WWE SmackDown Viewership Increases For "WrestleMania" Edition
The last stop before the grand spectacle
On the eve of WrestleMania 37, WWE SmackDown scored its best overnight viewership since February 5.
Per Showbuzz Daily, the April 9 broadcast averaged 2,080,000 viewers across its two hour showing, a two percent increase from last week's 2,036,000 average.
Hour one averaged 2,060,000 viewers, while the second averaged 2,099,000.
SmackDown averaged a .55 rating in the 18-49 demo, up from the recent spate of .50 ratings. Hour one on Friday did a .50 rating, while hour two increased to .60.
Other demos and shares that saw a second hour increase were adults 25-54 (.60 to .70), and the men 18-49 share (from a 4 to a 5). However, adults 50+ fell from a 3 share to a 2 going hour to hour.
SmackDown finished second for the night among network shows in 18-49, behind only ABC's Shark Tank (.70 in the demo). The two programs tied for the nightly win in 18-34, with a .30 rating.
Friday marked a rare occasion in which SmackDown beat one of the other shows on the four major networks in total viewership, totaling higher than a repeat episode of The Blacklist on NBC (2,022,000 viewers).
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
