Raw Outperforms Major Sports and Entertainment Despite Seasonal Viewership Decline

Summary
– WWE Raw secured the top spot on cable with 1.81 million viewers and a 0.61 rating in the 18-49 demographic, outperforming the WNBA Draft.

– Despite a significant decline in viewership from the previous week, Raw maintained strong numbers against stiff competition, including major network and cable broadcasts.

– Expected seasonal patterns and upcoming events, like the WWE Draft on April 29, may influence future ratings.

WWE Raw faced tough competition from the WNBA Draft but still led Monday night cable ratings. Drawing 1.81 million viewers and 0.61 in the key 18-49 demographic, Raw showed resilience in the face of strong sports events and network programming. The WNBA Draft, highlighted by the selection of Caitlin Clark, garnered 2.45 million viewers and a 0.58 demo rating, illustrating its significant draw compared to usual WNBA viewership numbers.

Despite this competition, Raw’s performance declined from the previous week, which is typical following WrestleMania. Post-Mania episodes traditionally see a surge in viewership, with numbers normalizing in subsequent weeks. This pattern was evident as Raw’s viewership dropped 23 percent, and its 18-49 demo rating decreased by 27 percent from last week’s high.

Raw also surpassed all network TV broadcasts for the night, with its closest cable competitor, “90 Day Single Life,” attracting only 1.07 million viewers and a 0.17 rating. Additionally, an NHL game post-WNBA Draft on ESPN drew just 439,000 viewers and a 0.14 rating.

Comparatively, Raw has shown improvement from last year, down only 0.4 percent in overall viewers but up by seven percent in the 18-49 demographic. Adjustments for homes without access to the USA Network this year indicate a potential increase of five percent in viewers and 17 percent in the 18-49 demographic when making direct comparisons.

The hourly breakdown for Raw was as follows:
– 8 p.m.: 1.93 million viewers
– 9 p.m.: 1.82 million viewers
– 10 p.m.: 1.68 million viewers

These figures reflect a typical viewership pattern for Raw, with the highest numbers in the first hour and a gradual decline throughout the evening. With the WWE Draft scheduled for April 29, there may be a potential uptick in viewership as fans tune in for roster changes and new storylines.