 2.0 viewership in addition to the production values added, which made USA Network very happy. It was also said that USA Network does keep tabs on the product and is familiar with Tommaso Ciampa.
USA Network was said to be “elated” about the direction of NXT 2.0 specifically and didn’t worry about pushback from sponsors regarding the edgier product as they have the same elements on their own shows.
One person said the company’s relationships extended well before many of the employees there were even born and quickly dismissed the notion of “not caring” about the quality of the program.
The network is well aware of viewership trends and acknowledged the decline in viewership. Despite the decrease in ratings since signing the new deal back in 2019, it hasn’t waned to the degree that is something they’d like to see addressed as they’ve noticed the shows have been getting better.
Some people at the network grew tired of “scapegoats and shortcuts” in the two years before the COVID-19 pandemic to the point where they wanted it to change once fans returned.
Regarding WWE doing multiple drafts in the same year or concepts like Raw Underground, a USA Network representative said they aren’t opposed to these types of things, but don’t want them used as crutches or scapegoats.
It was said Stephanie McMahon has been a big steward of the connection between the two sides as NBCUniversal Chairman Mark Lazarus personally invited her over the summer to join him for a 1-on-1 discussion with the Paley Center for Media.