Smackdown Live! to FOX in 1 billion dollar deal: Fridays on FOX: WWE TV Rights Hot Fucking Stove

[Innovator]

WWE has agreed in principle to make Fox the new home of "SmackDown Live," after the network came to WWE with what sources described as a "massive" offer.

Specific terms, beyond the fact that the deal will begin in October 2019, are unknown at this time.

A representative for WWE declined to comment. A Fox spokesperson could not immediately be reached.

As first reported by the Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, NBC Universal declined its right of first refusal to hit the numbers that WWE proposed on "SmackDown." NBC instead focused its efforts on "Monday Night Raw."

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With live TV viewed as a prized commodity in the era of DVR and on-demand and "SmackDown Live" straddling the worlds of scripted and sports TV, Fox greatly valued the opportunity to pursue one of WWE's signature programs.

"SmackDown Live," which airs on Tuesdays, has averaged 2.59 million viewers per week in 2018, while "Raw" has averaged about 3 million viewers.

One of WWE's two weekly live broadcast shows, "SmackDown Live" has aired on NBC Universal networks since October 2010, first calling the SyFy network its home from 2010 to 2015 before debuting on the USA Network in January 2016. Before that, "SmackDown" aired on broadcast TV, starting in 1999 on UPN, followed by runs on the CW and My Network TV.

"Monday Night Raw" called USA Network home from 1993 to 2000 and returned there in October 2005 -- a run that carries through present day.

Since Thursday morning, when the Hollywood Reporter broke news of the opening of negotiations, WWE's stock, through 11:30 a.m. ET Monday, was up 19.1 percent.



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: WWE’s SmackDown Live is coming to Fox, after network agreed in principle to a “massive deal.” <a href="https://t.co/h4C7lf9JHT">https://t.co/h4C7lf9JHT</a></p>&mdash; Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) <a href="https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/status/998598535900786688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Innovator]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Additional details from The Wrap - SmackDown is expected to move to Fox in Oct. 2019, moving to Friday nights on the Fox network <a href="https://t.co/sRMBOBYQOM">https://t.co/sRMBOBYQOM</a></p>&mdash; John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjohnpollock/status/998602447923896321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[slik]

The A-Show back on Network TV baybay!

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE should have had FOX move <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SDLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SDLive</a> to Mondays so WWE could reignite the Monday Night Wars with themselves.</p>&mdash; The Ultimate Worrier (@WorrierMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorrierMN/status/998606124655022081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Evil Vito]

Is this gonna mean SmackDown Live is actually SmackDown Taped once again?

[Lock Jaw]

Cancel Smackdown, bring back Lucifer

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE stock skyrocketing again, after news that Fox has agreed to pay to broadcast SmackDown Live. <a href="https://t.co/Bl6mcTNFS4">pic.twitter.com/Bl6mcTNFS4</a></p>&mdash; Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) <a href="https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/status/998604299763625984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[LibSuperstar]

This is BIG. Good deal!

[ClockShot]

As long as it's on Fox.

Don't bury it on Fox Sports 1.

[Droford]

lol no way they do live on friday night

back to taped fuck that

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I wonder if this will positively impact the writing/direciton.

[xrodmuc316]

It actually being on Fox and not a cable channel has to mean WWE is getting paid huge. Stock has already jumped $7 in the last hour.

Also, how pissed is Vince that he sold 3.34 million shares at $32 in December instead of today for $57. XFL could have got an extra $90 million to mess with.

