WWE's "SmackDown" Being Shopped As NBCU Declines Renewal

NBCU originally landed "SmackDown" in '10, when it reportedly paid $30M for the rightsWWE UNIVERSE

WWE's "SmackDown Live" is "being shopped to various networks" after NBCU "declined to re-up its deal" to keep it on USA Network, according to sources cited by Lesley Goldberg of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. NBCU is said to be "focusing on renewing its pact for WWE's 'Raw' ... and that deal is expected to close at as much as three times its current value." Sources said that Fox has been "speculated as a home for 'SmackDown.'" NBCU originally landed "SmackDown" in '10, when it reportedly paid $30M for the rights to the franchise. The show "began airing that year on Syfy," before moving full time to USA in January '16. It began airing live in May '16, "increasing the value for advertising during the wrestling show." The Tuesday night program still "boasts the sixth biggest audience" among original programs on cable TV (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 5/16).