Syfy is replacing its successful Friday night lineup with "WWE SmackDown."
The network Tuesday said that it has signed a multiyear deal with WWE to bring the former UPN/CW/MyNetworkTV franchise to Syfy starting Oct. 1. In order to make room for the show, "Warehouse 13," "Eureka" and other Friday scripted series will relocate to Tuesday nights.
"Smackdown" replaces another WWE brand, "NXT," which we honestly had no idea even existed. If only our former TVWeek colleague Andrew Krukowski were here to explain it. (Too inside? Sorry. It’s my blog. I get three obscure references a month).
"The fantastical thrills of ‘Friday Night SmackDown’ provide an ideal addition to the Syfy slate, as it targets the younger male and female demographics, which are the fastest growing categories for WWE,” said SyFy president Dave Howe. “There is bigger opportunity for (scripted) series… to thrive on a night with a significantly larger number of viewers available to watch live.”
"SmackDown" has been averaging 3.4 million viewers on MyNet, Syfy said. News of the acquisition was first reported by the LA Times’ Company Town blog.
What will MyNet do without "Smackdown"?
Really: Ask yourself. Do you care?
That’s what we thought.