[slik]

According to the Hollywood Reporter the deal to air SDLive is for $205 million per year for five years -- it's a billion dollar deal for WWE. SD literally just became the new A-show, for reals.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-wwe-close-massive-five-year-1-billion-deal-smackdown-1113701

[xrodmuc316]

According to the Hollywood Reporter the deal to air SDLive is for $205 million per year for five years -- it's a billion dollar deal for WWE. SD literally just became the new A-show, for reals.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-wwe-close-massive-five-year-1-billion-deal-smackdown-1113701

Breaking News coming any minute now:

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Sng3iN3RAQkhnZd9Z-FyJUu9GTk=/0x0:670x377/620x413/filters:focal(282x136:388x242):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53745523/Roman_Reigns_SmackDown.0.jpg

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The price tag on that Fox-WWE deal for SmackDown - more than $1 billion. <a href="https://t.co/MH2ywEyARS">https://t.co/MH2ywEyARS</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/THR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thr</a></p>&mdash; Marisa Guthrie (@MarisaGuthrie) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarisaGuthrie/status/998615079485607936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Cool King]

I get the feeling that this will also impact SmackDown over here in the UK.

Right now we also get SmackDown live early on Wednesday morning but if it moves to Fridays on FOX, then one of three things will happen:

• It'll be live on Friday on FOX and the UK will also get it live early on Saturday morning.

• It'll be taped and shown on Friday on FOX and also shown here taped, also on Friday.

• It'll stay live and shown live over here like it is now, early on Wednesday mornings but be shown taped on FOX on Fridays.

I think the first outcome will really not do SmackDown any favours over here due to it's time and day of broadcast.

The second outcome will also be bad for SmackDown over here but not at much as the first outcome. I guess for people around my age it would kinda be a little nostalgia trip back to the days when Raw was shown on Friday nights but apart from that, it'll also be really unfair to UK fans that would now miss out on live SmackDown's because of the agreement between WWE and Fox.

The third outcome could happen but is really the less likely to happen. Another country getting something live whereas the country of the show's origin doesn't, just doesn't make any sense and would probably see a big rise of illegal streaming of SmackDown in the states.

So when you think about it, either way, this deal between WWE and Fox really screws over the UK if indeed SmackDown does move to Fridays.

[Innovator]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Having to hear Joe Buck read SmackDown ad copy through gritted teeth is going to be the best.</p>&mdash; Voices of Wrestling (@voiceswrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling/status/998606647063973888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[XL]

I get the feeling that this will also impact SmackDown over here in the UK.

Right now we also get SmackDown live early on Wednesday morning but if it moves to Fridays on FOX, then one of three things will happen:

• It'll be live on Friday on FOX and the UK will also get it live early on Saturday morning.

• It'll be taped and shown on Friday on FOX and also shown here taped, also on Friday.

• It'll stay live and shown live over here like it is now, early on Wednesday mornings but be shown taped on FOX on Fridays.

I think the first outcome will really not do SmackDown any favours over here due to it's time and day of broadcast.

The second outcome will also be bad for SmackDown over here but not at much as the first outcome. I guess for people around my age it would kinda be a little nostalgia trip back to the days when Raw was shown on Friday nights but apart from that, it'll also be really unfair to UK fans that would now miss out on live SmackDown's because of the agreement between WWE and Fox.

The third outcome could happen but is really the less likely to happen. Another country getting something live whereas the country of the show's origin doesn't, just doesn't make any sense and would probably see a big rise of illegal streaming of SmackDown in the states.

So when you think about it, either way, this deal between WWE and Fox really screws over the UK if indeed SmackDown does move to Fridays.

Think Sky Sports have exclusive rights/first refusal on all WWE content. The US rights have nothing to do with how it airs elsewhere in the world.

[Cool King]

I thought they did but I wasn't entirely sure.

[Simple Fan]

I don't see Fox paying that much money for it not to be live.

[xrodmuc316]

But guys!!!

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Sng3iN3RAQkhnZd9Z-FyJUu9GTk=/0x0:670x377/620x413/filters:focal(282x136:388x242):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53745523/Roman_Reigns_SmackDown.0.jpg

[XL]

The current UK deal runs to October 2019 so there’s every chance they’ll be shopping around. That said, they’ve been exclusive with Sky for the last 16 years, and only broke that exclusivity for 2 years to air Heat and 4 PPVs a year, so there’s only a slim chance of that changing.

