WWE's 'Friday Night SmackDown' Changing Networks In New Media Rights Deal

STAMFORD, CT — World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., now part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., and NBCUniversal have agreed to a five-year demostic media rights partnership that will bring "Friday Night SmackDown" back to USA Network beginning in October 2024.

CNBC reported that the deal comes out to an average of $287 million per year, a total value of over $1.4 billion.

The two-hour weekly program that features many WWE superstars like John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Rey Mysterio, has aired on Fox since 2019. Prior to that, the show was on USA Network from 2016 to 2019.

Additionally, beginning in 2024/2025, WWE will produce four primetime specials per year that will air on NBC, the company announced in a news release. This will mark the first time WWE will air on the network in primetime.

"NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades," said WWE President Nick Khan in a news release. "We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown to USA Network on Friday nights and look forward to debuting multiple WWE special events annually on NBC."

WWE noted that "SmackDown" is one of television's longest running programs, and regularly rates as the No. 1 show in the 18 to 49 advertising demographic on Friday nights. The show debuted in 1999.

"It’s a privilege and thrill to continue NBCU’s decades-long partnership with WWE which has helped cement USA Network’s consistent position as the top-rated cable entertainment network in live viewership," said Frances Berwick, chairman, NBCUniversal Entertainment, in a news release. "With Friday nights on USA, primetime specials on NBC, and the WWE hub on Peacock, we’ll continue to use the power of our portfolio to super-serve this passionate fanbase."

USA Network is currently home to "WWE NXT" and "WWE Monday Night Raw," which is the No. 2 cable entertainment program in 2023 in the 18-49 demo, WWE said.

The company noted that WWE NXT (+27 percent) and WWE Monday Night Raw (+15 percent) are up double-digits year-over-year in the target demographic.

"WWE Monday Night Raw" and "WWE NXT" will continue to air on USA Network through September 2024, WWE said.

WWE just completed its merger with Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., the parent company that runs Ultimate Fighting Championship.