WWE NXT Viewership Dips as Show Moves to SyFy Amid Olympic Coverage

One big thing: WWE NXT’s viewership and ratings take a hit on SyFy

WWE NXT experienced a significant drop in viewership and ratings as it moved from USA Network to SyFy on July 30, 2024, due to Olympic coverage.

• Total viewers: 468,000 (down 26% from last week)
• 18-49 demographic rating: 0.15 (down 21% from last week)

By the numbers:

• 26% decrease in total viewership from last week’s 633,000
• 21% drop in 18-49 demographic from 0.19
• 23% decline in total viewers compared to four-week average of 610,000
• 25% fall in 18-49 demo compared to four-week average of 0.20

Why it matters:

This temporary move highlights the impact of major sporting events on wrestling programming. The Olympic Games are forcing various wrestling shows to adjust their schedules and networks, affecting their usual viewership patterns.

Comparing to past SyFy appearance:

NXT’s performance on SyFy shows mixed results when compared to its last appearance on the network in February 2022:

• Total viewership lower than the 525,000 viewers in 2022
• 18-49 demo rating higher than the 0.11 in 2022, indicating growth in key demographic

Context:

The viewership dip comes despite NXT airing part one of its Great American Bash event, featuring:

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Title defense
• Special concert by TNA’s Joe Hendry

This shift in viewership patterns raises questions about the long-term effects of such programming changes on wrestling shows. How do you think WWE can mitigate the impact of major sporting events on their viewership? Share your thoughts in the comments below.