WWE Raw ratings up huge for SummerSlam fallout
A combination of a number of factors led to Raw last night doing its highest viewership numbers since the start of the pandemic, averaging 2,230,000 viewers and drawing a 0.61 rating in 18-49.
The 18-49 number was the best since the episode after this year's WrestleMania did a 0.63.
The key factors for this number, even more impressive since cable viewing has been down significantly this summer were:
- The day after SummerSlam.
- Continued curiosity and interest regarding what changes would be made with Vince McMahon no longer running things.
- Overall growth in WWE popularity as noted by strong increases at live events over the last month and great walk-up ticket sales at many shows.
- A commercial-free first hour (which led to 2.43 million viewers in that hour) and side-by-side picture during commercials in matches, like AEW and NXT already do. does diminish people tuning out during the commercial breaks.
Growth was strong across the board but was biggest with teenagers, up 57 percent from last week. And keep in mind last week was a well above usual number because it was the first Raw after Vince McMahon was gone.
Raw was up 17 percent in viewers from last week, up 23 percent in 18-49, and up 21 percent in 18-34.
The show was first in every key demo on cable, doubling everything but Better Call Saul in men 18-49. It also beat every network show in 18-49 except The Bachelorette, including first-run shows on ABC in hour three, NBC in hour one, and Fox all night.
In total viewers, Raw was fifth behind four news shows.
As compared to one year ago, when this week was just a normal summer show since SummerSlam came in August, Raw was up 22 percent in viewers, up 21 percent in 18-49, and up 29 percent in 18-34.
There was a big third-hour drop, but hour three was still well above usual hour three levels. As far as first-to-third hour declines, they were 15 percent with women 18-49, 12 percent in men 18-49, three percent in women 12-34, 13 percent in men 12-34, and 21 percent with people over 50.
The three hours were:
- 8 p.m. 2.43 million viewers
- 9 p.m. 2.29 million viewers
- 10 p.m. 1.97 million viewers
Raw averaged 2.23 million viewers on Monday night.
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