WWE TV Rumors: SD to Facebook or Amazon? SD to 3 Hours?

May 18, 2018

With reports that the USA Network will possibly only attempt to keep WWE Raw as its deal with WWE expires, there’s been a lot of speculation about where SmackDown Live will be headed.

WWE has already been in negotiations with FOX and FOX has so far reportedly been the frontrunner for a potential new home for WWE programming, if WWE leaves the USA Network. Variety reported today that FOX, Facebook and Amazon are the main contenders for SmackDown Live.

If Amazon actually picks up SmackDown, it could end up as part of Amazon’s subscription service, Amazon Prime, which would obviously be annoying for a lot of WWE fans who wouldn’t want to pay an additional fee to watch SmackDown. If it ends up going to Facebook, it would definitely not do much to help SmackDown’s perception as the “B” show if it was just streamed online on Facebook…

Variety also speculated that SmackDown could move from two hours to three hours in order to get more money from a potential TV deal, since it would generate more advertising revenue for the network. Imagine a seven hour PPV, followed by a three hour Raw the next day, followed by a three hour SmackDown…

The relevant quotes from Variety:

“We think ‘SmackDown’ is due for a big raise as well, and likely still viewed as a bargain for several players reportedly interested,” said Eric Katz, senior analyst for Wells Fargo.

Frontrunning contenders for “SmackDown” rights include Fox, Facebook and Amazon. With the recent news that Fox will be sharing Ultimate Fighting Championship rights with ESPN, a few holes could open up in its scheduling that would present a great fit for WWE’s programming.

One option open to “SmackDown” is moving from a two- to three-hour format akin to “Raw.” That would obviously inflate the show’s advertising potential, which might even be an enticing lure for suitors. The smaller two-hour bite is more appealing to fans, but a deeper breath would allow the brand to broaden its storytelling spotlight to include some of its underutilized talents.