If you were hoping WWE SmackDown would cut back to two hours anytime soon, dont hold your breath.
On the June 16 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that WWEs blue brand is staying at three hoursfor nowand the kicker? USA Network isnt paying them a dime extra for the added content.
Bryan Alvarez kicked things off by asking the obvious question thats been circulating for weeks. What is this story with SmackDown at 3 hours? Is this permanent? Meltzer didnt hesitate to respond.
Until USA comes up [and] changes the idea, Meltzer said, making it clear that theres no definitive end date in sight. When Alvarez pressed furtherasking if this is just how it is from now onMeltzer doubled down.
Yeah. Yeah. Well, its threeits three hours until they change it, Meltzer explained. Its not like theres originally it was going to stop in June, and USA had a show that they wanted to put on from 1011, you know, piggybacking off SmackDown. And for whatever reason, they made the call that it wasnt worth it. And, you know, for their ratings, its not worth it. I think they realized that hour three is going to do triple anything theyre going to put on in that slot.
Then came the shockerAlvarez asked if WWE was at least securing more money for the extra hour of programming. So clearly they must be being paid some new deal? he asked. Meltzer shut that idea down fast.
No, he replied bluntly. Clearly stunned, Alvarez fired back with some sarcasm. Theyre doing this for free? Im suffering through this for charity?
Meltzer elaborated, offering more context on why the deal probably wasnt renegotiated. Well, I guess the way they signed the contract, they must have given USA the option, he said. Because if they were making more money on the deal, it absolutely would have been said at the investors call and we would have seen it. We would have seen the difference in the money. So obviously the money has not changed, cause if it was, wed have been told.
So there it isSmackDowns third hour isnt going anywhere, and WWEs not making a penny more to produce it. USA Network likes the numbers, WWE keeps their original payout, and the fans are left deciding if its worth the time.
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Do you think Smack Down is better with three hours, or has it watered down the show? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