[Emperor Smeat]

FOX overpaid way too much for Smackdown considering before they were rumored to only be looking at $200+ million for both of WWE's shows. Then again same could be said for NBC and the rumored $300+ million per year deal for RAW.

Only real bright side is unlike last time, the wrestling tv market is now a lot more healthier which will help other companies when it comes to renewing or getting their own tv deals.

[Destor]

No way it goes backto pretaped. Shit time slot though. Wont pull viewers

[Destor]

Awful deal for fox

[erickman]

FOX overpaid way too much for Smackdown considering before they were rumored to only be looking at $200+ million for both of WWE's shows. Then again same could be said for NBC and the rumored $300+ million per year deal for RAW.

Only real bright side is unlike last time, the wrestling tv market is now a lot more healthier which will help other companies when it comes to renewing or getting their own tv deals.

yeah I remember when fox 1st went into football overpaid for the nfc, I hope they do a better night then fri that is dead tv night.

[Dark One]

http://www.wrestlenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Vince-McMahon-money.0.0.jpg

[ClockShot]

Also just realized Fox needs to be careful about their future programming. You got Smackdown locked in Fridays.

Any new shows they're considering might have to get sent over to FX or pull the trigger on cancellations sooner than expected. Fridays (and Saturdays too) are usually reserved for TV purgatory on some networks.

[xrodmuc316]

Also just realized Fox needs to be careful about their future programming. You got Smackdown locked in Fridays.

Any new shows they're considering might have to get sent over to FX or pull the trigger on cancellations sooner than expected. Fridays (and Saturdays too) are usually reserved for TV purgatory on some networks.

I was thinking that too, but from their perspective they are happy if they get a 2 rating on Friday night shows, so if Smackdown can pull a 3 rating I think they would be happy.

[DAMN iNATOR]

http://www.wrestlenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Vince-McMahon-money.0.0.jpg

Currently on repeating loop in Vince and Shane's office:
HMuYfScGpbE

Picture the latter singing like he does in a cutscene from some WWE video game (can't remember which one, not interested in Googling it) when you get traded to RAW.

[Emperor Smeat]

Also just realized Fox needs to be careful about their future programming. You got Smackdown locked in Fridays.

Any new shows they're considering might have to get sent over to FX or pull the trigger on cancellations sooner than expected. Fridays (and Saturdays too) are usually reserved for TV purgatory on some networks.

If anything, think WWE should be more worried considering FOX has shown they don't hesitate when it comes to pulling the plug on shows and deals if they don't think its performing well. Smackdown is leaving a very safe home for a new home that might not be as receptive in the long run for WWE's struggles.

NBC already did it before considering they used to show a bunch of WWE programming on the main network for a while like the Hall of Fame, Mania stuff, and Saturday Night's Main Event.

[RaginRonic]

Well, I guess this means that FOX is going to be blacked out in Canada during SmackDown, as Rogers Media will not allow those here in Canada to watch the U.S. ads for the show.

X-(

[A.J.K]

Welcome back

Friday Night Smackdown.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Well, I guess this means that FOX is going to be blacked out in Canada during SmackDown, as Rogers Media will not allow those here in Canada to watch the U.S. ads for the show.

X-(

I'm not Canadian but seems crazy they wouldn't just air ads for the Canada markets as opposed to U.S. ones. Is that not what's done by whoever airs RAW up there?

[RaginRonic]

I'm not Canadian but seems crazy they wouldn't just air ads for the Canada markets as opposed to U.S. ones. Is that not what's done by whoever airs RAW up there?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simultaneous_substitution

That will tell you how U.S. TV shows are aired in Canada, whether live or on tape.

That's how the TV world works here in Canada.

=P

[Juan]

Cool

[Jordan]

This is great. I think Tuesday was an okay day for Smackdown live but ultimately it was too much WWE too often. Putting the show on Friday is solid idea, I hope two things, that it stays live and it stays 2 hours.

[Destor]

This is great. I think Tuesday was an okay day for Smackdown live but ultimately it was too much WWE too often. Putting the show on Friday is solid idea, I hope two things, that it stays live and it stays 2 hours.

