WWE NXT moved to network television last year as part of The CW’s fall lineup and the people in charge of the channel are very happy about it.
The CW President Brad Schwartz recently sat down with Variety. When asked about acquiring the rights to WWE NXT for the network, Schwartz called the move an absolute game changer.
“It’s been an absolute game changer for the CW, and I think it’s been a game changer for WWE,” Brad Schwartz said. “This last quarter that just ended was the highest-rated NXT quarter in five years. It’s up 19% year over year.”
Speaking in terms of numbers, Schwartz revealed that The CW is regularly beating FOX on Tuesday nights due to the inclusion of NXT.
“In adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, we’re regularly beating Fox on Tuesday nights. It’s unheard of,” Brad Schwartz said. “So it’s been absolutely crushing for us. It’s one of the big reasons why our network as a whole is up 40% season over season…Besides animation on Fox, [NXT] has the highest concentration of 18-49 and 25-54 on all broadcast.”
Schwartz also revealed to Variety that The CW and WWE are “constantly” looking for new ways to expand their partnership going forward.
What do you make of Brad Schwartz’s comments? Are you surprised that WWE NXT is doing so much for The CW? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
