Kemo
05-15-2023, 11:50 PM
WWE has been airing Friday Night SmackDown every week on FOX since inking a mega deal in 2019 for five years that will last until 2024.
The series has turned into the flagship program of the company as FOX is on broadcast television, not cable like Monday Night Raw on the USA Network, reaching more homes. The show also draws higher ratings than SmackDown because of that.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago and currently facing competition from the NBA and NHL playoffs, the show has been able to maintain its ratings, with most weeks seeing increases.
However, a potentially bad sign that FOX could be dropping WWE in their upcoming 2024 TV lineup was revealed today. Depending on how the media rights talks go with FOX and NBCUniversal (USA Network’s parent company), WWE could go to different networks for its television shows. FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch previously stated that he hoped WWE’s new owner would be good before Vince McMahon signed off on WWE being acquired by the Endeavor Group.
It was previously reported that WWE had productive conversations with FOX about renewing their television deal.
FOX issued a press release today to tout the upcoming Fall schedule because, as pointed out by Deadline.com, they didn’t present a fall schedule at their upfronts for a second year in a row.
WWE was not at all mentioned in their upcoming 2024 TV lineup. This is interesting as it could potentially indicate that talks haven’t gone as hoped between the two sides and doesn't antipcate having the rights to the show.
The series has turned into the flagship program of the company as FOX is on broadcast television, not cable like Monday Night Raw on the USA Network, reaching more homes. The show also draws higher ratings than SmackDown because of that.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago and currently facing competition from the NBA and NHL playoffs, the show has been able to maintain its ratings, with most weeks seeing increases.
However, a potentially bad sign that FOX could be dropping WWE in their upcoming 2024 TV lineup was revealed today. Depending on how the media rights talks go with FOX and NBCUniversal (USA Network’s parent company), WWE could go to different networks for its television shows. FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch previously stated that he hoped WWE’s new owner would be good before Vince McMahon signed off on WWE being acquired by the Endeavor Group.
It was previously reported that WWE had productive conversations with FOX about renewing their television deal.
FOX issued a press release today to tout the upcoming Fall schedule because, as pointed out by Deadline.com, they didn’t present a fall schedule at their upfronts for a second year in a row.
WWE was not at all mentioned in their upcoming 2024 TV lineup. This is interesting as it could potentially indicate that talks haven’t gone as hoped between the two sides and doesn't antipcate having the rights to the show.