Shift in Schedule Due to NHL Playoffs Leads to Rise in Audience Numbers

Summary

– AEW Rampage garnered 431,000 viewers on May 1st, significantly increasing from the previous Saturday’s 292,000.

– The episode marked a rise in the key 18-49 demographic, achieving a 0.15 rating, up from 0.09.

– The change in broadcast time, following AEW Dynamite instead of its usual Friday slot, contributed to the viewership spike.

The May 1st episode of AEW Rampage experienced a notable boost in viewership, according to Wrestlenomics. The show attracted 431,000 viewers, a substantial rise from the 292,000 viewers it drew on the previous Saturday. This increase comes as AEW Rampage shifted its airing time to follow AEW Dynamite, a change prompted by the NHL Playoffs, which affected its regular scheduling.

The demographic ratings also saw improvement, with the 18 to 49 age group rating climbing to 0.15, up from the previous 0.09. This adjustment in scheduling, which placed Rampage right after Dynamite rather than its usual 10 p.m. ET slot on Friday, likely contributed to the heightened exposure and increased viewership numbers.

Further illustrating the episode’s success, the top three most viewed AEW Rampage videos on YouTube from the May 1st broadcast highlight key moments:
– Willow Nightingale’s first defense as the new TBS Champion against Skye Blue drew the highest views at 81,000.
– A match featuring Unified Trios Champion Jay White against Dante Martin attracted 38,000 views.
– The bout between Kyle O’Reilly and Rocky Romero garnered significant attention with 33,000 views.

These figures reflect a strong viewer response to the schedule change and demonstrate the ongoing appeal of AEW’s dynamic wrestling content. As AEW adapts to external scheduling challenges, episodes like this serve as a testament to the brand’s resilience and ability to engage its audience effectively.