WWE Confirms New Deal with NBCUniversal

As we previously reported, WWE and NBCUniversal reportedly had a deal in place. The deal would keep both “Monday Night Raw” and “WWE Smackdown” on USA Network and SyFy respectively. In our previous report, it was noted that the deal would likely be announced on Thursday, May 15, at NBCUniversal’s upfronts.

Our previous report was indeed correct as WWE announced its new deal with NBCUniversal on Thursday.

Below is WWE’s statement, including comments from Vince McMahon:

“NEW YORK AND STAMFORD — NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced a multi-year strategic partnership for WWE’s flagship programming and ratings juggernauts Monday Night Raw for a three-hour block on USA Network and the top-rated Friday Night SmackDown on Syfy. The two programs are the longest-running weekly episodic entertainment programs on cable TV with a combined reach of 10.8 million viewers each week. The announcement was made today by Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President Talent, Live Events & Creative, from the stage at the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment upfront presentation at the Javitz Center in New York.

“USA Network President Chris McCumber, Syfy President Dave Howe and I are incredibly pleased to renew this strategic partnership with WWE,” said NBCUniversal Cable Chairman Bonnie Hammer. “In today’s TV landscape, live event programming is an extraordinarily valuable asset, and WWE remains the only entertainment franchise that consistently delivers this on a 52-week a year basis. We look forward to bringing WWE’s action-packed and unique brand of drama to the wide audiences across our cable networks for many years to come.”

“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with NBCUniversal given their premiere position in the marketplace and vast promotional platforms,” said WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon. “We are excited about our future as we further the reach and popularity of our live, family-friendly entertainment programming 52 weeks a year.”

WWE weekly programming averages more viewers than the NBA, NASCAR, MLB, NHL and UFC. Both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown feature a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars and Divas, and deliver a shot of adrenaline to viewers with over-the-top action, feats of athleticism and high octane drama.

Monday Night Raw on USA is the most-watched, regularly scheduled, year-round program on cable, airing a live three-hour block every Monday night, 52 weeks a year. Raw has been a cable mainstay for more than 20 years and is consistently a top ten show on television. The three-hour block on USA averages 2.2 million viewers 18-49, 2.3 million viewers 25-54 and 5 million total viewers age two or over. The two-hour Friday Night SmackDown on Syfy averages 1.2 million viewers 18-49, 1.3 million viewers 25-54 and 3.2 million total viewers age two and up. The two programs have reached 37.5 million people in 2014 to date.

In addition, E! — in partnership with WWE and Bunim-Murray Productions — will continue to broadcast the reality series Total Divas, an unprecedented look inside the professional and personal lives of the WWE’s leading ladies.”

Editor’s Note

Nice to see some closure on the deal. It will be interesting to see where both “Monday Night Raw” and “Smackdown” go from here.