WWE “Smackdown” is Moving to the USA Network

WWE announced via press release on April 7 that WWE “Smackdown” is moving to the USA Network in 2016. As previously reported, the press release also revealed the premiere date for the returning WWE “Tough Enough” reality show, which will begin airing on USA on June 23.

The press release, which features comments from Vince McMahon himself on the upcoming “Smackdown” move, reads as follows,

WWE® SmackDown® Moves to USA Network in 1Q2016, Joining Monday Night Raw® and Reality Series WWE Tough Enough®

NEW YORK, NY and STAMFORD, CONN – April 7, 2015 – USA is expanding its commitment to the live action entertainment company WWE, bringing SmackDown to the network in the first quarter of 2016. Now the exclusive cable home to WWE marquee properties, USA airs the powerhouse Monday Night Raw live 52 weeks a year and the reality competition series WWE Tough Enough, which returns this summer in a reimagined format with live elements.

“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 the true cable home for the WWE fan,” said USA Network President Chris McCumber.

“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 ratings juggernauts provides a destination for our viewers and an extraordinary platform for our partners.”

Earlier this year, USA 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. In addition, WWE recently unveiled a new brand campaign “For The Hero In All of Us,” that engages consumers through #MyHeroIs, inviting fans to name their favorite WWE Superstars and share personal and inspirational stories of heroism.

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. Year-to-date Raw averages 1.95MM P18-49, 2.02MM P25-54 and 4.43MM total viewers P2+ and SmackDown averages 1.1MM P18-49, 1.22MM P25-54, and 2.86MM total viewers P2+. In 2014, Raw and SmackDown reached 55.9MM total viewers P2+.

With more than 800 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, only behind Monday Night Raw. Over the past 15 years, SmackDown has been broadcast from 170 different venues, in 148 cities, in seven different countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Japan, Italy and Mexico.

“Smackdown” originally debuted on network television, then moved to the SyFy Network in 2015. It also originally debuted on Thursday nights, moved to Fridays, and has recently returned to the original Thursday night time slot. While no premiere date for “Smackdown” on USA was announced, the press release does say that they’re moving “Smackdown” to the USA Network in the first quarter of 2016.

USA Network has been home to WWE’s flagship television program, “Monday Night Raw,” since 1993. There was a brief stint in the early 2000s where the company moved “RAW” to TNN (now SpikeTV), but returned home to USA and has been one of their highest rated programs to date.

Editor’s Note:

Wow. USA pulling “RAW” and “Smackdown” now. Would be interesting if they showed it live on Tuesdays instead of taped on Thursdays.