SmackDown! moving to SyFy

[Xero]

From PWInsider:

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that World Wrestling Entertainment's Friday Night Smackdown will move from its current home on MyNetworkTV to SyFy.

The report noted that it is believed SyFy will be paying $30 million for the series, up from the $20 million CW was believed to have been paying.

Smackdown will debut on SyFy this October with an official announcement scheduled for later in the week. SyFy already airs WWE NXT on Tuesdays in the timeslot previously held by WWE's now-defunct incarnation of ECW.

The move would take Smackdown to cable for the first time in its lifespan. The series debuted as a pilot special in summer 1999 for the now-defunct UPN Network and was picked up as a regular series that September. The report notes the series will remain in its Friday 8 PM Eastern timeslot.

While WWE has the rights to shop the series anywhere on network TV, they could only move the series to a network owned by NBC-Universal on cable.

Smackdown was the lone remaining "original" program on MyNetworkTV, which had been reduced to a collection of independent stations and had dropped it's network status in February 2009, now referring to itself as a "programming service."

Smackdown's first episode on MyNetworkTV on 10/3/08 was the highest rated programming in the history of the network, scoring a 3.2.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/wwes-smackdown-moving-to-syfy-.html

Update:

From PWInsider:

A source just confirmed that with the planned move to the SyFy Network this Fall, Smackdown will also begin weekly replays on Universal HD, which airs Raw and NXT on Saturday evenings.

[dronepool]

The ratings will drop like flies. It's on cable+Friday night= no good.

[Providence Peep]

I'm glad it's moving to a TV channel I get.
I got Direct TV about a year ago, which doesn't carry Smackdown, so I haven't been able to watch it in a while. Funny thing is, I'm going to Smackdown at Mohegan Sun in CT next week and have NO IDEA what's happening on that show.

[Fignuts]

Horrible decision.

[redoneja]

I guess all this means to me is that I'll have to change my DVR settings.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Personally, I don't care.

But yeah, dumb move.</font>

[Thunder Savage Go]

sweet, i don't get CW either. so now i can watch some wrestling while i pregame before bar hopping. nice

[dronepool]

Who else see's the ratings dropping by like 30-50%?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Like seriously...I just can't wrap my head around this. I know WWE and CW have been at odds for awhile, but moving it to SyFy? Hope the quality of the show doesn't nosedive</font>

[parkmania]

Wait a minute!

Smackdown isn't on CW, it's on MyNetwork TV.

[Xero]

Typo.

[Juan]

I guess all this means to me is that I'll have to change my DVR settings.

[Xero]

From PWInsider:

A source just confirmed that with the planned move to the SyFy Network this Fall, Smackdown will also begin weekly replays on Universal HD, which airs Raw and NXT on Saturday evenings.

[Droford]

a 5 hour straight WWE block on Saturday nights.

neato

[Kane Knight]

Horrible decision.

[Droford]

I dont get MNTV so being able to watch SD in HD on my big 47 inch screen again after 2 years of having to watch blurry, jittery NOT HD video on my laptop is gonna be awesome.

[Lock Jaw]

Horrible decision getting $10 million more for the show.

[AKin3D]

I guess all this means to me is that I'll have to change my DVR settings.

Horrible decision getting $10 million more for the show.

Even worse is the fact they're moving to a channle people get.

[Xero]

I'm willing to bet MyNetwork has more penetration than SyFy.

[Lock Jaw]

:naughty:

[Kane Knight]

Horrible decision getting $10 million more for the show.

LOL. Yeah, that's the part that's a bad idea.

[redoneja]

According to Wiki, MyNetworkTV has 167 affiliates that can reach 106 million households, which they say is roughly 96% of the country.

I don't have any numbers on Syfy though.

[DrA]

lol

[redoneja]

According to the google, Syfy can be seen in approx 95 million households, which around 10 million less than MyNetworkTV.

[AKin3D]

According to Wiki, MyNetworkTV has 167 affiliates that can reach 106 million households, which they say is roughly 96% of the country.

I don't have any numbers on Syfy though.

According to the google, Syfy can be seen in approx 95 million households, which around 10 million less than MyNetworkTV.

Well what you know. Guess I just come across those few unlucky people.

[Thunder Savage Go]

Will the Zombie come back?

