WWE Smackdown from May 16th 2025 draws the show’s lowest viewership of 2025

The May 16th 2025 edition of Friday Night SmackDown drew 1.455 million viewers with a 0.36 rating in the 18-49 demo. This was the show’s lowest viewership of 2025 thus far.

Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com noted that competition played a role in SmackDown’s number being down…

“Due to NBA & NHL playoffs, Smackdown did its lowest numbers of the year Friday, 1.29M/0.36. It beat the NHL, but NBA did huge numbers. This happens every year until the playoffs are over so it’s nothing to use as tribalism ammo.”

As previously reported, SmackDown is rumored to be moving back to a two-hour format later in June.

Due to NBA & NHL playoffs, Smackdown did its lowest numbers of the year Friday, 1.29M/0.36. It beat the NHL, but NBA did huge numbers. This happens every year until the playoffs are over so it's nothing to use as tribalism ammo.

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) May 19, 2025