Report: WWE SmackDown Live To Remain A 2-Hour Show
WWE’s blue brand is set to keep its run-time despite upcoming switch to Fox.
WWE SmackDown Live is set to remain a two-hour show, despite changing networks later this year.
As reported by The Wrap, the blue brand will reportedly keep its existing run-time, despite previous speculation that it would increase to three hours and match Monday Night Raw. Tony Maglio writes:
'As previously reported, Fox’s “SmackDown Live” will debut on Friday, Oct. 4 at 8/7c on Fox. The two-hour series runs until 10 o’clock, which is when Fox’s national primetime programming ends. The rest of the Big 4 broadcast networks — CBS, NBC and ABC — have three-hour primetime windows that run until 11 p.m. ET.
For Fox (and The CW), local programming from affiliates takes over at 10 p.m.'
However, this shouldn't rule out the possibility of further WWE programming taking place on Friday nights. Many news sites are still suggesting that we could see a show on FS1, perhaps a 'Talking Smack'-style recap show, or an affiliated brand such as 205 Live.
Several weeks ago, Triple H announced that FS1 will premiere a weekly studio show on Tuesday nights - perhaps ruling out a similar show on Fridays.
We should know more in the near future, as Fox presents its upfronts to advertisers this afternoon in New York City.
As reported by The Wrap, the blue brand will reportedly keep its existing run-time, despite previous speculation that it would increase to three hours and match Monday Night Raw. Tony Maglio writes:
'As previously reported, Fox’s “SmackDown Live” will debut on Friday, Oct. 4 at 8/7c on Fox. The two-hour series runs until 10 o’clock, which is when Fox’s national primetime programming ends. The rest of the Big 4 broadcast networks — CBS, NBC and ABC — have three-hour primetime windows that run until 11 p.m. ET.
For Fox (and The CW), local programming from affiliates takes over at 10 p.m.'
However, this shouldn't rule out the possibility of further WWE programming taking place on Friday nights. Many news sites are still suggesting that we could see a show on FS1, perhaps a 'Talking Smack'-style recap show, or an affiliated brand such as 205 Live.
Several weeks ago, Triple H announced that FS1 will premiere a weekly studio show on Tuesday nights - perhaps ruling out a similar show on Fridays.
We should know more in the near future, as Fox presents its upfronts to advertisers this afternoon in New York City.
Written by Jack King
jack.king@cultaholic.com Twitter: @JackTheJobber
