Fox will be the anticipated home of WWE's "SmackDown Live" in a "massive new five-year deal" worth more than $1B, according to sources cited by Marisa Guthrie of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The new deal, which is "nearing completion," is worth $205M annually and is expected to begin in October '19. It marks a "three-fold increase" over what NBCU is currently paying WWE to air "SmackDown" on USA Network. WWE had an "even higher bid from a third party," but company execs have "embraced Fox's commitment to heavily promote 'SmackDown' across a robust sports portfolio" that includes the NFL and MLB. The deal would "split WWE programming rights with NBC, which is expected to retain 'Raw.'" It is "unclear what effect if any, the WWE deal will have on Fox Sports’ calculation in renewing its UFC rights package, which expires at the end of the year." "SmackDown" still "boasts the sixth biggest audience among cable originals (including news programming), at a time when programmers are desperate for content that viewers will consume live" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 5/21). A source said that "SmackDown" will air on Fridays, a move from its current Tuesday night home on USA. It has "aired pre-taped on both Thursdays and Fridays in the past" (THEWRAP.com, 5/21).
PART OF LIVE PROGRAMMING EMPHASIS: AD AGE's Anthony Crupi noted Fox' shift from a roster of "scripted entertainment content to one that depends primarily on sports, news and live 'event' programming would only be accelerated by the introduction of a new franchise such as 'SmackDown.'" Putting "SmackDown" on Fridays means it "would be sandwiched in the fall by 'Thursday Night Football' and Fox's college football broadcasts." An official announcement of the deal "may be delayed until Fox has made a decision on the available UFC package." A source said that should Fox "fail to re-up with UFC, it's likely to hold off on making an official proclamation about 'SmackDown' until after that particular bit of news makes the rounds" (ADAGE.com, 5/21).
