CW Network drops Smackdown, MyNetworkTV picks it up

[DedKid]

I read this over at Wrestle Zone:

"Today I was looking at the Los Angeles Times Business section of the newspaper. The article is The CW gives 'Smackdown' the brushoff. The TV network will drop wrestling as it tries to build its audience by targeting young women. In the article it says that The CW dropping Smackdown because they are not drawing the young women viewer demographic on Smackdown."

Pretty dumb reasoning if you ask me. I doubt Bridezilla or some shit's gonna draw a heavy male demographic.... :rolleyes:

[DRE]

Where could it possibly go now?

WWE can't be cable exclusive.

[Jack Bauer]

NBC needs new shows.....

[Just Jeans]

It needs to be canceled or completely overhauled. The show is even weaker than RAW, if such a thing is possible.

If it's going to move to another non-cable network, I'm betting it'll be FOX. Such a move wouldn't be unprecedented, as wrestling used to air on FOX (I remember Al Bundy doing host segments for it).

[The Dream Master]

I think this could be a good first step in getting rid of the brand extension. In my opinion, the whole Federation has been watered down for years now, so I wouldn't mind at all if Raw became the flagship show again.

[Just Jeans]

I don't think they need more than one show, frankly. Problem is, they've got so much "talent" that they're bound to dump people that I enjoy if they had to consolidate all the brands into a single program.

[The Dream Master]

I thought that making RAW into a three hour program might help that problem, but I'm not completely sure about that. It'd obviously be cramped if they tried to merge everything into a two hour show, though.

[Just Jeans]

If the regular programs ran three hours, could you imagine by how long they'd extend the PPV shows?

[Ron]

I've always thought that Smackdown was very inferior to Raw in everyway.

[On a Pale Horse]

I miss the days when WCW competed with WWF. They tried so much harder to put on a good show.

[ChoKo]

The latest:

One of the big stories coming out of last week is that after a 10-year partnership, WWE's successful show "SmackDown!" is leaving The CW Network (formerly UPN). The final episode of Smackdown to air on the CW Network is scheduled to be Friday, September 12.

CW executives do not think that SmackDown leaving will hurt their network. Despite SmackDown! being one of CW's top rated shows, research data indicated that WWE fans were tuning into the CW just for SmackDown and would not watch any other CW shows.

At this point, "MyNetworkTV" is looking to be the frontrunner as the new home for Smackdown this Fall. Due to WWE's agreement with NBC Universal, WWE has the right to bring the SmackDown series to any broadcast network that wants to pick it up, but contractually would only be able to bring the series to a cable network that was not part of the NBC Universal family.

Due to the fact that MyNetworkTV is a step down from The CW in terms of network prestige (it's the lowest rated network), WWE expects to lose money from their new "rights fees" agreement.


Source - Wrestlezone

[Darth Sinister]

I thought that making RAW into a three hour program might help that problem, but I'm not completely sure about that. It'd obviously be cramped if they tried to merge everything into a two hour show, though.

That didn't work for WCW. So a three hour, non-PPV show isn't a good idea. I've no problem with Smackdown. I think two shows are fine enough. Nor am I bothered by the brand extention, mostly on the basis that other people can be champion besides Triple HHH and John Cena.

[The Dream Master]

That didn't work for WCW. So a three hour, non-PPV show isn't a good idea. I've no problem with Smackdown. I think two shows are fine enough. Nor am I bothered by the brand extention, mostly on the basis that other people can be champion besides Triple HHH and John Cena.

I had WCW and Nitro in mind when I said that I was hesitant about Raw being a three hour show. I wouldn't mind the idea of the brand extension if I thought that the roster had enough talent to justify it (like it did when the concept was introduced). I think it's spread too thinly now, however.

[Myers, Michael]

I hope Smackdown finds a new network. While I rarely watch it or Raw much these days, one thing I like about it is that it's somewhat forgotten by Vince. Meaning that he doesn't seem to pay much attention to it thus there's none of the political shit going on like there is on Raw.

Having said that, I still would like to see and end to the brand extension. I think a main probably is not so much the talent being spread so thinly, but the creative. I think if they got the best of the creative teams from both Raw and Smackdown they may come up with better ideas. And meanwhle cut some of the fat from the roster. I also think something like that would be good for TNA as well. More of the roster can go over there and maybe help them add a little competition and force Vince out of the funk I feel like the WWF/E has been in since they bought out WCW.

