I was looking at a rating archive on wrestlingnewsworld.com and noticed that Smackdown is actually up a good amount from this time last year. Smackdown ratings have gone up a good deal while RAW has stayed the roughly the same. It's pretty amazing that Smackdown is up in my eyes considering all the hype and star power that has gone into RAW.
The cynic in me would say that the overall lack of McMahon's on SD the past few months may have something to do with the rise in the ratings. Also, they may have actually stumbled across someone who is over in a demographic. The failed heel turn of Eddy on Tajiri might be the saving grace for the McMahon's, as that somehow turned Eddy from a somewhat over face to a person who appears to at least bring in viewers.
Latest sign RSN's mind might be fading: The new plan is to vote for Jerry Remy's Wally the Beanbag Buddy as the Democratic Primary for President.
Has Smackdown begun broadcasting in more markets since that time? I don't know when St. Louis got it, but it has only been about a year, I think. I don't know if any other markets or enough markets to make a significant change have been added, though.