[Mr. Nerfect]

They should really try to get SmackDown! back to Thursdays.

[el bobbo]

I think this is a good move. SyFy network fits the WWE brand (however loosely) better than a nationally syndicated broadcast network.

With everything available online, the audience who actually tunes into the SyFy network might actually visit a WWE link every once in a while. The people who watched it on CW or My... would only watch that network if they really wanted to watch wrestling.

[Jeritron]

Doesn't SyFy channel show their original movies on Friday nights? If so, that's their big thing.

I think Smackdown will be moving back to Thursdays with this movie. It would make sense for a lot of reasons

[Xero]

What was the original reason for the move to Fridays? Ratings?

[Jura]

Doesn't SyFy channel show their original movies on Friday nights? If so, that's their big thing.

I think Smackdown will be moving back to Thursdays with this movie. It would make sense for a lot of reasons

No they show Stargate Universe and shows like that. Sanctuary and Warehouse 13 have ended though and so has Doctor Who so I only know of Stargate Universe occupying that Friday night time slot.

[James Steele]

What was the original reason for the move to Fridays? Ratings?
WWE's "lame duck (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lame_duck_%28politics%29)" status with Viacom on Spike TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_%28TV_channel%29) may have prompted its moving SmackDown! to the Friday night death slot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_night_death_slot) for the Fall 2005 season. It worked out for both parties involved, however, as the show did better in the ratings than it had on Thursdays,<sup class="Template-Fact" title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from March 2009" style="white-space: nowrap;">[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]</sup> while UPN received much better ratings on Fridays than it did before, with its movie night. In addition, UPN had been able to hold on to the ratings from Thursday nights, most notably with comedian Chris Rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rock)'s Wonder Years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonder_Years)-like sitcom Everybody Hates Chris (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Hates_Chris). In January 2006, prior to the announcement of the CW Network, it was announced that UPN had renewed SmackDown! for two more years.<sup id="cite_ref-Renew-Variety_6-0" class="reference">[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWE_SmackDown#cite_note-Renew-Variety-6)</sup>

[taker707]

So does this mean Jim Ross returns in September . They did it once before when they moved to My Network TV

[AngryMidjit]

syfy < scifi

why THE FUCK was it changed anyway?!?!?!?!?!?!

oh, I also think smackdown may suffer from the change :kiss::kiss:

[DAMN iNATOR]

Well, looks like I'll soon end up watching SmackDown! exclusively online, either through streams or on YouTube on lazy Saturday afternoons, as the current level of cable service we get doesn't include SyFy, and that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.

[Kane Knight]

According to the google, Syfy can be seen in approx 95 million households, which around 10 million less than MyNetworkTV.

SyFy tends to have lower overall viewership, to boot.

Well what you know. Guess I just come across those few unlucky people.

This is why anecdotal evidence on a personal scale is for retards.

Take notes, Jimmy Steele.

Doesn't SyFy channel show their original movies on Friday nights? If so, that's their big thing.

Don't they have like, four movies a year or something like that? Are you really worried that's going to interfere?

syfy < scifi

why THE FUCK was it changed anyway?!?!?!?!?!?!

oh, I also think smackdown may suffer from the change :kiss::kiss:

They changed it to SyFy because they think people will suddenly forget that it's a network for nerds.

Anyone considered they might go live? I know NXT is on Tuesday, but come on. Smackdown vs NXT? This is an acquisition SyFy evidently wanted bad, so...

[KayfabeMan]

Maybe they knew SD was going down the crapper to begin with, so sign this deal and get what you can before it fails??

[erickman]

Doesn't SyFy channel show their original movies on Friday nights? If so, that's their big thing.

I think Smackdown will be moving back to Thursdays with this movie. It would make sense for a lot of reasons

have you seen there movies last one greg brady was the star, but i think they are on sat night anyway. i wonder if syfy can get the wrestlers to star in there movies.

[Xero]

WWE Movies are far and above SyFy movies.

And that's sad.

[Kane Knight]

have you seen there movies last one greg brady was the star, but i think they are on sat night anyway. i wonder if syfy can get the wrestlers to star in there movies.

Santino Marella and Vince McMahon in "Hey boss! I shrunk Batista!"

I'd post that clip of the midget, but I think it stands on its own.

