In the past, hearing a CFO of a major media company like Fox talking about pro wrestling would be unheard of but the sport is undergoing something of a resurgence and SmackDown Live heading to Fox on Friday nights in 2019 is going to bring more eyes to the product than ever before in the modern era.
"It’s a 50 to 52-week-a-year sport with no repeats. It’s a new novella every week," John Nallen, the senior executive VP and CFO for 21st Century Fox, said in a recent interview, comparing WWE to a number of other big sports and addressing why it's a draw. "For us to have that kind of appointment programming, that audience, every week of the year, is a really unique opportunity for us."
One of the biggest draws for Fox, however, is locking up that Friday night slot with consistent programming. "To lock up a Friday night and just not have to focus on programming it from an entertainment standpoint." That means a number of other shows will now have to find a new home.
Are you excited to see SmackDown Live on Fox next October? Let us know your thoughts down below.