[andrew8798]

One of the big stories coming out of last week is that after a 10-year partnership, WWE's successful show "SmackDown!" is leaving The CW Network (formerly UPN). The final episode of Smackdown to air on the CW Network is scheduled to be Friday, September 12.

CW executives do not think that SmackDown leaving will hurt their network. Despite SmackDown! being one of CW's top rated shows, research data indicated that WWE fans were tuning into the CW just for SmackDown and would not watch any other CW shows.

At this point, "MyNetworkTV" is looking to be the frontrunner as the new home for Smackdown this Fall. Due to WWE's agreement with NBC Universal, WWE has the right to bring the SmackDown series to any broadcast network that wants to pick it up, but contractually would only be able to bring the series to a cable network that was not part of the NBC Universal family.

Due to the fact that MyNetworkTV is a step down from The CW in terms of network prestige (it's the lowest rated network), WWE expects to lose money from their new "rights fees" agreement.

http://www.brutesports.com/articles/204762934.shtml

[Spade]

I actually wouldn't mind if Smackdown gets canceled (at least for a little while). That way WWE is forced to do away with the brand extension. I would prefer it if they only had one show a week (maybe a 3 hour RAW), but then again WWE would have to get rid of a lot of wrestlers and knowing there track record they would get rid of the only talent they have and keep the people who have none (you know the Cena and Khali types) :mad: .

[freako104]

I hope they either overhaul it, or mix it with Raw and ECW.

[ChoKo]

One thing that could stop Smackdown from moving to MyNetworkTV is HD. The station currently does not offer HD and apparently has no plans to anytime soon.

Source - WZ

[Special Killa B]

I actually wouldn't mind if Smackdown gets canceled (at least for a little while). That way WWE is forced to do away with the brand extension. I would prefer it if they only had one show a week (maybe a 3 hour RAW), but then again WWE would have to get rid of a lot of wrestlers and knowing there track record they would get rid of the only talent they have and keep the people who have none (you know the Cena and Khali types) :mad: .

Yeah they would fire CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin and Elijah Burke and keep Big Daddy V, Snitsky and The Great Khali :mad: That's how stupid WWE is.

[ChoKo]

Source: Wrestling Observer

Although MyNetworkTV is leading the pack in regards to signing Smackdown after it leaves the CW Network, one issue that WWE have with them, is that they are not yet HD ready. WWE has spent a lot of money on switching over and have done too much promoting of the HD product to all of a sudden go back to the normal format.

[Darth Sinister]

I think CW is just plain stupid for taking this off. I mean, do they really think that their programming is enough to keep their station afloat? Only a few shows are worth watching and after Smackdown is removed and "Smallville" ends, there will be even fewer shows worth watching. In fact those two shows are the only reason I watch CW in primetime. Otherwise I'm watching repeats of "The Simpsons", "Family Guy" and "That 70's Show".

[ChoKo]

TVWeek.com is reporting that the bidding for the future home of WWE Smackdown is down to two companies: MyNetworkTV and Tribune, which owns Superstation WGN on cable.

According to the article, "MyNetworkTV would bring the program back to the former UPN affiliates that once had the property. Tribune has a number of options for where it could put Smackdown, including Superstation WGN. Tribune was a surprise entry in the bidding, with most pundits expecting NBC to be one of the last bidders standing."

Tribune recently brought in former FOX TV president Ed Wilson to oversee changes to the channel's programming line-up. MyNetwork president Greg Meidel has been in charge for over a year, and has tried to revamp the network's line-up of shows. For many former UPN affiliations, it would simply be a return of Smackdown to the current MyNet affiliate that aired Smackdown before the show moved to the CW.

Prior to signing with Spike TV in 2005, TNA was negotiating with WGN as a possible home for iMPACT!

Source - WZ

[Darth Sinister]

Interesting. I think with NBC, if they were to do it, it would be because of the success of American Gladiators in a prime time setting. NBC could benefit from Smackdown on either Friday or Saturday night, in a prime time setting. WGN would be an interesting choice as most every cable package has it. The only way Vince would do with MyNetwork would be due to HD, which I don't know if they're willing to change over to it.

