WWE NXT has been home to various exciting matches and moments over the past years. The brand has served as a platform for young and rising stars to make a name for themselves. The Black and Gold Brand surely lives up to the hype each week, delivering top-tier matches and rivalries.
USA Network is the current home for the developmental brand and has been their TV sponsor since 2019. NXT has provided some high-profile matches and unmatched talents since their arrival on the USA Network. Apart from NXT, Monday Nights are also reserved by the USA Network. Well, NXT might be getting a new home, finally ending its partnership with USA Network.
According to a broadcast source, #WWENXT’s deal with The CW Network was believed to be worth “in the area” of $35-$37 million a year.
Over double what’s internally believed that WWE were getting from NBC Universal for the NXT series ($15M).
— PWInsider pic.twitter.com/qXTJ1iZeIe
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) November 8, 2023
WWE itself officially confirmed that its developmental brand, NXT, will be moving to the CW Network in October 2024. The newest TV deal might also change their weekly appearance from Tuesday, which will be decided by the CW Network itself. Financially, this will be a huge increase in the overall price from NXT’s previous TV deal with USA Network.
Reportedly, the new CW Network deal is believed to be a staggering $35 million per year for the company. This is almost twice their deal before of $15 million with the USA Network, hence giving them a $25 million boost. With such a high bet on the company’s future, CW’s President is looking forward to hosting WWE’s developmental territory and looking ahead to the promising future of the company.
A look at the TV Deals across WWE’s Flagship Shows NXT, RAW and SmackDown
With NXT’s newest TV deal set at a massive amount of around $35 million per year, it wouldn’t be the only show getting a new deal. Friday Night SmackDown had a great run on the USA Network along with other WWE flagship shows until 2019. The Blue Brand made its exclusive debut on Fox in 2019. SmackDown reached new heights of financial success as a result of this move.
It was announced earlier that SmackDown would be returning to the USA Network in October 2024. The deal is worth more than $1.4 billion. This is almost 40% more than their current FOX deal. RAW is currently a part of the USA Network and might have a new home after SmackDown’s homecoming next year.
With NXT and SmackDown shifting their broadcasting partners, it will be interesting to see where RAW ends up. There is no denying that the recent TKO WWE-UFC merger has evolved the product a lot. Financially as well as publicly, the product is being liked by the audience, with house-full arenas and high viewership each week.