CRZ
Big Brother
Administrator
   
   
     
Since: 9.12.01
From: ミネアポリス
Since last post: 2 days
Last activity: 4 hours
|  #1 Posted on 12.4.10 2050.17 | Instant Rating: 8.86 | I did not see this coming, but I guess it kinda makes sense...
Originally posted by Company Town (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
WWE's 'Smackdown' moving to Syfy
April 12, 2010 | 6:00 pm
Syfy Channel has pinned a deal for "Smackdown."
World Wrestling Entertainment Inc's "Smackdown," which for years was a mainstay on the UPN and CW networks before moving to News Corp.'s My Network TV, is now headed to NBC Universal's Syfy Channel, people close to the situation said.
A deal, which will be announced later this week, further solidifies the growing relationship between NBC Universal and Vince McMahon's WWE. Syfy already carries the show "NXT," which is a reality program featuring wannabe wrestlers trying to make it to the big leagues of WWE. NBC Universal's USA cable channel also carries WWE programming including "WWE Raw."
Although terms were not disclosed, My Network TV was shelling out roughly $20 million a year for "Smackdown." Syfy's price tag is believed to be closer to $30 million a year.
Although "Smackdown" is more than 10 years old, it still does very well with men, particularly the 18-34 demographic, and generally averages about 3.5 million viewers overall. "Smackdown" will continue to air on Friday nights when it moves to Syfy later this year, most likely in either late September or early October.
WWE is still looking to launch its own cable network, probably sometime in 2011. This latest deal with NBC Universal is another sign that the two could end up partnering on such a channel. WWE chief Vince McMahon has close relationships with NBC Universal brass, particularly Dick Ebersol, who oversees all sports programming for the company. Just a few weeks ago, Ebersol took part in an induction ceremony for broadcaster Bob Uecker into the WWE's hall of fame, which was also broadcast as a special on the USA Network.
-- Joe Flint
[via @Lagana, who speculates that maybe they'll change nights while they're at it]
I think this also might spell an eventual, impending doom for NXT, but we'll see...
(edited by CRZ on 12.4.10 2052)
   | Promote this thread! |           | hansen9j
Bierwurst
Since: 7.11.02
From: Riderville, SK
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 15 hours
|  #2 Posted on 12.4.10 2053.39 | Instant Rating: 7.88 | That's quite amazing that after two years in the wasteland that is MyBroadcastSyndicationServiceTV, they actually got a 50% raise in their fees.
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects.
"This topic is going to suck to read in three years." -Psycho Penguin
"Well. Shit." -hansen9j | hansen9j
Bierwurst
Since: 7.11.02
From: Riderville, SK
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 15 hours
| #3 Posted on 12.4.10 2119.05 | Instant Rating: 7.88 | Meltz says the raise doesn't add up:
It's a major expense as Syfy will reportedly pay $30 million per year for the program, an increase from $20 million the report stated that MyNetwork was paying. That figure doesn't sound correct since CW was paying $700,000 per episode which would have been $36.4 million per year and a difference of that much money would have been evident on the annual reports.
Makes more sense.
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects.
"This topic is going to suck to read in three years." -Psycho Penguin
"Well. Shit." -hansen9j | redsoxnation
Scrapple
Since: 24.7.02
Since last post: 17 hours
Last activity: 4 min.
| #4 Posted on 12.4.10 2153.55 | Instant Rating: 4.87 | | Still think it would have made more sense for NBC Universal/Comcast(how much of a voice did they have in this decision?) had centralized the programming and put SD on USA. 4 decades have shown the fans will view the product on USA, nothing has shown yet that a large segment of fans will follow the product to Syfy. | thecubsfan
Scrapple
Moderator
Since: 10.12.01
From: Aurora, IL
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 9 hours
| #5 Posted on 12.4.10 2237.42 | Instant Rating: 10.00 | I think USA has decided Friday night is a safe night to launch new original series of their own. They moved Psych off that night, but they probably still want that spot open for whatever's next.
I still believe Versus makes the most sense for everyone involved, but I'd guess that deal isn't done and won't be for a while.
Agree that NXT is probably not long for this world. But by October, they may be finishing "Season 2" and not so interested in a 3rd.
thecubsfan.com - luchablog | odessasteps
Scrapple
Since: 2.1.02
From: MD, USA
Since last post: 6 days
Last activity: 12 hours
| #6 Posted on 12.4.10 2322.39 | Instant Rating: 6.22 | Originally posted by thecubsfan
I think USA has decided Friday night is a safe night to launch new original series of their own. They moved Psych off that night, but they probably still want that spot open for whatever's next.
I still believe Versus makes the most sense for everyone involved, but I'd guess that deal isn't done and won't be for a while.
Agree that NXT is probably not long for this world. But by October, they may be finishing "Season 2" and not so interested in a 3rd.
Comcast probably doesn't want wrestling on VS, if they continue to build up an ESPN-like sports network of channels.
