Over the last two months, WWE SmackDown’s ratings have been significantly affected by Nielsen’s new “Big Data+ Panel” system, designed to deliver more precise cable and broadcast ratings. The show hit a low point on October 31st, drawing fewer than one million viewers while competing against the World Series. However, since then, SmackDown’s ratings have gradually climbed, with last Friday’s episode marking the brand’s highest viewership since September.
As reported by Wrestlenomics and Programming Insider, SmackDown averaged 1,210,000 viewers and a 0.29 rating in the crucial 18-49 age group. This represented a 4% increase in total viewers and a 7% rise in the key demographic compared to the previous week. Despite tough competition from ESPN’s Florida State vs. North Carolina State football game, SmackDown secured the second spot for viewership on cable Friday night. Additionally, WWE’s ticket sales in Denver saw a slight boost, with 11,660 tickets sold for the recent SmackDown event at Ball Arena, a 2% rise from last year’s WWE Raw show at the same venue.
Though there has been steady growth in the past three weeks, SmackDown’s numbers remain notably lower than last November, with an 18% drop in overall viewers and a sharper 34% decline in the 18-49 demographic. With Survivor Series just days away, several WWE stars set to compete will appear on Friday’s episode, giving hope that the show will attract higher ratings.
Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans because it highlights the ongoing challenges WWE faces in retaining young viewers, a vital demographic for the sport’s future. The steady rating improvements alongside major events like Survivor Series could signal a turning point and renewed interest in WWE programming.
