In 2016, it looks like the USA network will be the go-to place to watch WWE. USA is expanding its commitment to WWE and will be bringing SmackDown to the network in the first quarter of 2016. USA already airs Monday Night Raw and will soon start airing episodes of the upcoming return of Tough Enough.
Earlier this year, USA announced the renewal of WWE Tough Enough, premiering Tuesday, June 23, at 8/7c. The reimaged series will feature an all-new format with live elements and more fan participation than ever before. WWE also recently unveiled a new brand campaign “For The Hero in All of Us,” that engages consumers through #MyHeroIs, inviting fans to name their favorite WWE superstars and share personal and inspirational stories of heroism.
Monday Night Raw on USA is the most-watched, regularly scheduled, a year-round program on cable, airing a live three-hour block every Monday night, 52 weeks a year. Raw has been a cable mainstay for more than 20 years and is consistently a top ten show on television, which is a little ironic given of the smash talk that viewers have about it.
SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, behind Raw. This new decision could be huge for USA. Now if only NXT could air on television.