The blue brand secures more television time to kick off the new year
Summary
– Michael Cole announced that SmackDown will shift to a three-hour format in January 2026
– The move confirms earlier reports that the show would expand its runtime on USA Network
– WWE previously utilized a three-hour format for the blue brand in early 2025
The blue brand is officially expanding its real estate on Friday nights. WWE confirmed during the December 12 broadcast that SmackDown will return to a three-hour format beginning January 2, 2026. This move signals a major shift in the programming strategy as the company prepares for a massive year of television.
Michael Cole broke the news live on air to validate reports that had been circulating within the industry. WrestleVotes initially reported the potential change back in November, and the company has now confirmed it. The additional hour gives the booking committee significantly more time to develop mid-card storylines and showcase talent that often gets left off the two-hour show.
This is not the first time the Friday night flagship has tested the three-hour waters. The show ran with an extended runtime for the first half of 2025 before reverting to its traditional format. The decision to return to three hours suggests that USA Network is eager for more content as the road to WrestleMania heats up.
The timing aligns with a seismic shift in the wrestling landscape as Raw heads to Netflix. SmackDown sticking to a three-hour block on cable ensures that the blue brand remains a competitive entity with equal television time to its red counterpart.
