WWE May Air “RAW” and “Smackdown” on New Television Networks in the Fall

WWE may air “RAW” and “Smackdown” on new television networks in the fall. As we previously reported, WWE and NBCUniversal have been negotiating terms over a new contract throughout the past few months. However, as of Friday, Feb. 14, the exclusive negotiation period between both parties expired without the two companies agreeing to anything new. 

WWE released a statement on Feb. 18 stating that the company will now be interacting with different other distributors in order to find the perfect home for their live flagship television programs. No matter where “Monday Night Raw” and “Smackdown” land in the future, WWE’s current contract with NBCUniversal will keep the two broadcasts on USA Network and SyFy until Sept. 30, 2014.

The press release sent out by World Wrestling Entertainment on the matter says,

“WWE’s exclusive negotiating period with NBCU for our flagship television programs, Raw and SmackDown, has now expired. While we were unable to reach an agreement with NBCU during this period, we have certainly appreciated our long and productive partnership. With year-round, live programming that is highly coveted by programmers, distributors and advertisers, we are extremely excited about our future. We look forward to engaging with potential partners who recognize the value of having the No. 1 show on cable and live content delivered 52 weeks a year.”

Other networks such as Viacom and Turner Broadcasting have said to be in the running against NBCUniversal for the rights to “Monday Night Raw” and “Smackdown.” Viacom owns SpikeTV, which currently airs TNA Wrestling’s weekly broadcast, “IMPACT WRESTLING,” on Thursday nights. There has been a lot of talk about taking “Smackdown” live every week in the near future, which would present a higher cost of production for WWE. This is rumored to be one of the reasons why the company’s current asking price for distribution is larger than their last deal with NBCUniversal.