Last SmackDown on FOX before move to USA Network struggles against NFL competition
Summary
– SmackDown’s last episode on FOX recorded 1.77 million viewers, a significant drop from the previous week.
– The 18-49 demo rating came in at 0.45, among the lowest since August 2022.
– Heavy competition from an NFL broadcast, with over 14 million viewers, contributed to the decline.
WWE SmackDown’s final episode on FOX saw a significant dip in viewership, averaging just 1.77 million viewers, down 13.8% from the prior week. This is the lowest number for a regular episode on the network, barring a special best-of episode aired in December last year.
The show also saw a notable decline in the key 18-49 demographic, securing a 0.45 rating. This marked a 15.1% drop compared to the previous week. Aside from the aforementioned best-of special, this was SmackDown’s lowest rating in the demo since August 2022 and one of the ten lowest in the show’s history on FOX.
One of the primary factors for this steep decline was the NFL game broadcasted simultaneously on Peacock, which drew over 14 million viewers. It was the first time SmackDown faced direct competition from an NFL regular season game, and the impact on the wrestling show’s ratings was significant.
Compared to the same period in 2023, SmackDown’s total viewership fell by 15.5%, while its rating in the 18-49 demo was down by 15.1%. These numbers highlight the recent challenges the show has faced, especially when going up against major sporting events.
This episode marked the end of SmackDown’s run on FOX, with the show set to return to USA Network this coming Friday. WWE hopes to recover its audience numbers as it transitions back to the network where SmackDown aired for many years.
For context, over the past 11 weeks, SmackDown’s viewership has fluctuated. Still, this week’s episode saw a sharp 19.7% drop in overall viewership and a 26.2% decline in the 18-49 demo compared to its 10-week average. The move to USA Network presents a challenge and an opportunity for WWE to rebuild its viewership base.
