The CW is stepping into the sports entertainment arena, announcing a dynamic addition to its sports lineup with WWE NXT. Beginning in October 2024, the network will become the new broadcast home for WWE’s developmental wrestling brand, NXT, previously housed on the USA Network. This five-year deal brings 52 live events annually to The CW, enriching its expanding sports collection that includes ACC football, basketball, LIV Golf, Inside the NFL, and the future broadcasting of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Behind the scenes, NXT is part of the TKO Group, a newly formed public company that includes WWE and UFC, with Endeavor as the majority owner. The broadcast rights for WWE have been shuffling around, with WWE SmackDown set to move to USA Network in October 2024 after leaving Fox, in a deal purportedly worth $200 million. Meanwhile, the fate of WWE Raw beyond its current deal remains up in the air.
Financial details of The CW’s deal with NXT are not public, but reports suggest it’s a significant step up from the current $15 million annual contract. The CW’s president, Dennis Miller, expresses excitement about incorporating WWE into their sports offerings, highlighting NXT’s youthful energy and its track record of nurturing top-tier wrestling talent. NXT, known for drawing a young audience, particularly in the coveted 18-49 demographic, has been a pivotal stepping stone for many current WWE Superstars.
NXT was launched by WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque and has been showcasing rising wrestling stars since 2012, with Shawn Michaels currently leading the charge. The program has been instrumental in the rise of numerous WWE Superstars and consistently tops cable primetime ratings among younger adults.
With TKO Group gearing up to announce its first quarterly earnings and Endeavor, led by CEO Ari Emanuel, hinting at strategic alternatives while retaining its stake in TKO, the sports entertainment industry is buzzing with anticipation. The CW’s move to include NXT in its roster marks an exciting chapter for the network, promising to bring more live sporting events into living rooms across the nation. As the anticipation builds, fans and industry watchers alike are eager to see how this partnership will reshape the landscape of sports entertainment broadcasting.
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