Tag: USA Network

WWE’s Longtime TV Partner USA Network Sold To Versant

A major shift in the television landscape has quietly closed the book on one of WWE’s most important partnerships of the modern era.

This week, USA Network officially separated from NBCUniversal as Versant completed its debut on NASDAQ, finalizing the sale of NBCUniversal’s cable holdings. With the move, USA Network is now fully owned by Versant, bringing an end to a relationship between NBCUniversal and USA that stretched back more than two decades.

For wrestling fans, the news carries significant historical weight. USA Network has been synonymous with WWE programming for much of the past 30 years. WWE RAW famously debuted on USA in 1993, helping redefine weekly pro wrestling television and becoming one of cable’s most consistent primetime draws. Although RAW briefly left the network in 2000, it returned in 2005 and remained a cornerstone of USA’s lineup for nearly 20 years.

USA’s ties to WWE didn’t stop there. The network has aired SmackDown during several major runs, most recently bringing the blue brand back in 2024. NXT also joined USA in 2019, giving the network a period where all three of WWE’s flagship weekly shows aired under the same roof — a rare and highly influential stretch for both sides.

The USA Network–NBC connection dates back to 2004, when NBCUniversal unified its broadcast and cable properties. Over the next 21 years, that partnership became deeply intertwined with WWE’s rise during the cable television boom of the 2000s and 2010s. This week’s separation officially closes that chapter, with both brands now moving forward independently.

Under Versant’s ownership, USA Network joins a portfolio that includes CNBC, E!, Syfy, Golf Channel, Oxygen, Rotten Tomatoes, and Fandango. The restructuring reshapes the broader entertainment landscape and could have ripple effects across sports and live programming as new strategies take shape.

While WWE’s current television plans — including SmackDown’s ongoing run — are not immediately affected, the sale could play a role in future rights negotiations once existing deals expire. As the media industry continues to evolve, USA Network’s sale marks a turning point for one of cable television’s most iconic homes for professional wrestling.

WWE Confirms Five-Year Media Rights Deals With Fox And USA Network

WWE and the USA Network issued the following today:

USA Network and WWE® Monday Night Raw® Extend Long-Standing Partnership

Three-Hour Live Programming Block to Continue Weekly on Cable’s #1 Entertainment Network

NEW YORK & STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– USA Network and WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced a five-year extension for WWE’s flagship program Monday Night Raw. The new agreement for the live, weekly three-hour block which commences in October 2019 continues WWE and USA’s nearly three decade-long relationship. Monday Night Raw, the #1 show on USA Network, delivers action, drama, compelling storylines and unmatched athleticism, 52 weeks per year.

“Monday Night Raw and USA Network have dominated Monday nights during a truly historic run,” says Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “Our partnership with WWE is one of the strongest and most successful in the business, and together we’ll take Raw to even greater heights.”

“We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with NBCUniversal and USA Network,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Monday Night Raw has been synonymous with USA Network and we are excited about what the future holds for WWE’s flagship program.”

On the air for 25 years and more than 1,300 episodes, Monday Night Raw is the longest-running weekly episodic television show in U.S. primetime history and consistently a ratings juggernaut. Among the most-watched, regularly scheduled programs on primetime cable, Raw delivers more viewers in the U.S.than all sports other than the NFL. On USA Network, the weekly block is currently averaging 1.7M P18-49, 1.7M P25-54 and 3.6M total viewers P2+1.

Since its debut in 1993 on USA, Raw has been watched nearly 6 billion times in the U.S. alone. In its 25-year history, Raw has helped launch the careers of pop-culture icons including Dwayne “The Rock®” Johnson, John Cena®, Undertaker®, Triple H®, “Stone Cold®” Steve Austinand The Bella Twins™.

1Source: Nielsen NNTV, 2018 YTD through May (1/1/18-5/31/18), Live+7 Average Viewers for selected demographics (P18-49, P25-54, P2+).

WWE and FOX issued the following today:

FOX Sports Becomes New Home of SmackDown® Live

06/26/2018 – NEW YORK & STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– For the first time, every Friday night beginning October 4, 2019, FOX broadcast network will air WWE®’s flagship program SmackDown Live as part of a new five-year agreement with FOX Sports. The weekly, two-hour live event will air 52 weeks a year and captivate fans with a unique combination of edge-of-your-seat action, unpredictable drama and world-class athleticism.

“At FOX we are thrilled to welcome WWE to the FOX Sports family and bring SmackDown Live to broadcast television,” said Eric Shanks, President, COO and Executive Producer FOX Sports. “We are huge fans and know that together FOX Sports will be the leader in live events for the foreseeable future.”

“WWE and FOX are a perfect match,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Moving SmackDown Live to broadcast TV and having the ability to leverage FOX’s extensive portfolio of world-class sporting events will expand the reach of our flagship programming.”

SmackDown Live is a consistent winner on television, currently averaging1 1.3M P18-49, 1.3M P25-54 and 3M total viewers P2+.

On air for almost 20 years and nearly 1,000 episodes, SmackDown Live is the second-longest running weekly episodic cable television show in U.S. primetime history, only behind Monday Night Raw®. SmackDown Live is currently among the most-watched, regularly scheduled programs on primetime cable and delivers more viewers in primetime than any cable network in the U.S. (2.9 million average viewers).

