WWE

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.

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• fox
• Smackdown
• wwe

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