[Xero]

I figure this doesn't really warrant another thread, as it's pretty much the same topic.

Both from PWInsider:

The word making the rounds in Stamford, CT this morning is that when WWE moves Smackdown to SyFy in October, NXT will finish its run.

--

While the WWE NXT series is being canceled off SyFy, WWE is seeking other options to continue the series. I was told by one source today there have been at least preliminary discussions with Bravo.

[Xero]

Also, here's the official press release, from PWInsider:

SMACKDOWN GOES SYFY

World Wrestling Entertainment(R) and Syfy announced today a multi-year agreement that brings Friday Night SmackDown(R) to the "Imagine Greater" network beginning in October 2010. Friday Night SmackDown will premiere on its new home October 1st at 8:00 PM ET. The program, which debuted more than 10 years ago, is one of the longest-running, weekly episodic shows on television.

Syfy's original Friday night drama series will move to Tuesday night, where hit series such as Warehouse 13 and Eureka have yielded unprecedented ratings success. WWE NXT(TM) will leave Syfy in October as Friday Night SmackDown joins the schedule.

"WWE(R) is the ultimate in imagination-based sports entertainment. The fantastical thrills of Friday Night SmackDown provide an ideal addition to the Syfy slate, as it targets the younger male and female demographics, which are the fastest growing categories for WWE," said Dave Howe, President, Syfy. "With Tuesday night, a proven winner for our original drama series including Warehouse 13, there is bigger opportunity for series such as Stargate Universe, Sanctuary and Caprica to thrive on a night with a significantly larger number of viewers available to watch live."

"Syfy is a terrific partner and we look forward to bringing our proven ratings winner and ten year television institution, Friday Night SmackDown, to the network," said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. "With this move, WWE is thrilled to be expanding its long-standing relationship with the NBC Universal family."

Friday Night SmackDown averages more than 3.4 million viewers a week and is currently the most watched TV program on Friday nights among Males under 55 and beats all Friday primetime programming on ABC, NBC, FOX and CW among Men 18-34*. The two hour television program will be presented weekly on Syfy and features a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars and Divas including Undertaker(R), Edge(R), Rey Mysterio(R), Chris Jericho(R), CM Punk(R), Michelle McCool(R), Beth Phoenix(TM) and Layla(TM).
*(Nielsen Media Research Q4 2009)

About WWE, Inc.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto. Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. can be found at corporate.wwe.com.

About Syfy
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to our film business and any new business initiative which we may undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is significant and is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant, including a waiver by the McMahon family of a portion of the dividends.

[Nark Order]

Can't wait to see Zombie Swagger as World Heavyweight Champion.

[Jeritron]

lol NXT on Bravo.

[erickman]

so did syfy allready end nxt or does it end in october. is tonight the last ep of nxt or what.

[Xero]

It ends when SmackDown! comes to SyFy, so I guess we'll get one more NXT season out of this on SyFy.

[Jeritron]

How long does this season even run? That hasn't been really clear. I was under the impression that it was going until at least the late summer. Isn't there an elimination every 6 weeks now?

[Xero]

I've heard 16 weeks, so by that it would end sometime in June. But that was at the start of the season and they keep changing shit around so who knows, maybe it'll run through October.

[Jeritron]

The shorter the better. I don't know how many times they can have the rookies face eachother, or the group of veterans. If they really do run through October, and don't start involving storylines and/or guest appearances by bigger stars, it's going to get stale as hell

[Jimmy Cones]

No change for me. I will continue to watch Smackdown! online because I don't have cable and I'd rather watch it on my own schedule.

[erickman]

It ends when SmackDown! comes to SyFy, so I guess we'll get one more NXT season out of this on SyFy.

well then i guess nxt ends soon, i only saw 1 go around with nxt anyway. june would be a good time to end the show.

[Kane Knight]

So far, everything I've read said that it will not replace NXT. While I might speculate on it taking its spot, prior plans were still to run several seasons of NXT a year.

[Xero]

So far, everything I've read said that it will not replace NXT. While I might speculate on it taking its spot, prior plans were still to run several seasons of NXT a year.

"The word making the rounds in Stamford, CT this morning is that when WWE moves Smackdown to SyFy in October, NXT will finish its run."