WWE is enjoying a booming period in their company’s history, and new television rights deals are set to inject a ton of guaranteed money into their coffers. Although SmackDown is moving networks, the WWE Universe will not have to change their weekly schedule to see it.
WWE plans to keep SmackDown on Friday nights when they move to the USA Network in October 2024, according to Dave Meltzer. The move is somewhat surprising, because Friday is a very competitive night and USA has more flexibility to move the show than Fox did.
WWE had the option to schedule SmackDown on any day of the week, such as Wednesday or Thursday, which typically face less sports competition than Fridays. Specifically, moving SmackDown to Wednesdays could have been a strategic move against AEW, which broadcasts its Dynamite show on the same day.
WWE’s New Television Rights Deals
WWE is embarking on new television rights agreements beginning in October 2024. NXT will transition to The CW, while SmackDown shifts to the USA Network.
Friday Night SmackDown is set to air on the USA Network beginning September 13, 2024. NBC has agreed to pay $287 million annually for the U.S. broadcasting rights to SmackDown, totaling over $1.4 billion on a five-year deal. Additionally, NXT has secured a five-year media rights agreement with The CW, valued between $20 million and $25 million each year. This deal represents a 70% increase from its previous contract with NBCUniversal’s USA Network.
WWE RAW is set to move to Netflix starting January 2025, but it will continue airing on the USA Network until the end of 2024, despite the current deal expiring in October. For these additional three months of RAW on the USA Network, WWE will receive $25 million, a significant bargain in light of their forthcoming $500 million annual deal with Netflix, which will span 10 years.
