Over the years, WWE’s SmackDown has graced television screens on various nights of the week, offering fans diverse viewing experiences. While Friday Night SmackDown has become synonymous with the show for many newer fans, the blue brand has ventured into almost every other weeknight, except for Mondays. With ongoing television negotiations, WWE is open to breaking the mold of a fixed Friday time slot for SmackDown.
During his appearance at the Moffett Nathanson’s Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference on May 18th, WWE CEO Nick Khan shed light on the company’s approach to media negotiations. Khan fielded intriguing questions, particularly regarding WWE’s current television rights deals.
Khan expressed that SmackDown has the potential to be scheduled “any night of the week,” presenting an enticing prospect for networks in search of content to fill their programming lineup. This revelation indicates that potential broadcast partners are open to Fridays for the blue brand.
Notably, NBCU and FOX no longer possess exclusive negotiating rights, as their respective windows for talks have closed. While the specifics of the forthcoming agreement remain uncertain, it is highly likely that WWE will strike a deal with a network.
The history of SmackDown’s broadcasting schedule is intriguing. It premiered on UPN in 1999, initially airing on Thursday nights before transitioning to Fridays in September 2005. It returned to Thursdays in 2015 and later shifted to Tuesday nights in 2016. Subsequently, the agreement with FOX led to a return to Fridays on network television.
This development carries significant weight, leaving fans intrigued. After all, WWE’s faithful followers have grown accustomed to setting aside two hours every Friday for the blue brand. The outcome of these new television rights negotiations holds the potential to reshape the landscape. Only time will reveal if this shift in talks will alter the traditional SmackDown viewing experience.
