The switch of networks for WWE's SmackDown has had a positive impact on the ratings, at least initially. The first edition of SmackDown on the USA Network on January 7th drew more viewers than recent editions of the broadcast on its former home, the SyFy Channel. SmackDown this week drew an average of 2.757 million viewers. The final cable broadcast rating for the show was a 1.93 (translation, 1.93% of television viewers watching TV Thursday evening that have access to the USA Network tuned into the show). Recent episodes of SmackDown had been drawing around 2.3 million viewers on SyFy. As far as the cable rating (1.93) goes, this was the highest rated SmackDown since a post WrestleMania 31 episode in 2015 finished with a 1.94 cable rating. It will be interesting to see next week where the ratings fall. WWE clearly wants SmackDown to be viewed as more of an "A show" now that it has moved to the USA Network alongside RAW. The show has been cast as a "B show" for many years, so it will take several good shows and much advertising to change the fan's perception and make Thursday night wrestling must-see once again.
