There has been a potential indication of what the future spells for WWE SmackDown’s future on the FOX Network.
The recent cancellation of a popular FOX-produced WWE podcast may spell out a change of network for the blue brand once the existing TV deal expires.
Explaining that despite SmackDown’s consistently strong ratings, it may not be cost-effective enough to retain, Meltzer writes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:
FOX has canceled its “Out of Character” WWE podcast. Some see that as another sign that Smackdown will be moving from FOX at the end of the current contract.
Analysts have believed that for some time, that even with the ratings the show delivers that it isn’t cost-effective, especially if WWE wants the $205 million per year deal to increase to $310 million.
Still, the show wins the night almost every week of late and numbers are gaining so they could change the outcome of that.
It also does lower ad rates than the other network programming on Friday because of the stigma of wrestling and wrestling fans to network advertisers.
Earlier in the year, FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch discussed a renewal of their TV deal with WWE, calling them “great partners.”
Despite this, Murdoch revealed that a rental would depend on the rest of their “sports portfolio” on the network.
Yesterday a massive update was given on the sale of WWE to Endeavor and merger with the UFC under a new company titled TKO Group Holdings – to find out more click here.
Tonight’s SmackDown will be headlined by Jimmy Uso vs AJ Styles.
Think you know the most about wrestling? Join our Wrestle League predictions competition for free, and be in with the chance of winning $250 of Amazon vouchers. Make sure you subscribe to email notifications to make sure you never miss a show.
Trending
- Jade Cargill Addresses First One-On-One WWE Loss
- Bayley Makes Interesting Pitch To WWE Following Queen Of The Ring Tournament
- LA Knight Sends Message To The Bloodline After WWE King Of The Ring Loss
- Change To WWE Match After Legitimate Injury Revealed?
- New WWE Show Name Revealed?
- Damian Priest Shares WWE Moment He Struggled To Stay In Character
- Challenge Issued To Tony Khan Ahead Of Upcoming Pay-Per-View
- WWE Botches Bloodline Match Announcement
- WWE Star Teases New Alliance Amid Faction Split Rumors
- WWE Star Doesn’t Feel Like He Lost After King Of The Ring Defeat