No its not. Do you even history?

[LibSuperstar]

No its not. Do you even history?

Did you prefer SmackDown on Thursdays?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Awful deal for fox

Great idea for WWE though :lol:

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Wonder of the McMahon/Trump connection aided this deal. Helps to know/work for people in high places.

[Destor]

Did you prefer SmackDown on Thursdays?
The ratings were better on THUR. I dont have a preference.
Great idea for WWE though :lol:Got that shit right.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I honestly believe it's the Trump connection. In which case, good for them. Eons better deal than their current.

[Destor]

Fox has made awful deals for live sports in the past with the UFC and NFL so its basically a pattern at this point.

[LibSuperstar]

Fox has made awful deals for live sports in the past with the UFC and NFL so its basically a pattern at this point.

Awful in what way?

[Destor]

financially poor decisions

[Destor]

for example the UFC deal cost them a lot of money; they are now looking into splitting the fees with ESPN to make it affordable.

[Destor]

and the 3.3 Billion they spent on Thursday night football likely will be a loss too unless the game on Thursday (continue) to approve

[LibSuperstar]

for example the UFC deal cost them a lot of money; they are now looking into splitting the fees with ESPN to make it affordable.

and the 3.3 Billion they spent on Thursday night football likely will be a loss too unless the game on Thursday (continue) to approve

Oh wow

[erickman]

and the 3.3 Billion they spent on Thursday night football likely will be a loss too unless the game on Thursday (continue) to approve

I wonder if they are working with amazon to cut the cost, since amazon twitch is showing thur night football

[Outsider]

Are networks able to cancel shows they have contracted for a certain time? Are there break clauses or are they essentially now showing Smackdown until the contract runs out whether it performs well or not?

[Destor]

Depends on the contract. Typically there will be stips on boths sides. Fox can back out if the show fails to do x but if they back out with out the show meeting those standards then the wwe would be entitled to y

[Emperor Smeat]

Are networks able to cancel shows they have contracted for a certain time? Are there break clauses or are they essentially now showing Smackdown until the contract runs out whether it performs well or not?

Yes. Networks do have "opt out" clauses considering Impact Wrestling got affected by it when they were on Destination America. POP TV supposedly had a similar one in length but didn't activate it. USA Network almost triggered their's with RAW in the 90s.

Like Destor mentioned, it all depends on the contract but very likely FOX has one in the new Smackdown deal. With the amount of money they are throwing around and WWE not being an actual sport, FOX would be foolish to not have one.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I wonder if this will positively impact the writing/direciton.

It's interesting. Being on network means that there is going to, obviously, be that larger audience for them, which should make it more of a priority. SmackDown being on a network television helped them appeal to Hispanic viewers when they had Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio.

How much have certain stars been crucial in the negotiations? The rumors were that Ronda Rousey was being touted as a huge star for them, but if she is going to play a role on SmackDown, then she's obviously got to be on that show.

It being on a Friday makes me think that they're going for kids, older crowds -- which is never good from the WWE, haha. What's this going to do the WWE schedule? Are they just going to do shows on Friday and Tuesday because a house show date, or are they going to try and do Monday, Tuesday and Friday with a third brand being added or something? I guess they're under no obligation to leave 205 Live on Tuesdays, and there's no guarantee it will even be going come 2019.

This could mean the end to the brand split, or it could mean renewed focus on them as "unique" television presentations. It's got my interest piqued. Something about a FOX/WWE deal seems...right. Maybe it's because I associate FOX with low-brow entertainment, haha. But this is great for their visibility -- if people want to watch.

I don't think it's all sunshine and roses for them, however, because it also creates added pressure on them to deliver. At the end of those five years, it will be interesting to see where both are. It's possible that they will also develop more content for Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, etc. It wouldn't surprise me to see Main Event, 205 Live and NXT end up shuffled somewhere in there, or FOX to get an occasional special in order to pad out their line-up, drive up interest, etc.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Wonder of the McMahon/Trump connection aided this deal. Helps to know/work for people in high places.

