USA and WWE to be in the ring together through 2014
USA Network and World Wrestling Entertainment will continue to be partners in the squared circle as an accord has been reached that will keep "WWE Monday Night Raw" on the network through 2014.
USA and WWE to be in the ring together through 2014
USA Network has signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment that will have the franchise airing on the cable network through the fall of 2014.According to an article on Variety.com, "'WWE Monday Night Raw' continues to perform strongly for USA, which took a ratings hit in the early 2000s when the franchise migrated to Spike TV for five years.'" Since 1995, "Raw" has been a staple on the USA Network's primetime schedule and is responsible for keeping the cable channel top in the ratings. Prior to 1995, "Raw" had spent five years on Spike TV but came back to USA due to contract issues between WWE and Viacom, which owns Spike TV.
"I couldn't be happier about continuing one of the most successful collaborations in television history," said NBC Universal Cable Ent./Univeral Cable Prods. prexy Bonnie Hammer said of the new four-year pact.
"Raw's" ratings, both in total viewers and adults 18-49, rose this fall thanks to the show's wide assortment of celebrity guest hosts such as basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, rocker Ozzy Osbourne, rapper Snoop Dogg and the Rev. Al Sharpton among others.
The Variety.com article also mentions that, "'Raw' is averaging 5.5 million viewers year-to-date, and 2.7 million among adults 18-49.'"
WWE chairman/CEO Vince McMahon has even remarked on how the channel is a "true partner and not just a network that distributes WWE's premiere television show."
