‘WWE SmackDown’ Sets Premiere Date In Return To USA Network

Bruce Haring

9 May 2024 at 7:34 pm·1-min read

A new multi-year partnership will see the WWE SmackDown return to USA Network on Sept 13. The show was originally slated to move back to USA in October, but the date has been bumped up.

WWE, part of the newly created TKO Group, and NBCUniversal have agreed to a five-year domestic media rights deal that will bring Friday Night SmackDown to USA Network, exiting its current home on Fox.

More from Deadline

WWE will also produce four specials a year for NBC primetime.

WWE‘s Monday Night Raw franchise will stay on USA Network through the end of 2024 under an extended rights agreement between the wrestling circuit and NBCUniversal.

TKO Group Holdings, which owns WWE, announced the mini-extension Wednesday along with its first-quarter results. NBCU paid $25 million for the additional months of rights, according to TKO.

The milestone Netflix deal, announced earlier this year, is slated to start in January 2025. but the prior Raw agreement went only through September of this year. There had been questions lingering among Wall Streeters, viewers, and fans about who would air those intervening months of action for the 52-week-a-year entertainment draw.

Best of Deadline

The Telegraph
‘Embarrassed’ Laura Kuenssberg cancels Boris interview after she sent him her briefing notes
The BBC has been forced to cancel a Laura Kuenssberg interview with Boris Johnson after she sent him her briefing notes “by mistake”.
Manchester Evening News
Man United fans fume at ridiculous Guinness pints at Old Trafford as they'd 'send it back'
Guinness pints failed to impress members of the hospitality section at Old Trafford – and it's left football fans seriously riled up as they tucked into the stout
Manchester Evening News
Man United legend 'stopped plane from taking off' as he 'thought he was going to die'
Gary Neville is one of the most decorated footballers in Manchester United's history and has represented the club in the media since retiring from the game 13 years ago
Manchester Evening News
'The manager spoke' - Harry Maguire reveals dressing room reaction to Manchester United display
Man Utd drew 3-3 with Porto in the Europa League in a chaotic game that asked further questions of Erik ten Hag.
The Independent
Johnny Herbert breaks silence on Max Verstappen ‘swearing’ saga
Herbert was a steward in Singapore, when Verstappen was punished for swearing in a press conference
Yahoo Celebrity UK
Grand Designs' influencer couple make £15,000 mistake after refusing help
A Grand Designs' influencer couple made a £15,000 mistake after they refused professional help on this one part of the build.
Manchester Evening News
Erik ten Hag handed worst nightmare ahead of Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Erik ten Hag faces two crucial games in the next four days and Sunday's trip to Aston Villa has just become even more daunting.
The Independent
Ferrari reveal 2025 F1 car plan ahead of Lewis Hamilton move
Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to team up with Charles Leclerc at the Scuderia
Evening Standard
Arne Slot delivers verdict on Premier League lunchtime kick-offs with 'stupid' Liverpool claim
Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace for early kick-off on Saturday
Manchester Evening News
Angry Pep Guardiola tears apart FIFA rule change that will impact Man City with simple question
Pep Guardiola was in a combative mood when he faced the media before Manchester City's home game with Fulham in the Premier League - reacting angrily to updates from FIFA regarding the Club World Cup.
The Telegraph
Dire Matthijs de Ligt was bullied and bamboozled – he must be taken out of the firing line
It was last month that Ronald Koeman revealed he substituted Matthijs de Ligt for his own good. At fault for both of Germany’s goals in a 2-2 draw, the Netherlands defender was taken off at half-time to spare him any more humiliation, just days after an unconvincing showing against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The Telegraph
How 11-v-11 practice matches and Benitez-like obsession have got Arne Slot’s Liverpool purring
Shortly after a Liverpool coach was recruited and made an instant impression with a few notable scalps, an Anfield executive made a timeless and universal observation.
Manchester Evening News
Man City's £300m bargain amid eyewatering Old Trafford and Newcastle United costs
Manchester City's North Stand rebuild is well underway while Newcastle United and Manchester United are seeking to extend or build new stadiums
Evening Standard
Europa League table 2024-25: Latest standings, fixtures and results after Tottenham win but Man United stumble
Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers all involved in revamped tournament
The Independent
Tyson Fury warns Oleksandr Usyk over ‘mistake’ from first heavyweight fight
Usyk handed Fury a first loss of his professional career with a split-decision victory in their undisputed title fight back in May and the rematch is set for December
The Independent
Aaron Ramsdale reveals why he left Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale left Arsenal to join Southampton in the summer
Evening Standard
Arsenal vs Southampton: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds
The Gunners are battling to keep pace with Liverpool and Man City in Premier League title race
The Independent
Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refuses to back Erik ten Hag amid sack rumours
United’s unconvincing start to the season continued on Thursday night with a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League
Darlington and Stockton Times
Bricklayer is British cycling champion for the second time
A bricklayer is building a future in sport after becoming British cycling champion for the second time and competing on the world stage.
Manchester Evening News
Erik ten Hag is tying himself in knots with baffling Manchester United policy nobody understands
Man United manager Erik ten Hag played the rotation card again on Thursday night and while there is a need to rotate this season the way he is going about it is unusual.

Latest stories