[Nick Michalak]

Well, here are a few things that WWE would have to do if they went to a network. One, they've gotta present much higher quality storylines. NBC isn't gonna take a lot of this low class fluff Vince likes throwing around. It's gotta be like old school Saturday Night's Main Event quality material to draw network level ratings. Secondly, they need a new announce team - Michael Cole and Coachman couldn't be worse. Cole hasn't improved one ounce since he first was given a microphone. I cringe everytime he tries to comment on anything - he sounds like he's reading from a script. None of it sounds like a natural reaction. He's the main reason why I will not watch Smackdown. Furthermore, Coachman has admitted he doesn't like commentating. When he was put on the RAW announce team a few years ago, he was bad then, and didn't enjoy the experience. Compared to talents like Jim Ross, Lawler, & Styles, those two come off as total amateurs. WWE would need charismatic, clever, and intelligent commentators to grab a network audience.

Essentially, I'm saying that WWE will never get Smackdown to being on a major network. If they really wanted to overhaul their product, they would've done it four or five years ago when it started to decline. Also, if Vince is gonna devote that many resources into improving a show, it would be RAW. It's the flagship show, and always has been treated as such. If the quality of Smackdown was to be increased, RAW's quality would have he elevated above it. I just don't see Vince waking up to reality anytime soon. Fox might be more likely than NBC, but I don't see that happening. They might rearrange their schedule, but right now, Bones & House are airing on Friday nights. Plus, I don't see Fox hurting for ratings enough to grab up Smackdown. UPN kept Smackdown because everything else on their schedule got crap ratings (even the Star Trek shows). The would've died without it, but Fox can and will survive without WWE programming.

-NJM

[ChoKo]

WWE released the following press release this morning touting SmackDown's new television network:


MyNetworkTV CROWNS WWE ITS NEW PROGRAMMING CHAMP

Network Is the Exclusive Prime-Time Broadcast Home of “WWE® SmackDown®” Beginning Fall 2008

NEW YORK �" MyNetworkTV and World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE) have announced a new broadcast television home for “WWE SmackDown,” scheduled to debut in Fall 2008. The announcement was jointly made by MyNetworkTV President, Greg Meidel and WWE Chairman of the Board Vincent K. McMahon.

In making the announcement, Meidel stated, “The momentum at MyNetworkTV continues with this major acquisition. We have demonstrated tremendous growth and this partnership with WWE, the premier sports entertainment franchise in the world is a perfect fit for our viewers, advertisers and affiliates.”

The two-hour television program will be presented weekly on MyNetworkTV. “WWE SmackDown” will feature a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars, including Edge®, Rey Mysterio®, Batista®, MVP™, Kane® and Undertaker®, as well as present all the action, excitement, drama and great athleticism that have made it for nine years one of the most popular programs among males on broadcast television, and one of the top ten English language prime time programs among Hispanic households.

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon added, “We are excited to add MyNetworkTV and its television affiliates to our family of global network partners. We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we’ve worked with in our long and storied history. We fully intend to bring that same level of success to MyNetworkTV.”

Source. (http://wrestlezone.com/article.php?articleid=206053180)

[Nick Michalak]

Yeah, but what about the summer? The CW will stop airing Smackdown this May. What will they do from June through August?

-NJM

[ChoKo]

They could let the SmackDown wrestlers temporarily have matches on RAW. Also, they could have matches on ECW since they have the 'talent exchange' thing going on.

[Nick Michalak]

It might be wiser just to do the reunification idea, throw out the brands, but that would be pretty rushed. Though, I doubt Vince would go for it.

-NJM

[ChoKo]

I really wish they'd merge the brands. I was never for the brand extension in the first place.

[The Dream Master]

I really wish they'd merge the brands. I was never for the brand extension in the first place.

Same here, but it at least made sense when they had enough talent to spread across the two brands. That's not the case anymore, though.

[ChoKo]

Indeed. Their talent pool drops drastically each year. There's no reason for them to have 'brands' anymore.

[Darth Sinister]

Hey, any wrestling show that doesn't have Cena or Triple HHH as champion is gold as far as I'm concerned.

[ChoKo]

There is a very good chance that WWE SmackDown could end up back on Thursday night when it moves to MyNetworkTV in September. A number of media outlets that have reported on the move have noted that the reason that MyNetworkTV did not call it Friday Night SmackDown in their press release is because it could be moved to another night.

UPN (before it merged with the WB to become the CW Network) moved SmackDown to Friday nights back in September 2005 as WWE did not have a say in the decision. It will be interesting to see if the show moves nights because I was told that was one of WWE’s top priorities in negotiating a new deal for the show.

In terms of popularity in the United States, Thursday nights are the most watched nights on television while Friday nights are one of the least watched nights on television. Nonetheless SmackDown’s move to Friday nights did not have a significant impact on the ratings.

Source - WZ