WWE 'Smackdown' Is Moving to a New Network in 2024
A major WWE show is moving to a new network.
The wrestling company and NBCUniversal have agreed to a five-year domestic media rights deal that will bring Friday Night SmackDown to USA Network starting in October 2024, leaving its current home on Fox.
WWE will also produce four specials a year for NBC primetime, Deadline reports.
Keep reading to find out more…
Raw, the top-rated show that also airs on USA Network on Monday, is not part of the deal.
The statement confirms that USA “is currently home to WWE Monday Night Raw and WWE NXT, which will continue to air on USA Network through September of 2024.”
“A number of players” are said to be circling Raw, Deadline adds.
Mark Shapiro, president and COO of WWE parent companies TKO Group and Endeavor, said he expected negotiation results “line with market expectations.” That could mean about a 40% raise from the previous SmackDown deal, which is reportedly in the $200 million-a year range.
SmackDown stars include John Cena, Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio.
WWE also has an exclusive U.S. streaming deal with Peacock through 2026, including original series, documentaries, content from the WWE archives and live events like WrestleMania.
WWE President Nick Khan said NBCUniversal has been “a tremendous partner” of WWE for decades.
“We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown to USA Network on Friday nights and look forward to debuting multiple WWE special events annually on NBC.”
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