(edited by odessasteps on 13.4.10 0023)
Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine
ISSUE FOUR - OCTOBER 2009 | StaggerLee
Scrapple
Since: 3.10.02
From: ST Louis
Since last post: 7 hours
Last activity: 6 hours
| AIM: |  |
| | | Y!: |  |
|
| #7 Posted on 13.4.10 0111.29 | Instant Rating: 2.59 | | Well, maybe now the video quality might be upgraded from an "independent television" station look. Not sure about the rest of the country, but here in St Louis, it looks like a third rate product. | Peter The Hegemon
Lap cheong
Since: 11.2.03
From: Hackettstown, NJ
Since last post: 5 hours
Last activity: 5 hours
| #8 Posted on 13.4.10 0139.46 | Instant Rating: 7.03 | Originally posted by thecubsfan
I think USA has decided Friday night is a safe night to launch new original series of their own. They moved Psych off that night, but they probably still want that spot open for whatever's next.
Fair enough...but Friday night has been the ONLY night that SyFy has been putting out signficant original series most of the time. I guess Eureka was an exception, but the BSG and Stargate shows have pretty much always aired on Fridays, and those are the shows which most appeal to the real sci-fi folks out there. Putting wrestling on those night will piss off their core fans AND give them less room to spotlight those shows (since anything on Friday nights is going to seem more notable to that audience). If it's going to be on SyFy--and that doesn't make all that much sense to me--it probably should be on another night.
Does this spell the end of MyNetwork? When your highest-profile shows are reruns of game shows from syndication, I'd say it's time to pack it in. Maybe the last SD on MyNetwork can feature some kind of Howie Mandel and the models vs. Jeff Foxworthy and the fifth graders match to put an end to the network. | lotjx
Knackwurst
Since: 5.9.08
Since last post: 23 hours
Last activity: 4 min.
| #9 Posted on 13.4.10 0903.02 | Instant Rating: 1.44 | | Well, I can actually watch it now. I also agree that NXT is probably doomed. Smackdown will just go live and it would be nice to have back to back nights of wrestling. I also agree that USA is the best place for the WWE. Moving around networks has not helped Smackdown at all. Hopefully this will be their last move for awhile. | John Orquiola
Scrapple
Since: 28.2.02
From: Boston
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 1 day
| #10 Posted on 13.4.10 0919.35 | Instant Rating: 5.51 | WWE NXT CANCELLED (says PWInsider)
http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=46690
By Mike Johnson on 2010-04-13 09:36:29
The word making the rounds in Stamford, CT this morning is that when WWE moves Smackdown to SyFy in October, NXT will finish its run.
No one else shall be wild and young after October.
Wait, does this mean the "competition" will be dragged out until October now? Or will they attempted an abbreviated "season 2"?
@BackoftheHead
www.backofthehead.com | Matt Tracker
Scrapple
Since: 8.5.03
From: North Carolina
Since last post: 22 hours
Last activity: 1 hour
| #11 Posted on 13.4.10 0933.33 | Instant Rating: 7.00 | Thank God. My local affiliates (first CW, now MyNetwork) squished the feed to make it widescreen. Now I can watch it properly.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker | lotjx
Knackwurst
Since: 5.9.08
Since last post: 23 hours
Last activity: 4 min.
| #12 Posted on 13.4.10 0935.58 | Instant Rating: 1.44 | | Its a bad move to send a good chunk Syfy's original programming either to Tuesday nights or scattered to the four winds. I also think having it on Friday nights is still a bad idea when Thursday or live on Tuesday would work better. The geek rage from this could be epic rage could be epic, I think I'll spend the rest of the day at Syfy's message board to see the reactions. | Spiraling_Shape
Toulouse
Since: 2.1.02
From: PA
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 9 hours
| #13 Posted on 13.4.10 1121.18 | Instant Rating: 0.92 | It's officially official:
http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2010/WWECorporate-2010_04_13.jsp
Looks like SD! stays on Fridays, Syfy's Friday shows move to Tuesdays and NXT is either cancelled or shuffles to another network in October...
"Unless you did something unspeakable with a cactus, 'Shaqtus' is not a real word." - Santino Marella | John Orquiola
Scrapple
Since: 28.2.02
From: Boston
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 1 day
| #14 Posted on 13.4.10 1231.19 | Instant Rating: 5.51 |
Aw. Nerds were kicked off of Friday nights on their own network by Vince McMahon, swaggering, insufferable uber-jock. This is the plot of a bad 80's comedy.
Watch wrestling on Friday nights or go outside, nerds!
“WWE® is the ultimate in imagination-based sports entertainment. The fantastical thrills of Friday Night SmackDown provide an ideal addition to the Syfy slate." Tee hee. I love that logic.
(edited by John Orquiola on 13.4.10 1038)
@BackoftheHead
www.backofthehead.com | Cerebus
Knackwurst
Since: 17.11.02
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 7 hours
| #15 Posted on 14.4.10 0041.44 | Instant Rating: 1.48 | Will I finally get that dream match I've been waiting for... The Undertaker Vs. The Zombie!?!?!?
