Breaking: FOX Sports Officially Becomes New Home Of SmackDown Live; Vince McMahon Comments, More

WWE has just released the following press release:

FOX SPORTS BECOMES NEW HOME OF SMACKDOWN^® LIVE

NEW YORK and STAMFORD, Conn., June 26, 2018 – For the first time, every Friday night beginning October 4, 2019, FOX broadcast network will air WWE®’s flagship program SmackDown Live as part of a new five-year agreement with FOX Sports. The weekly, two-hour live event will air 52 weeks a year and captivate fans with a unique combination of edge-of-your-seat action, unpredictable drama and world-class athleticism.

“At FOX we are thrilled to welcome WWE to the FOX Sports family and bring SmackDown Live to broadcast television,” said Eric Shanks, President, COO and Executive Producer FOX Sports. “We are huge fans and know that together FOX Sports will be the leader in live events for the foreseeable future.”

“WWE and FOX are a perfect match,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Moving SmackDown Live to broadcast TV and having the ability to leverage FOX’s extensive portfolio of world-class sporting events will expand the reach of our flagship programming.”

SmackDown Live is a consistent winner on television, currently averaging¹ 1.3M P18-49, 1.3M P25-54 and 3M total viewers P2+.

On air for almost 20 years and nearly 1,000 episodes, SmackDown Live is the second-longest running weekly episodic cable television show in U.S. primetime history, only behind Monday Night Raw®. SmackDown Live is currently among the most-watched, regularly scheduled programs on primetime cable and delivers more viewers in primetime than any cable network in the U.S. (2.9 million average viewers).

SmackDown Live has also helped launch the careers of pop-culture icons including Dwayne “The Rock®” Johnson, John Cena®, Undertaker®, Triple H®, “Stone Cold®” Steve Austin and The Bella Twins™.

¹: Source: Nielsen NNTV, 2018 YTD through April (1/1/18-4/30/18), Live+7 Average Viewers for selected demographics (P18-49, P25-54, P2+).

About FOX Sports

FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FS1, FS2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, including FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app. Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.

About WWE

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG, family-friendly programming can be seen in more than 800 million homes worldwide in 24 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo. Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

WWE For Your Consideration Triple H Stephanie Jimmy Uso Naomi Braun Charlotte Sasha

WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

Wrestlers Kofi Kingston (L), Big E (C) and Xavier Woods (R) of "The New Day" arrive at the first-ever WWE Emmy For Your Consideration event at the TV Academy Saban Media Center, in North Hollywood (near Los Angeles), on June 6, 2018 (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

Wrestler Paul "Triple H" Levesque arrives at the first-ever WWE Emmy For Your Consideration event at the TV Academy Saban Media Center, in North Hollywood (near Los Angeles), on June 6, 2018 (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Jimmy Uso attends WWE's first-ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Brie Bella and Nikki Bella attend WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Sasha Banks attends WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Braun Strowman attends WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Sasha Banks attends WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Paul "Triple H" Levesque and Stephanie McMahon attend WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Shawn Michaels attends WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Ronda Rousey and Shawn Michaels attend WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Brie Bella and Nikki Bella attend WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Brie Bella attends WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Brie Bella and Nikki Bella attend WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Brie Bella and Nikki Bella attend WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Ronda Rousey arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Ronda Rousey arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Shawn Michaels arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Ronda Rousey arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Ronda Rousey, Shawn Michaels arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Nia Jax arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Seth Green arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Alexa Bliss arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Braun Strowman arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Braun Strowman arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Nikki Bella arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Roman Reigns arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Triple H arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Triple H arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Triple H arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Charlotte Flair arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Charlotte Flair;Triple H arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Triple H, Stephanie McMahon arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Triple H, Stephanie McMahon arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Stephanie McMahon arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Naomi arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Jimmy Uso arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Jimmy Uso, Naomi arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Jimmy Uso, Naomi arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WWE For Your Consideration Red Carpet

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods arrives at the WWE's First-Ever Emmy "For Your Consideration" Event at Saban Media Center on June 6, 2018 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)