I don't think it hurts them. Feels like they are philosophically in-line with Fox's positions, which removes one obstacle. The general wrestling fan is probably someone that Fox can easily market too, as well. Well, the old stereotypical one. I think a lot of those fans have gone elsewhere by this point.

[KIRA]

This is great. I think Tuesday was an okay day for Smackdown live but ultimately it was too much WWE too often. Putting the show on Friday is solid idea, I hope two things, that it stays live and it stays 2 hours.

I don't know that Friday is that good a deal people tend to go out on Fridays

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE should have had FOX move <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SDLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SDLive</a> to Mondays so WWE could reignite the Monday Night Wars with themselves.</p>&mdash; The Ultimate Worrier (@WorrierMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorrierMN/status/998606124655022081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I made this joke in the Raw/USA deal thread, but if they could get NBC on-board with it (and that would be the hardest part), I don't think it is actually as nutter-butter insane as that first looks.

Okay, it seems pretty insane, but the fact that they are a cable channel and a network makes the idea more workable. You are going to have people that don't have USA watching SmackDown, but Raw comes with the larger WWE audience. In a weird sort of way, I can see it boosting the overall viewership, because I don't think the split would be that much.

So instead of 3 million people watching Raw on Monday and then 2 million watching SmackDown on Tuesday, I think you could have 2.5 million people watching Raw and 2 million watching SmackDown. That's 4.5 million for WWE, which hopefully drives up interest in both shows over time. It'd be an "investment" for NBC, and would need to be pitched as such. But it's something you could always change if it just cuts into Raw's audience and SmackDown doesn't get a boost from being on a network and the idea of competition isn't driving up the ratings.

Ideally, since Vince and Kevin Dunn can't be in two places at once, this would allow for two completely different styles of production and, hopefully, creative (Vince would no doubt still be involved, but he can't be as "hands on").

Weirdly enough, I think it would be worth a shot. In a "real world angle" sort of way, it might be a way to get people talking if you can get it past investors and NBC as anything other than "Why the fuck would you shoot yourself in the foot?"

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't know that Friday is that good a deal people tend to go out on Fridays

Not so much children and old white men.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally, it seemed the roster split was designed to create internal competition, and stories over the years have actually kind of supported that. But when you have them on separate nights and want them both to do well without risking any scraped needs, it's never going to really approach that same level of competition. They don't even really feel as distinctly separate as Coke and Sprite do.

[slik]

Come October next year a large dog will be probably be invading the yard surrounding the house that AJ Styles built

[slik]

Meltz on SD being the new "A" show once it moves to FOX:

<iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/jx3xik20/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[Ruien]

UFC gets 1.5 billion deal for 5 years with ESPN.

[Ruien]

Everyone is rolling in money.

[Ruien]

I BROKE NEWS BEFORE SMEAT AND SLIK SUCK MY DICK

[slik]

bah gawd almighty i have been hit w/ a chair like a guv'ment mule

[erickman]

UFC gets 1.5 billion deal for 5 years with ESPN.

now Disney overpaid, well that's where fox got a billion to pay for smackdown.

[slik]

Plot Twist: NBCUniversal's parent company, Comcast, is countering Disney's offer to buy FOX, rumored at 60 billion to Disney's 52 billion.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Comcast says it's preparing to top Disney's bid for most of 21st Century Fox with an all-cash offer <a href="https://t.co/F1S2EyQyCY">https://t.co/F1S2EyQyCY</a> <a href="https://t.co/cXVHnmfL77">pic.twitter.com/cXVHnmfL77</a></p>&mdash; CNN (@CNN) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN/status/999328669398003713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Well technically Comcast nor Disney is buying the FOX Network or FOX News just everything else (Disney can't buy Fox Sports b/c ESPN...but NBCUniversal can).

[Destor]

Thats week old news...how is NBC just now reporting it?

