Does Smackdown Need To Get Off MY9?

[HartAttack]

I know there are quite a few people that don't get this channel (me included) that want to see Smackdown go on more of a mainstream channel. I remember seeing this poll where about 5,000 voted on whether or not they got that channel, and 50% voted no.

I know that 5,000 people is a pretty small percentile of wrestling fans, but it's still a lot of people, and the fact that half of them didn't get that channel, it's still a lot of people not being able to watch the show.

If you're a big market company like the WWE, you HAVE to have your programming on main stream channels like USA, etc. I find it hard to believe, as much of a ratings grabber Smackdown is, that they couldn't find a better, more popular channel to put it on.

Obviously I don't speak for everyone because there are a lot of people that do get it, but even if you, I'd like to get your thoughts anyway.

 

["Cool Guy" Jensen]

As a person who does not have any cable, I was glad that WWE switched Smackdown to another basic channel. I know that a lot of people don't have the MyNetworkTV, but I'm not sure if WWE can really fix that. Everything that WWE broadcasts is on cable, except for Smackdown. So the people that do not have cable have atleaast one show they can watch every week. MyNetworkTV is more of a coastal issue. People who do not have the channel is due to the region that they live in. So, I don't necessarily want WWE to change the channel that Smackdown airs on, but I do want the WWE to be able to enjoy WWE progamming when they want. So, if that means losing Smackdown and switching it to an affiliated network, then so be it.

 

[HartAttack]

That is true, I do miss watching Smackdown. I haven't been able to see it in about two years now and I'm missing out on some pretty good views. Some people kept telling me that for the longest time, Smackdown was better than RAW and I couldn't see it. lol So, it was frustrating.

It's just too bad they couldn't find a channel where both people with cable and who don't have cable can see. I still find it hard to believe. I have satellite and I'm pretty sure they don't have MyNetworkTV, and if they do, I'd have to pay a few bucks extra for it, and then it's not really worth it since that's the only show I'd be watching on that channel.

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Man, its a shame that WWE can't upgrade their deal with the umbrella network and get a Friday slot on NBC itself. That would be perfect for them. They'd clearly get higher ratings as they'd be as mainstream as you can get AND not even on a cable channel, plus as far as I can remember, you have to pay more for commercials on those channels due to the exposure as opposed to cable stations. Plus, in the process, those higher ratings would garner higher ratings for ECW, Superstars, and Raw, as it would get the product out more. Snowball effect rolls on and WWE starts looking pretty good.

Only problem with that is they need to show NBC that they're worth the spot, and by being on MyNetworkTV, its not helping them in the slightest bit.

 

[Nate DaMac]

Why does it say My9? Is that what it is where your at? Here its MyKSMOtv. Lol. I guess I was in the dark on this situation, I just assumed everyone had it. They would get much better ratings on an actual network, like NoFate said, NBC would be an excellent choice, I mean isn't USA and ScFi owned by the peacock?

 

[ztwhite]

In recent years it appears as if Smackdown is used to help bolster the ratings on "lesser" channels. Whether it be the CW or MyNetwork TV, the WWE's programming is always the most dominant show on the channel.

With that being said, they obviously pay the WWE a significant amount of money to broadcast the show. Even though its rating varies between 2.0 and 3.0, it's still head and shoulders above any other program these stations run.

A station like NBC or USA (same ownership), ESPN, etc... doesn't need to take a risk on a show that draws a number like that because Vince would demand way to much money for the broadcast rights and the show simply doesn't deliver enough.

Raw remains on USA because its been there for 13+ years. It's not the networks highest rated program by any means, but it definitely gets a much larger number than Smackdown does. Raw also commands a broader type of advertiser, which USA capitalizes upon for its other shows (especially its original programming).

I would like to see Smackdown move simply because the MyNetwork TV affiliate where I live doesn't broadcast in high definition, but compared to most people on here, I'm being a bit selfish - at least I get to see it.

 

[tj177mmi]

Smackdown doesn't even have to leave MyNetworkTV. It could be rebroadcasted, like RAW and ECW is, on another channel. Possibly working out an agreement with NBC Universal to put Smackdown on a channel on Saturday Night or Sunday Morning. That way, MNTV still gets the first time slot to broadcast it, but its there for other viewers to watch it that do not have MNTV (like myself), possibly Sci-Fi or USA.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

absolutely it needs to. The entire set up is just so jacked ass fucked up, its maddening. How can they expect decent ratings on friday nights, when from what I have seen, a VERY large portion of the veiwing audience dont even GET the fucking show on friday nights? A lot of folks get it on saturday evening, or just, when the fuck ever, due to baseball, basketball, or what have you. and THAT is just out of the already reduced percentage of people who even GET MyNetworkTv, which definately isnt everyone. For the WWE to even put their programming on a channel that isnt available to everyone in america seems absurd to me. A friday or saturday afternoon timeslot, that is defined for all markets and veiwers, could not POSSIBLY draw lower than whatever the fuck reruns of saved by the bell these network channels like NBC show. Please. Get us a channel everyone can watch, and lets get a defined time slot. I think that has MUCH more to do with the low draw than the actual programming itself.