It's now been confirmed (finally) that every Friday night beginning October 4, 2019, FOX broadcast network will air WWE’s flagship program SmackDown Live as part of a new five-year agreement with FOX Sports. The weekly, two-hour live event will air 52 weeks a year and captivate fans with a unique combination of edge-of-your-seat action, unpredictable drama and world-class athleticism.
"At FOX we are thrilled to welcome WWE to the FOX Sports family and bring SmackDown Live to broadcast television," said Eric Shanks, President, COO and Executive Producer FOX Sports. "We are huge fans and know that together FOX Sports will be the leader in live events for the foreseeable future." Five years is what we'd heard and WWE will make $200 million a year.
"WWE and FOX are a perfect match," adds Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. "Moving SmackDown Live to broadcast TV and having the ability to leverage FOX’s extensive portfolio of world-class sporting events will expand the reach of our flagship programming." With a spot on broadcast television, SmackDown Live will potentially overtake RAW in terms of ratings.
That will make it WWE's top priority and we can probably expect it to be crammed full of top stars as a result. What do you guys think about this news? Share your thoughts in the usual place!