Increased Viewership Marks Success for Post-Royal Rumble RAW Episode
Summary
– WWE RAW’s viewership spikes to 1.91 million viewers post-Royal Rumble, with a notable increase in the key 18-49 demographic.
– Segments featuring CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins drive significant viewer interest, contributing to the ratings boost.
– Year-over-year comparison shows RAW maintaining steady growth in younger demographics despite a slight dip overall.
WWE RAW experienced a notable boost in viewership following the 2024 Royal Rumble, averaging 1.91 million viewers and securing a 0.61 rating in the crucial 18-49 demographic. Historically, the episode after Royal Rumble garners heightened interest; this year was no exception. The anticipation around CM Punk addressing his triceps injury and the expected WrestleMania announcements by Cody Rhodes and Bayley played a pivotal role in attracting viewers.
Particularly successful segments included the Punk and Drew McIntyre interaction, which drew around 2.01 million viewers and likely peaked at over 2.2 million. The segment featuring Rhodes and Seth Rollins was the high point, attracting 2.2 million viewers and a 0.73 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Overall, the viewership showed a 13% increase from the previous week and, interestingly, a 13% increase year-over-year in the 18-49 demographic.
While the show experienced a 10% decline in overall viewers and a 2% dip in the 18-49 demographic compared to the previous year, adjustments for homes lost by the USA Network reveal a nuanced picture. Factoring in these adjustments, the decrease in viewers is more significant due to the drop in the over-50 audience, while the numbers for the under-50 demographic actually show an upward trend.
The three-hour breakdown of viewership underscores a common pattern in WWE programming, with the initial hour drawing the most viewers (2.09 million), followed by a slight dip in the second hour (1.95 million), and a more noticeable drop in the final hour (1.69 million).
This viewership pattern reflects the ongoing challenges and successes of WWE RAW, highlighting the importance of marquee segments and big names in maintaining and growing the show’s audience, especially in the younger demographic segments.