[Destor]

*CNN

[Destor]

Shit first reported on the 8th

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/05/08/comcast-preparing-60-billion-all-cash-offer-for-fox-assets.html

[slik]

damn @ CNN being lazy af

[Emperor Smeat]

Turns out UFC's deal with ESPN might be even more crazy than the bumps WWE got with the NBC and FOX deals. Also seemed ESPN learned nothing from their recent financial struggles when it came to handing out bloated contracts.

If we go with the idea each live show is six hours, then ESPN+ is getting 150 hours of the 204 hours of live programming.

It’s probably not fair to see ESPN+ is where 73.5 percent of the $300 million is spent, because the 54 hours of ESPN content will be bigger names, but if we say that 60 percent of the value, or $180 million, is related to ESPN+, and if the average viewer is paying $55 per year, that means to break even on the streaming pay, the UFC fan base alone has to increase the number of subscriptions by 3.27 million new subscribers each year in the United States alone. That is a completely insane and unfathomable number. And keep in mind of that $55 per year, much of that will be going to the cost of the site, so in reality the number they will need is far greater. For example, WWE on its $9.99 per month deal was only making a little over $2 per month in actual profit once you tack on things like production costs of all the shows and all the other costs of the network. Since UFC is paying for production, that’s a different factor, but you’re also talking about a network at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.

[slik]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wrestling-rights-shakeup-fox-nabs-wwe-espn-signs-ufc-nbc-gets-raw-1115156


"They're embarrassed by your product,” Rupert Murdoch said of USA Network’s handling of the pro wrestling promotion before offering $1.025 billion over five years for 'Smackdown'.

Murdoch added that FOX would fully embrace WWE, with SmackDown promos airing every single night of the week, along with a weekly studio show on FS1."

[erickman]

that sounds like main event is going to fs1

[Simple Fan]

It's says studio show so I'd assume it'd be something like SportsNation only dedicated to WWE.

[slik]

Talking Smack plz

[Jordan]

Yeah Talking Smack has got to get that deal.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Yeah Talking Smack has got to get that deal.

Talking Smack is a deal breaker. No deal without it

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EXCLUSIVE: <br><br>NXT Will Air On FOX/FS1 Programming As Part Of The New TV Deal In 2019. This Expansion Is Another Step In WWE's Attempt To Give Larger Audiences Viewers A Convenient Way To Watch All Of WWE's Product <a href="https://t.co/uExVSIR4RN">pic.twitter.com/uExVSIR4RN</a></p>&mdash; SW (@SliceWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/SliceWrestling/status/1001947786219327488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not surprised that NXT is going there. I figured 205 Live might as well, if just as supplementary material to fill time on the networks and float their stuff.

[Emperor Smeat]

Not surprised that NXT is going there. I figured 205 Live might as well, if just as supplementary material to fill time on the networks and float their stuff.

That and WWE likely realized the Network is never going to grow to the level they want. They wanted to be at the 4-5 million paid subs range by now and only recently reached the 2 million mark combined with free and paid subs.

Make a ton more money airing NXT episodes on tv than to just keep it on the Network at this point. Same for them considering the idea of selling off the Big 4 to tv networks.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was thinking Triple H would be trying to get NXT on ESPN when they were working closely together. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if they put a whole bunch of stuff on FS1/FS2. Mixed Match Challenge, FOX Fatal 4-Way, Main Event, etc.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A former Fox staffer is quoted in the THR story: &quot;&quot;We could not sell UFC...And wrestling is family friendly. If you have wrestling you can find cash. I think it's a big win for Fox; it's a great trade-off.&quot;</p>&mdash; John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjohnpollock/status/1001858520650727424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[BigCrippyZ]

That and WWE likely realized the Network is never going to grow to the level they want. They wanted to be at the 4-5 million paid subs range by now and only recently reached the 2 million mark combined with free and paid subs.

