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Viewership numbers for the premiere edition of WWE Smackdown on USA Network

Aaron Rift

The September 13th 2024 edition of Friday Night Smackdown, which was the premiere on USA Network, drew 1.723 million viewers with a 0.55 rating in the 18-49 demo. The previous week’s Smackdown finale on FOX drew 1.770 million viewers with a 0.45 rating in the 18-49 demo.

The belief was that Smackdown’s viewership would decline from broadcast television to cable television. Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.com noted the following…

“On par with a good rating for Monday Night Raw on the same network. Mathematically, Smackdown will have the benefit of not having a less-viewed third hour in its average.”