The CW Network addresses “inexplicable” drop in WWE NXT viewership numbers under new Nielsen system
In October of 2025, it was reported that Nielsen changed how television ratings are measured, moving from its long-standing panel-only system to a new Big Data + Panel methodology. Wrestlenomics.com noted that according to sources, NXT’s viewership on the CW Network is averaging 9% lower overall under the new measurement system. The drop is even sharper in key advertising demographics, with P18–49 down 27% and P25–54 down 29%.
CW issued the following statement to Wrestlenomics in regards to NXT’s drop in viewership numbers…
“The sudden and substantial discrepancy in WWE NXT viewership reported by Big Data, relative to long-established viewing patterns, is inexplicable and lacks credibility. Further, a comparison with data from all other measurement products (including others from Nielsen itself) exposes a fundamentally flawed methodology in Big Data. We are disappointed by Nielsen’s lack of cooperation, transparency, and accountability with its network partners as we work to resolve this issue.”
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CW Network expresses frustration with Nielsen
https://t.co/VlWQ1zhBn0— Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) November 21, 2025