To be fair, if the WWE's product (with a few rare exceptions) in the last 10+ years wasn't absolute shit, that has actually gotten worse in the last 5+ years, they probably could've gotten way closer to that number. Instead though, they thought they could continue to phone it in without having to make any real changes or put in any real work, and that'd be enough for them to reach their goals.

[Ruien]

If they only have 2 to 3 million viewers per show why would they have 5 million laying subscribers?

[Emperor Smeat]

It was part of some weird math WWE was doing to hype up the Network's debut. Forgot if it was Vince or someone else in the WWE that actually stated they had around 50-100 million fans in the US or some other crazy stat that overly inflated the Network's hype to investors.

Its a big reason why their stocks declined hard shortly after the Network's debut when investors actually managed to see right through WWE's BS claims.

[Juan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EXCLUSIVE: <br><br>NXT Will Air On FOX/FS1 Programming As Part Of The New TV Deal In 2019. This Expansion Is Another Step In WWE's Attempt To Give Larger Audiences Viewers A Convenient Way To Watch All Of WWE's Product <a href="https://t.co/uExVSIR4RN">pic.twitter.com/uExVSIR4RN</a></p>&mdash; SW (@SliceWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/SliceWrestling/status/1001947786219327488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meltz says this is “not a true story”

[Mr. Nerfect]

That's a shame, because I would like NXT to get more exposure and get presented as more of a "brand." NXT as developmental is an idea that isn't working.

[Big Vic]

RIP WWE Network

[slik]

WWE refers to #SDLive as it's "flagship show" in the official announcement of SD moving to FOX in October 2019.

https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/smackdown-live-fox-october-2019?sf192637728=1

[Emperor Smeat]

Post Wrestling on some of the expectations FOX will have for Smackdown and why its not guaranteed Smackdown stays as a primetime show on the network.

WWE pretty much needs to double what they currently get for Smackdown now just to hit close to the average FOX gets for Friday's primetime. Even if it does happen, FOX still going to struggle competing with other networks.

In 2018, SmackDown Live is averaging 2,515,000 viewers on the USA Network, which is a very respectable viewership average on cable but falls below the network average for Fox. From October 2017 – February 2018, Fox averaged 5,892,000 viewers for their prime-time programming and were trailing NBC, CBS, and ABC. Unlike Raw, SmackDown will find itself in a position where they will need to grow their audience to maintain the status of a prime-time network show on Fox. It is also a new type of product that Fox is going to have to go out and sell to make back their big investment. We saw the lengths that NBC Universal has gone to since the last contract negotiation in 2014 to sell the product, by integrating the WWE with examples like John Cena regularly appearing on the ‘Today Show’, various campaigns they have run and what has led to the WWE having a higher status among advertisers and programmers.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

It's going to FoxSports1 isn't it? Did they change their minds again?

[Emperor Smeat]

That was the rumor if FOX got both RAW and Smackdown. Newest rumor is NXT possibly going to FS1.

[Simple Fan]

NXT on FS1 would be great.

[Mr. Nerfect]

One more step towards it becoming a completely autonomous brand, I guess.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Pro Wrestling Sheet and BodySlam.com, WWE is currently rumored to make an official announcement next week of NXT moving to FS1.

FOX is also currently rumored to be getting a revival of Saturday Night’s Main Event show on their main network as part of the tv deal done with the WWE.

[Emperor Smeat]

Details via the Observer on the revival of the revival of Saturday Night's Main Event:

I have learned that an occasional special event, thought to be a reboot of Saturday Night's Main Event, will be televised once WWE enters its new television deals with Fox and NBCU. The special is expected to happen several times throughout the year, with each event being strategically placed before big dates, like the Saturday night before the NFL's Super Bowl. Airing of the events would be split between NBC and Fox. WWE was scheduled to announce this between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019.

Saturday Night's Main Event, which was first launched in 1985, was a massive ratings success for WWE by 1987. The show is often remembered for its battle royal involving Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan, before their match at WrestleMania III. WWE attempted to relaunch the show on NBC between 2006 and 2008 but didn't seem to quite capture the magic of the original.

