WWE SmackDown 18-49 Viewership Up 7% Ahead of Move From Fox to USA

The show has ranked No. 1 in the demo on 26 out of 36 Fridays this year, but faces a likely dip as it leaves broadcast TV

Two men with medium-toned skin engage in a choreographed pro wrestling match in a ring with numerous onlookers in the crowd surrounding them.
Roman Reigns in action with Solo Sikoa during SmackDown at BOK Center on Aug. 9, 2024 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)

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As “WWE SmackDown” shifts channels from Fox to USA Network on Friday as part of WWE’s recent rights deal, the show’s viewership has been up 7% year over year in the key 18-49 demographic, according to data from Nielsen shared by the company. “SmackDown” has averaged 840,000 viewers in the demo per week this year to date, compared with 788,000 per week in the same period in 2023.

The show faces a challenging future, with viewership numbers likely to dip given the smaller overall penetration of USA Network on cable compared with broadcast network Fox, as well as the return of college football.

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