WWE’s NXT Inks Five-Year Deal to Air on CW Starting in 2024
WWE’s future stars showcase NXT will be shown on the CW network starting in October 2024, according to an announcement from the company Tuesday evening.
“Between the new leadership and ownership, the economics of the deal and with their broadcast network now being in over 100 million homes, it became a no-brainer to move NXT, one of our signature weekly shows, to the CW,” said WWE president Nick Khan.
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NXT launched in 2012 as a way to highlight up-and-coming performers in wrestling and has evolved to be one of WWE’s three primetime draws along with the SmackDown and Raw shows. Last quarter, NXT was the top-ranked show in cable primetime Tuesdays among adults aged 18 to 49, according to WWE. NXT viewership this autumn is up 14% over last year to 780,000 viewers per telecast, according to Nielsen.
Under the CW agreement, NXT will produce 52 live weekly events throughout the season. It’ll be the first time NXT will be on broadcast TV, moving to the network from Comcast’s basic cable mainstay USA Network. The CW is majority owned by Nexstar, the nation’s largest local broadcast television operator. Nexstar bought control of the CW in 2022 and aims to revamp the network from being a feeder for syndicated shows into a more traditional broadcast network, including an emphasis on live sports and entertainment. Adding NXT broadens CW’s live portfolio which includes LIV Golf, ACC football and basketball and, starting in 2025, the Nascar Xfinity Series.
Terms of the deal weren’t immediately disclosed. WWE has been in the midst of negotiations for a new round of broadcast rights for its properties. In September, the company announced it inked a $1.4 billion five-year deal to run SmackDown on USA Network. The rights for RAW are still being negotiated with unnamed potential partners.
“The passion and engagement of WWE’s fan base is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as WWE NXT’s new home on broadcast television,” said CW president Dennis Miller in a statement.
–With assistance from Anthony Crupi.
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