Also Observer confirmed Pro Wrestling Sheet and BodySlam.com reports of NXT moving to FS1 and an official announcement expected to be made very soon.

Fox has also agreed in principle to air NXT on Fox Sports 1. While the contract hasn't been signed yet, it's considered to be a done deal. WWE was originally scheduled to announce this during SummerSlam weekend, although it could take place sooner now. The possibility of adding more NXT TakeOver shows and airing them on Fox is also being considered.

NXT TakeOver shows will also expand by one hour, and start airing at 7:00 PM ET. That change is expected to take place probably by November.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The return of Saturday Night's Main Event makes sense. I hope they get JR to do the commentary for them.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I have fox sports go so nxt potentially on the app might get some looks from me

[Mr. Nerfect]

It won't happen, but I'd laugh if it started drawing more than Raw.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd be fine with Neville, Sasha Banks and Bayley going to NXT as more permanent players. With it being on television, the idea of it being developmental should be done and dusted. It's the boutique brand of WWE now. If Vince stays out of it, it could be the closest thing WWE has to giving itself real competition.

[Tom Guycott]

One more step towards it becoming a completely autonomous brand, I guess.

One could only hope. Seems stupid business wise, but for the good of wrestling overall, they could use stepping out of the shadow of big brother and begin to deviate away from main roster being the endgame.

Hell, I'd be nice to see HHH just buy the damn thing from Vince and essentially do what Shane was rumored to be planning to do with ECW. A small market, touring brand that actually draws money, has a rabid, loyal fanbase, and doesn't need to shuffle everyone upward to fail 19 out of 20 times.

[Big Vic]

I remember the last run of SNME was awful. They only cared about the first 2, RVD fucked up the 2nd and everyshow after that was bad.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I forget that even when they try they can't really capture magic these days. The Raw show at the start of this year is a perfect example of that.

[Helmsphere]

I remember the last run of SNME was awful. They only cared about the first 2, RVD fucked up the 2nd and everyshow after that was bad.

I only remember the ones after for different reasons. Like Finlay out of nowhere doing the Boogeyman strut to mock Boogie and John Cena and Khali having a match, literally one day before they had a WWE Title Match at a ppv.

[Big Vic]

Oh right and Khali got the 3 count with just his foot on his chest.

[Helmsphere]

Oh right and Khali got the 3 count with just his foot on his chest.

Yeah, pretty much was a squash match.

[Helmsphere]

Also was weird because you know, it opened the show on SNME, yet it was the headliner the following night?

Stupid stupid stupid

[#1-norm-fan]

I think the reasoning for that was they were just trying to give SNME the "old school feel" by having the show open with the main event.

[Big Vic]

By the time the match is over anyone with out cable can't really switch over to a drama ten minutes in.

[Droford]

I wonder if NXT will be live? Id think FOX would want that.

[Destor]

I think it has to be. Live programming is specifically what theyre purchasing

[Droford]

correct me if im wrong but NXT has never been live outside of takeovers...

[KIRA]

I forget that even when they try they can't really capture magic these days. The Raw show at the start of this year is a perfect example of that.

Part of it is they try to control every goddamn and when they get something that's genuine they don't know what to do with it they either take notice way too late for it to matter or they take notice early and run it into the ground

[Mr. Nerfect]

But they can't control it very well. They had people falling asleep because they couldn't run in two places at the same time. Creatively that's true though, but their production is surprisingly shitty.

[Emperor Smeat]

correct me if im wrong but NXT has never been live outside of takeovers...

Think only the Seasons era was.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I thought those were taped prior to SmackDown?

[Destor]

Didnt they take the ecw spot which was live after sd! Was taped?

[Mr. Nerfect]

It took the ECW spot, but I thought that was taped on Tuesday, but apparently it aired on Tuesday too. Had no clue it was live.

[Emperor Smeat]

Velocity and Superstars used to be taped before Smackdown.

Besides taking ECW's spot, NXT's Seasonal era also had a fan voting system factor in its reasons for being live.