AEW Dynamite Ratings Analysis: Winter Is Coming Special Falls Short of 600K Viewers

One Big Thing

AEW Dynamite’s Winter Is Coming special failed to break the 600,000 viewer barrier, continuing a concerning trend for the wrestling promotion’s flagship show.

By the Numbers

• 594,000 total viewers (1% increase from last week)
• 0.17 rating in 18-49 demographic (unchanged from previous week)
• Ranked #4 on cable in primetime for 18-49 demo
• 28% decrease in viewership compared to December 2023
• 39% drop in 18-49 demo year-over-year

Competition Factor

• NBA: Hawks vs. Knicks drew 1,467,000 viewers on ESPN
• “Survivor” and “The Masked Singer” each exceeded 3 million viewers

Digital Performance

• Top YouTube segment: Moxley/PAC vs. White/Cassidy (250,000 views)
• Toni Storm’s return segment underperformed at 85,000 views

Why It Matters

This ratings performance signals ongoing challenges for AEW, as special episodes typically draw larger audiences. The show hasn’t topped 700,000 viewers since September’s Grand Slam edition, raising questions about viewer retention and programming strategy.

The Bottom Line

AEW faces an uphill battle to regain its previous viewership levels, particularly concerning the significant year-over-year decline in the key 18-49 demographic.

What do you think AEW needs to do to boost its viewership back above 700,000? Share your thoughts in the comments below.