Forget it Josh... it's Cerebustown. | Psycho Penguin
Liverwurst
Since: 24.6.07
From: Greenacres FL
Since last post: 957 days
Last activity: 953 days
| AIM: |  |
| | | Y!: |  |
|
| #16 Posted on 14.4.10 0048.53 | Instant Rating: 1.23 | why don't they just move Smackdown to Tuesdays? They were airing ECW live on Tuesdays for a while so I don't want to hear anything about cost, and it would prevent the spoilers problem. Plus that way they could keep NXT on Wednesday or Thursday and keep their Friday programming the same. It'd make a lot of sense.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/9471.html
http://www.runningondew.com
"I think that in five years, Orton is far more likely to be in Billy Gunn Land than being a major player in WWE." - Big Bad - 11/22/03 | lotjx
Knackwurst
Since: 5.9.08
Since last post: 23 hours
Last activity: 4 min.
| #17 Posted on 14.4.10 0738.13 | Instant Rating: 1.44 | Syfy doesn't want NXT anymore which is one of the reasons getting Smackdown. Syfy pushed for a new show since ECW wasn't getting the ratings it used to thanks mainly due to the writing as well as their main stars quitting, dying or moved around thanks to the draft. ECW was only starting to come into its own with Christian/Swagger/Tommy and the new star initiative. Yet, it didn't boost the ratings that much which should have been a sign that NXT wasn't going to do well either if you just had a show that was 50% on building new stars. They got a good rating for their first night due to the hype, but like how shows now a days after that first big night, ratings tend to go down. Syfy hasn't caught on to that concept or they realized re-runs of Star Trek: TNG would get almost the same rating and cost a lot less.
Syfy is just a bad network to have wrestling on. It would be better to have Smackdown on USA since Raw has been on that network for most of its existence and the show looks better on that channel for some reason. I am sure NXT to Bravo will be option if not its going to be a web series either way its pretty much a bust, but Vince won't conceded one of his ideas is a failure until he has tried everything in his power to keep it on. | John Orquiola
Scrapple
Since: 28.2.02
From: Boston
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 1 day
| #18 Posted on 14.4.10 1016.40 | Instant Rating: 5.51 | Originally posted by Psycho Penguin
why don't they just move Smackdown to Tuesdays? They were airing ECW live on Tuesdays for a while so I don't want to hear anything about cost, and it would prevent the spoilers problem. Plus that way they could keep NXT on Wednesday or Thursday and keep their Friday programming the same. It'd make a lot of sense.
I agree moving Smackdown to a live format on Tuesdays would be good and make sense, but I believe the thinking is it's more advantageous to the company to have WWE programming spread out throughout the week than to have it all lumped over the course of 2-3 days (Sundays to Tuesdays on PPV weeks). Maybe it's a remnant of the Monday Night Wars but to have WWE to look forward to at the start of the week and at the end of the week, with something in the middle, would seem to WWE to be a more appealing lifestyle for the WWE Universe.
@BackoftheHead
www.backofthehead.com | Psycho Penguin
Liverwurst
Since: 24.6.07
From: Greenacres FL
Since last post: 957 days
Last activity: 953 days
| AIM: | |
| | | Y!: | |
|
| #19 Posted on 14.4.10 2205.43 | Instant Rating: 1.23 |
but Vince won't conceded one of his ideas is a failure until he has tried everything in his power to keep it on.
That's why we had 14 seasons of the XFL, right?
Originally posted by John Orquiola
Originally posted by Psycho Penguin
why don't they just move Smackdown to Tuesdays? They were airing ECW live on Tuesdays for a while so I don't want to hear anything about cost, and it would prevent the spoilers problem. Plus that way they could keep NXT on Wednesday or Thursday and keep their Friday programming the same. It'd make a lot of sense.
I agree moving Smackdown to a live format on Tuesdays would be good and make sense, but I believe the thinking is it's more advantageous to the company to have WWE programming spread out throughout the week than to have it all lumped over the course of 2-3 days (Sundays to Tuesdays on PPV weeks). Maybe it's a remnant of the Monday Night Wars but to have WWE to look forward to at the start of the week and at the end of the week, with something in the middle, would seem to WWE to be a more appealing lifestyle for the WWE Universe.
I figured that was the reason, but they could put NXT on Friday. yeah, it's not the same, but at this point I would try it if I was theem.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/9471.html
http://www.runningondew.com
"I think that in five years, Orton is far more likely to be in Billy Gunn Land than being a major player in WWE." - Big Bad - 11/22/03 | Cerebus
Knackwurst
Since: 17.11.02
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 7 hours
| #20 Posted on 15.4.10 0329.18 | Instant Rating: 1.48 | They have to have a friday show to push the sunday PPVs. Just like they need RAW on mondays to give viewers the fall out from the PPVs.
Wrestling viewers have shitty memories, remember?
Forget it Josh... it's Cerebustown. | | Pages: 1 2 Next
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Thread rated: 4.38