- The CW airs 52 live events annually
- The Nexstar-owned network also broadcasts LIV golf, college sports and NASCAR
- NXT is now on USA Network
WWE NXT will air for the first time on a free-to-air (FTA) broadcast network in the United States after the wrestling giant agreed to a five-year deal with The CW starting in October 2024.
NXT started out as a semi-reality show on NBCUniversal’s Syfy pay television network and transformed into WWE’s third brand in development in 2012. The show was exclusive to WWE Network’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) service before moving to NBCUniversal’s USA Network. In 2019.
The CW plans to broadcast 52 live events each week throughout the season, with the hope that the youthful nature of NXT’s roster and audience will be an ideal fit for its traditionally youth-biased programming. The CW aired WWE SmackDown for two years from 2006 to 2008.
“We are excited to welcome the WWE brand to the CW Sports portfolio,” said Dennis Miller, president of The CW Network. “The WWE brand plays an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to our networks year-round. body,” he said.
“WWE NXT is a great fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring some of the sport’s hottest rising stars and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE’s fan base is unparalleled. “We are passionate about expanding that audience as WWE NXT’s new home on broadcast television.”
“The CW has made significant moves over the past year with its live sports schedule,” added WWE President Nick Khan. “Televating the show for the first time in NXT history is a truly exciting opportunity to expand NXT’s audience.”