SmackDown again posts lowest ratings of 2017
Following the low ratings that Raw posted on Monday night, SmackDown again drew its lowest audience of 2017 this week.
The show averaged 2.300 million viewers on Tuesday night. It’s the second straight week that SmackDown has set a low for the year, with last Tuesday’s episode averaging 2.493 million viewers.
The most significant competition that SmackDown faced on cable came from the NBA playoffs. The Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards game that aired directly opposite the episode was watched by an average of 4.832 million people, and the Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz game that aired later did 4.887 million viewers.
SmackDown was fourth for the night in viewership behind the NBA games and Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News. It also finished fourth for the night in the 18-49 demo behind the basketball games and coverage.
Ratings have predictably dropped since the Superstar Shakeup given the competition from the NBA and that we’re moving away from WrestleMania season, though SmackDown viewership is still comfortably up from what it was doing prior to the brand split.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.