WWE’s NXT will move from USA Network to The CW in the new rights deal

WWE’s weekly NXT show is heading to The CW Network.

NXT, which serves as a showcase for WWE’s developmental talent, currently airs on USA Network but will move to The CW in October 2024 in a new five-year deal.

NXT will air weekly throughout the year on The CW, marking the first time the show has aired on broadcast television since launching in its weekly format in 2012.

“Between the new leadership and ownership, the economics of the deal and with their broadcast network now in over 100 million homes, it made no sense to move NXT, one of our signature weekly shows, to The CW,” Nick Khan said. WWE Chairman.

NXT is the brainchild of Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who now serves as WWE’s chief content officer. The show is currently run by Shawn Michaels, himself a WWE superstar with a legendary in-ring career.

Since its launch, NXT has become an integral part of WWE’s talent development process. According to WWE, nearly 90% of the participants at last year’s WrestleMania were developed under the NXT banner. Current stars like Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, and Charlotte Flair all got their start in WWE through NXT.

“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand to the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission of bringing live sporting events to the network year-round,” said Dennis Miller, President of The CW Network. “WWE NXT is a perfect fit for The CW with its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and unpredictable, exhilarating weekly events. The passion and commitment of the WWE fanbase is unparalleled, and we are dedicated to growing that audience as the new home of WWE NXT on TV broadcast.

WWE recently merged with the UFC to form TKO Group Holdings, with both WWE and UFC falling under the Endeavor umbrella. Since then, WWE announced that the television rights to “SmackDown” have been sold to NBCUniversal’s USA Network in a five-year deal worth $1.4 billion. “SmackDown” currently airs on Fox but will move to USA Network in October 2024. “SmackDown” previously aired on The CW as well, between 2006 and 2008, and on its predecessor UPN from 1999 to 2006. TKO Group filed its first earnings report Not at all before the NXT announcement.

There’s still no word on the future of WWE’s “Monday Night Raw,” which has aired on USA Network for most of its 30-year history, but it’s expected to move to a new home next year as well.

NXT is the latest live sports action the CW has done since Nexstar acquired the network. The CW also currently airs ACC Football, Basketball and LIV Golf, while shows like “Inside the NFL” and the NASCAR Xfinity Series will soon join the lineup.