According to The Hollywood Reporter’s Matthew Belloni, we could see RAW and Smackdown on separate networks in the future.
Belloni reported NBCUniversal is allowing WWE Smackdown Live to go to open bidding, but RAW would remain with the network. It was noted that a new deal for RAW would be worth three times the current value, which would open up Smackdown moving to a new network.
Footage Of Stephanie McMahon’s NBC Upfronts Presentation (Video), The B Team Is Undefeated On RAW!
It has been long rumored that FOX had been looking to acquire both WWE RAW and WWE Smackdown once the wrestling company’s current contract expires. Michael McCarthy of Sporting News had previously reported that if the deal went through, RAW would be featured on FOX, while Smackdown would be aired on FOX Sports (FS1).
WWE’s deal with USA / NBC expires on Sept. 30, 2019, and they are currently in an exclusive negotiating period with each other until the end of this spring.
