Report: FOX Possibly Losing Money On WWE SmackDown

Friday Night SmackDown is possibly a loss leader for FOX.

SmackDown has aired on FOX since October 2019, moving to the network following the last round of rights fees negotiations that sees WWE pocket $205 million per year. SmackDown will remain on FOX until 2024.

While FOX spends $205 million per year for SmackDown, the network might not be making that money back. Speaking about WWE's next TV rights fees negotiations on Wrestlenomics Radio, Brandon Thurston estimated that SmackDown generates $64 million per year in advertising revenue when the show airs live. SmackDown then earns an estimated $51 million in retransmissions for FOX. Those numbers don't come close to the $205 million that FOX pays to air SmackDown, though.

Thurston noted his estimates were based on sources of Morgan Stanley who revealed an ad during SmackDown costs approximately $27,000.

Although WWE might be a loss leader for FOX, SmackDown is predicted to see a rights fee increase in 2024 and WWE are confident that will be the case. Outside of SmackDown, both Monday Night Raw and NXT air on the USA network.