BREAKING NEWS: SmackDown! ab dem 19. Juli 2016 immer dienstags LIVE auf dem USA Network – Comeback vom Rostersplit

Wie die WWE am heutigen Mittwoch, den 25. Mai 2016 mit einer offiziellen Pressemitteilung verkündet hat, wird die Show „SmackDown!“ ab Dienstag, den 19. Juli 2016 immer dienstags LIVE auf dem USA Network ausgestrahlt und mit der WWE Flaggschiff-Show „RAW“ gleichgestellt werden. Passend hierzu soll SmackDown! ein eigenes Roster sowie ein eigenes Writing Team mitsamt eigenen Storylines erhalten, um sich künftig komplett von RAW zu unterscheiden, weshalb der Rostersplit in Kürze zurückkehren und das aktuelle Roster demnächst in zwei Hälften aufteilen wird: RAW und SmackDown!.

SMACKDOWN GOING LIVE ON USA NETWORK BEGINNING TUESDAY, JULY 19

SMACKDOWN to Feature Distinct Roster and Storylines

NEW YORK and STAMFORD, CONN – May 25, 2016 — USA Network, the exclusive cable home to WWE’s marquee properties, announced that its weekly SMACKDOWN show will air live – for the first time ever – and move to Tuesdays every week beginning July 19 from 8-10PM ET/PT. With the SMACKDOWN move, USA Network will now offer five hours of live WWE programming a week, including the weekly three-hour live WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW (airing Mondays from 8-11PM ET/PT), with each show featuring a distinct cast, unique storylines and a dedicated writing team.

In 2016 to date, MONDAY NIGHT RAW is averaging 4.011MM total viewers, 1.873MM P25-54 and 1.846MM P18-49 L7, and SMACKDOWN in its current time slot is averaging 2.674MM P2+, 1.136MM P25-54, and 1.058MM P18-49+ L7, making USA the #1 cable entertainment network across the key demos on Monday and Thursday nights. In 2015, the two programs combined reached over 50MM viewers. Both shows will now air live 52 weeks a year.

„The fan base for our WWE shows is one of the most passionate and engaged audiences in all of entertainment,“ said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. „There is a huge appetite among our viewers for live programming, and the ability to move SMACKDOWN to a live format brings a new level of excitement and helps truly eventize this every week.“

„WWE’s flagship programs will both leverage the incredible depth of our talent roster, distinct storylines and the unpredictable nature of live TV,“ said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. „This move will undoubtedly build more excitement and deepen engagement with our fans around the world.“

Nachfolgend einige Tweets diverser WWE Superstars:

The new era of #Smackdown has arrived. Starting July 19, Smackdown will be broadcast LIVE TUESDAYS on @USA_Network. pic.twitter.com/ULrGy57aFz

— Triple H (@TripleH) May 25, 2016

We're bringing @WWE #SmackDown to Tuesday nights, LIVE on @USA_Network, starting July 19. https://t.co/ij5VwSgJ0p pic.twitter.com/OeqeixVd7e

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) May 25, 2016

We're live pal! https://t.co/nsJhVxvScA

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 25, 2016

It doesn't matter if I'm on Raw or SmackDown or NXT or Superstars or Main Event…sooner or later it will be my time. #NewEra #WooEra

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 25, 2016

https://twitter.com/mauroranallo/status/735454992761491456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

YES ☝🏿️ YES ☝🏽 YES ☝🏻

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) May 25, 2016

https://twitter.com/catherinekelley/status/735464987112669184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/MojoRawleyWWE/status/735462886865276930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

This is incredible news for @WWEUniverse and for all @WWE superstars! Opportunity is knocking, #NewEra indeed!!!! https://t.co/jdzLO3cYqy

— John Cena (@JohnCena) May 25, 2016

This is awesome, both for the superstars and the WWE Universe. Can't wait to see it (although I'd rather be IN it!) https://t.co/67AISU4Ums

— Bryan Danielson (@bryandanielson) May 25, 2016

BEST NEWSSSS! I'm free on Tuesdays…😏 https://t.co/9DiqaSQW5z

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) May 25, 2016

Big news today out of the @WWE today. Lets take the next step in the evolution together @WWEUniverse #OUDK

— Brian G. James (@BrianRDJames) May 25, 2016

#Smackdown going live July 19?
Nothing better than going LIVE!#ThingsAreChanging#SmileyFace

— Shane McMahon (@shanemcmahon) May 25, 2016

(Quelle: WWE)