WWE SmackDown will leave FOX after signing a deal in 2019 and move to the USA Network in 2024.
FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch discussed the network’s decision not to renew WWE during a FOX earnings conference call.
“I think we’ve talked about this before but how we analyzed the WWE renewal and we look at all of our sports portfolio in the same way… Based on the analysis, (from) an advertising point of view, we were not hitting the advertising numbers due to the audience of WWE to make the return for our return on investment to be above the levels that we would accept. But also, we didn’t attribute enough significant retransmission revenue to the WWE either. So it made sense for us to move on from them. They’ve been a great partner for many years. But just quite simply, we’re very disciplined and the R.O.I. didn’t meet our disciplined parameters so, we wish them luck and we’ve moved on from them.”
On the Q1 2024 Fox Earnings Conference Call, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch explains why they didn’t renew WWE:
We were not hitting the advertising numbers due to the audience of the WWE to make…to return for our return on investment to be above the levels that we would accept. But… pic.twitter.com/Hbwqf84tr0
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) November 2, 2023
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WWE SmackDown, one of the most popular professional wrestling shows, will be leaving FOX and moving to the USA Network in 2024. This decision comes after FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch discussed the network’s choice not to renew WWE during a recent earnings conference call.
During the conference call, Murdoch explained that the decision was based on a thorough analysis of the WWE renewal. From an advertising standpoint, FOX was not able to reach the desired advertising numbers due to the audience of WWE. This meant that the return on investment (ROI) for FOX was not meeting their expectations. Additionally, the network did not attribute enough significant retransmission revenue to WWE.
Murdoch emphasized that FOX has always been a great partner to WWE over the years. However, the network follows a disciplined approach when it comes to ROI, and in this case, it did not meet their parameters. Therefore, it made sense for FOX to move on from WWE. Murdoch wished WWE luck and confirmed that they have already moved on from the partnership.
The news of WWE SmackDown leaving FOX and joining the USA Network has garnered attention from wrestling fans and industry insiders alike. It marks a significant change for the show, which has been airing on FOX since 2019. The move to the USA Network will bring new opportunities and challenges for WWE as they navigate a different network and audience.
Fans can continue to stay updated with all their wrestling news on eWrestlingNews.com, a reliable source for wrestling updates. They can also follow eWrestlingNews on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates and discussions.
Overall, the decision for WWE SmackDown to leave FOX and move to the USA Network in 2024 is driven by the analysis of advertising numbers and ROI. While FOX has been a supportive partner to WWE, they have chosen to prioritize their disciplined parameters. It will be interesting to see how this move impacts WWE and its fanbase in the coming years.