Report: WWE SmackDown To Remain Three Hours On USA Network

WWE SmackDown will continue airing as a three-hour broadcast on the USA Network for the foreseeable future, but according to the Wrestling Observer, WWE isnโ€™t receiving any additional compensation for the extra hour.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed that while WWE initially planned to return to the traditional two-hour format in June, USA Network opted to keep the third hourโ€”not because of any new agreement or increased revenue, but simply due to viewership performance.

โ€œFor whatever reason, they made the call that it wasnโ€™t worth it [to change it],โ€ Meltzer explained.

Meltzer added that the network realized the third hour of SmackDown would draw significantly higher ratings than any alternative programming.

โ€œI think they realized that hour three is going to do triple of anything that theyโ€™re going to put on in that show,โ€ Meltzer continued. โ€œSmackDown is so far and away the biggest show on that station.โ€

Co-host Bryan Alvarez asked the obvious questionโ€”โ€œSo clearly they must be being paid some new deal?โ€โ€”to which Meltzer responded with a blunt โ€œNo.โ€

โ€œTheyโ€™re doing this for free? Iโ€™m suffering through this for charity?โ€ Alvarez joked.

Meltzer elaborated that WWE likely signed a contract that gave USA Network the option to extend SmackDownโ€™s runtime. Since no material change in finances was disclosed in shareholder meetings or investor calls, it’s highly unlikely WWE is making more money for the additional hour.

โ€œWe would have seen the difference in the money. So obviously, the money is not changed, because if it was, weโ€™d have been told,โ€ Meltzer noted.

Despite the lack of increased revenue, USA Network is apparently satisfied with the ratings performance and advertising return from the added hour. Unless a new program emerges with the potential to match or exceed the third hour’s numbers, SmackDown will remain a three-hour show.

Stay tuned to PWMania.com for more behind-the-scenes updates on WWE programming and broadcast deals.