WWE’s SmackDown to return to NBCUniversal’s USA Network in more than $1.4 billion deal
WWE’s “Friday Night SmackDown” will return to USA Network in October 2024 as part of a five-year domestic media rights partnership between TKO Group Holdings and NBCUniversal, the company said Thursday.
The deal comes out to an average of $287 million per year, a total value of over $1.4 billion, people familiar with the matter told CNBC. WWE does not expect to reach a rights agreement for its flagship show “Raw” until next year. NBCUniversal is the parent company of NBC News.
Smackdown was previously on Fox with a rights agreement for $205 million per year in a five-year deal. The new agreement is roughly a 40% increase.
Shares of TKO dropped more than 12% following the announcement.
WWE will also produce four primetime specials per year to air on NBC beginning in the 2024-2025 season.
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“It’s a privilege and thrill to continue NBCU’s decades-long partnership with WWE which has helped cement USA Network’s consistent position as the top-rated cable entertainment network in live viewership,” said Frances Berwick, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment.
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