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CW Boss on NXT’s Move to the Broadcast Network: ‘It’s Been an Absolute Game Changer’
WWE's developmental program, NXT, has been airing on The CW since October 2024 and the broadcaster couldn't be more thrilled with the results
variety.com
WWE‘s developmental program, NXT, has been airing on The CW since October 2024 and the broadcaster couldn’t be more thrilled with the results.
“It’s been an absolute game changer for the CW, and I think it’s been a game changer for WWE,” Brad Schwartz, president of The CW, in an interview with Variety. “This last quarter that just ended was the highest rated NXT quarter in five years. It’s up 19% year over year.”
NXT moved to The CW from USA Network, where it was a mainstay along with other WWE programming from 2019-2024. With the move to CW, it marks the first time NXT has aired on a broadcast network.
Schwartz spoke with Variety ahead of the Nexstar upfront presentation to advertisers in New York. He was very high on the positive working relationship between The CW and WWE, going so far as to play a video off his phone of NXT creative head Shawn Michaels praising the network during a recent panel at WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas.
Schwartz also said that WWE and CW are “constantly” discussing new ways to expand their relationship, including additional WWE programming on the network. CW has already moved to get NXT talent involved in other programming across their slate, including Tony D’Angelo appearing on the procedural “Wild Cards” and Trick Williams making an appearance on “All American.”
“In adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, we’re regularly beating Fox on Tuesday nights. It’s unheard of,” Schwartz said. “So it’s been absolutely crushing for us. It’s one of the big reasons why our network as a whole is up 40% season over season…Besides animation on Fox, [NXT] has the highest concentration of 18-49 and 25-54 on all broadcast.”