SmackDownLive has also helped launch the careers of pop-culture icons including Dwayne “The Rock®” Johnson, John Cena®, Undertaker®, Triple H®, “Stone Cold®” Steve Austin and The Bella Twins™.

1: Source: Nielsen NNTV, 2018 YTD through April (1/1/18-4/30/18), Live+7 Average Viewers for selected demographics (P18-49, P25-54, P2+).

WWE Announced WWE Week On USA Network – Slammy Awards, SmackDown, Tribute To The Troops & More

WWE announced the following:

USA Network and WWE will kick off the holiday season with an action-packed “WWE Week.” The week begins Sunday, December 20, with “Santa’s Little Helper” starring The Miz & Paige, followed by Monday Night RAW and the 2015 WWE Slammy Awards on Monday December 21, a live SmackDown on Tuesday, December 22, and a two-hour WWE Tribute to the Troops special on Wednesday, December 23.

WWE also takes over USA Daytime from 11 AM to 3 PM Monday, December 21, through Friday, December 24, as host Cat Greenleaf conducts interviews from her iconic stoop with WWE Superstars and Divas.

USA Network Officially Announces WWE SmackDown Premiere

The USA Network officially announced today that WWE SmackDown will premiere on USA Network Thursday, January 7th, 2016 at 8/7c. The SmackDown debut on USA on January 7th will be the 855th episode and will take place in Laredo, Texas.

There was rumors and speculation that when SmackDown moved from Syfy to USA that it would change to Tuesday nights and would air as a live 3-hour show, but after today’s announcement by USA Network it appears that for a least awhile SmackDown will air as the usual 2-hour taped show on Thursday nights.

USA Network Heat On WWE Tough Enough?

According to The Wrestling Observer, sources at the USA Network indicate that officials there believe pro wrestling’s popularity is cycling downward, which is indicated by the decline in ratings.

In regards to disappointing numbers for WWE Tough Enough, it was noted by The Observer that USA feels the format of Tough Enough, with how it’s taped and live, isn’t working because it doesn’t give the Tough Enough judges enough time to make fair decisions, and the fans are only given a few minutes instead of a whole day or week to vote. They feel this turns off the audience and leads to a poor word of mouth buzz.

USA officials also reportedly feel like Steve Austin was a dynamic presence with charisma that carried the previous Tough Enough season and current host Chris Jericho is seen more like a game show host. There is no blame or heat on Jericho but they are blaming  the show’s format because it feels more like a game show instead of a reality TV competition. USA is also reportedly concern with how the last two Tough Enough winners, Daniel Puder and Andy Leavine, were released before never amounting to anything in WWE. The original idea behind Tough Enough was that the winner gets a WWE contract and is expected to become a star but there’s a feeling now that winning the show means nothing so fans don’t care.

Source: WrestlingINC.com

WWE Tough Enough Returning In June

The WWE Reality Series Tough Enough is returning to the USA Network this June. USA Network announced the renewal of WWE Tough Enough, premiering Tuesday, June 23 at 8/7c. The reimagined series will feature an all-new format with live elements and more fan participation than ever before.

SmackDown Moving To USA Network

WWE and USA Network announced that SmackDown will be moving to the USA Network in the first quarter of 2016.

“WWE is proud to have SmackDown join Raw as part of our expanded partnership with USA Network.” said WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Vince McMahon. “The combination of the #1 cable network and two rating juggernauts provide a destination for our viewers and an extraordinary platform fr our partners.”

“WWE consistently delivers one of the largest and most socially engaged live audiences in entertainment and we’re excited to expand our long-standing relationship and be true cable home for the WWE fan,” said USA Network President Chris McCumber.

Huge Ratings For Post-WrestleMania 31 Episode Of RAW

The USA Network issued the following:

USA NETWORK’S WWE ‘MONDAY NIGHT RAW’ ATTRACTS LARGEST AUDIENCE IN NEARLY THREE YEARS

5.4 Million Total Viewers Tuned-In to See Their Favorite WWE Superstars Live, Following a Record-Breaking WrestleMania

New York, NY – April 1, 2105 – Following WRESTLEMANIA 31, where Seth Rollins won his first WWE World Heavyweight Championship, this week’s WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW delivered 2.4 million adults 18-49, 2.4 million adults 25-54 and 5.4 million total viewers from 8-11 p.m. (live + same). This is the highest total viewers for RAW in nearly three years, since July 23, 2012, the night of the RAW 1000 special.

Monday’s RAW was televised live from the SAP Center in San Jose, CA, and was highlighted by Brock Lesnar challenging Rollins, the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, to a rematch; United States Champion John Cena defending his title against Dean Ambrose; and Intercontinental Champion defeating Dolph Ziggler.

Monday’s RAW was up vs. last week’s telecast by 27% in adults 18-49, 24% in adults 25-54 and 28% in total viewers 2+. USA was the #1 network Monday night in primetime in adults 18-34 as well as men 18-34 and 18-49 for all of television including the broadcast networks.

RAW was also the #2 most social show of the day with 400,000 tweets, reaching a unique audience of 3.6 million people generating 27 million impressions.

The Miz Guest Stars On Sirens

WWE Superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin will guest star on the USA Network series, Sirens, tonight at 10:30/9:30 CT.