Kemo
11-05-2023, 10:33 PM
SmackDown's return to the USA Network could have serious implications for those working at All Elite Wrestling.
In September, news broke that SmackDown would be leaving FOX and returning to USA next year. The $1.4 billion deal will last for five years with NBCUniversal, the parent company of the USA Network. In addition to SmackDown, NBCU will also host quarterly network specials featuring WWE content.
NBCUniversal was eager to land SmackDown, which is considered by some to be WWE's top show, according to Fightful Select. Not only does SmackDown do consistently strong numbers, but the show is "football proof" as it doesn't have to compete for ratings like Monday Night Raw does.
Contacts for Warner Bros. Discovery, the host of AEW programming, confirmed a rumor to Fightful that they expect NBCU and the USA Network to make a bid for NBA programming, which for years has been a staple of TNT. If a bid is made, this would likely affect the budget that could exist for USA/Universal retaining Raw and WWE NXT. The NBA is expecting a massive increase in the TV rights in 2025-26.
Should TNT lose the NBA to NBCUniversal, it'll mean that WBD will have money previously reserved for the NBA free to use, while NBCUniversal may be less willing to keep Raw and NXT given that they will have spent a considerable sum for NBA broadcasting rights. It is unclear if WBD would make a bid for Raw and WWE NXT if NBCU opted not to keep them following the blockbuster purchase of the NBA broadcasting rights. If WBD was to acquire WWE programming, it'd raise questions about the broadcaster's future with AEW given that the two sides are yet to come to a deal.
As of a few weeks ago, AEW and WBD were unable to come to terms over a new deal that would include TV rights, pay-per-views, and AEW's library. Those at WBD stated that Tony Khan has a particular value he believes AEW's library is worth.
Warner Bros. Discovery has been very happy with its partnership with AEW and hopes for it to continue despite no deal being reached yet. When asked about the viewership numbers, one source said that it isn’t anything that the company hadn’t anticipated, especially going up against football in the fall.
In September, news broke that SmackDown would be leaving FOX and returning to USA next year. The $1.4 billion deal will last for five years with NBCUniversal, the parent company of the USA Network. In addition to SmackDown, NBCU will also host quarterly network specials featuring WWE content.
NBCUniversal was eager to land SmackDown, which is considered by some to be WWE's top show, according to Fightful Select. Not only does SmackDown do consistently strong numbers, but the show is "football proof" as it doesn't have to compete for ratings like Monday Night Raw does.
Contacts for Warner Bros. Discovery, the host of AEW programming, confirmed a rumor to Fightful that they expect NBCU and the USA Network to make a bid for NBA programming, which for years has been a staple of TNT. If a bid is made, this would likely affect the budget that could exist for USA/Universal retaining Raw and WWE NXT. The NBA is expecting a massive increase in the TV rights in 2025-26.
Should TNT lose the NBA to NBCUniversal, it'll mean that WBD will have money previously reserved for the NBA free to use, while NBCUniversal may be less willing to keep Raw and NXT given that they will have spent a considerable sum for NBA broadcasting rights. It is unclear if WBD would make a bid for Raw and WWE NXT if NBCU opted not to keep them following the blockbuster purchase of the NBA broadcasting rights. If WBD was to acquire WWE programming, it'd raise questions about the broadcaster's future with AEW given that the two sides are yet to come to a deal.
As of a few weeks ago, AEW and WBD were unable to come to terms over a new deal that would include TV rights, pay-per-views, and AEW's library. Those at WBD stated that Tony Khan has a particular value he believes AEW's library is worth.
Warner Bros. Discovery has been very happy with its partnership with AEW and hopes for it to continue despite no deal being reached yet. When asked about the viewership numbers, one source said that it isn’t anything that the company hadn’t anticipated, especially going up against football in the fall.