We recently noted that FOX Entertainment CEO Charlie Collie spoke about the future of SmackDown Live during the Television Critics Association 2019 yesterday (Wed. February 6, 2019). However, he also added some fuel to a rumor that has been going around for the past several months. Collie said that “other” WWE programming could be airing on FS1. It was not specified what programming Collie was referencing.
However, several months ago it was reported by Pro Wrestling Sheet’s Ryan Satin that an announcement regarding NXT heading to FS1 could be “imminent”:
Hearing from a trusted source that an announcement about NXT/FS1 may be imminent. Stay tuned … https://t.co/MA0WvoW3SZ
— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) June 28, 2018
This would be a big move for NXT, which is widely regarded as WWE’s best programming at the moment. It would be interesting to see how successful WWE’s developmental brand, which has essentially turned into a third major show for the company, does on cable television.
WWE signed a five-year deal with FOX to broadcast SmackDown Live beginning on October 4th. The deal is only for SmackDown Live for now, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see WWE and FOX come to agreements on more WWE programming airing on some of FOX’s other channels, as Collie alluded to.
