WWE Raw Would Reportedly Go Back To 2 Hours If Move To Fox Is Completed
The News at 10 won't budge...
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter claims that if WWE Raw completes a network switch from NBC Universal to Fox, the show will become two hours long again.
Last month, Meltzer reported that Triple H had held preliminary talks with the heads of Fox Sports with the view to WWE's weekly programming being aired on Fox's main channel and FS1. Any deal appears to be dependant on Fox securing the rights to air UFC content, with speculation rife that Ronda Rousey's old home could be on the move to a new network themselves. With so much time to fill on FS1 and FS2 if UFC were to move away, WWE's production of so much content on a weekly basis appears to make them a natural successor.
Following on from that initial report, Meltzer responded to a fan on Twitter asking about the potential shortening of Raw if it does indeed find a new home:
https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/969381316457242624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The reason for cutting the show back an hour appears to be down to Fox's unwillingness to change the traditional 10 pm news slot. Any deal between Fox and WWE would reportedly see Raw air from 8-10 pm ET on the main Fox channel, with SmackDown Live airing on FS1 the following night - there is no indication at this time that SD Live's two-hour runtime would change.
WWE Raw has aired on USA Network since 2005 after a five-year stint on TNN/Spike TV. The show was extended to the current three-hour format we see today on the 1000th episode on 23 July 2012.
Last month, Meltzer reported that Triple H had held preliminary talks with the heads of Fox Sports with the view to WWE's weekly programming being aired on Fox's main channel and FS1. Any deal appears to be dependant on Fox securing the rights to air UFC content, with speculation rife that Ronda Rousey's old home could be on the move to a new network themselves. With so much time to fill on FS1 and FS2 if UFC were to move away, WWE's production of so much content on a weekly basis appears to make them a natural successor.
Following on from that initial report, Meltzer responded to a fan on Twitter asking about the potential shortening of Raw if it does indeed find a new home:
https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/969381316457242624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The reason for cutting the show back an hour appears to be down to Fox's unwillingness to change the traditional 10 pm news slot. Any deal between Fox and WWE would reportedly see Raw air from 8-10 pm ET on the main Fox channel, with SmackDown Live airing on FS1 the following night - there is no indication at this time that SD Live's two-hour runtime would change.
WWE Raw has aired on USA Network since 2005 after a five-year stint on TNN/Spike TV. The show was extended to the current three-hour format we see today on the 1000th episode on 23 July 2012.
Written by Ross Tweddell
Written and video journalist for Cultaholic Wrestling | twitter: @rossonrasslin | instagram: @rossonrasslin
