Since the news broke that WWE had been acquired by UFC-owner Endeavor in a multi-billion dollar deal, we've been expecting some big changes to be made.
Behind the scenes, Triple H is now officially in charge of creative, bringing Vince McMahon's tenure to a long-overdue end. As for what we see on TV, the product has remained largely the same (just infinitely better from a creative standpoint). However, where we tune in will soon be vastly different.
SmackDown will return to the USA Network after spending the past five years on FOX and now NXT is also on the move.
Originally broadcast exclusively on the WWE Network, it later moved to USA where it went head-to-head with AEW Dynamite for a time. After recently topping that show in the ratings, it's become a hot commodity and will begin airing on The CW starting next October (likely ending any chance of the NWA heading there).
This marks the first time NXT will be aired on broadcast television, a move WWE is no doubt expecting will lead to a significant increase in terms of ratings. As for RAW, that show's fate remains up in the air.
Here's the press release sent out by WWE:
The CW Network will become the official broadcast home to WWE NXT in October 2024. The five-year agreement marks the first time in its 13-year history that WWE NXT – which showcases WWE’s hottest up-and-coming Superstars – will air on a broadcast television network. WWE NXT will debut on The CW Network in October 2024 and air 52 live weekly events throughout the season.
"We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round," said Dennis Miller, President, The CW Network. "WWE NXT is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE’s fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as WWE NXT’s new home on broadcast television."
"The CW has made impressive moves over the past year with its live sports programming schedule," said Nick Khan, WWE President. "It’s a truly exciting opportunity to expand NXT’s audience by bringing the show to broadcast television for the first time in NXT’s history."
Launched by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE NXT has aired weekly since 2012 and features the brightest young talent in sports entertainment. Nearly 90% of the participants in last year’s WrestleMania were developed under the NXT banner. Led by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, NXT is popular with younger audiences, ranking No. 1 in cable primetime on Tuesday nights last quarter among adults 18-49 and 18-34. Year to date, NXT’s average viewership is up 30% among adults 18-49. WWE Superstars, such as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, have come up through NXT.
WWE NXT joins a growing roster of live sports on The CW Network, including ACC football and basketball games airing every Saturday throughout the season and LIV Golf. The CW is also the new home of the Emmy-award winning weekly studio series “Inside the NFL” and will broadcast NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025. The network will soon offer more than 500 hours of sports programming year-round.