WWE SmackDown Viewership Plummets to Historic Low on August 29th
WWE SmackDown on August 29, 2024, recorded its lowest viewership in the show’s history, drawing an average of 1.889 million viewers, according to preliminary data from ShowBuzzDaily. The broadcast, airing from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time on FOX, also achieved a 0.46 rating in the key 18-49 demographic-another all-time low.
This dramatic decline in viewership raises meaningful concerns for WWE as it navigates a competitive landscape and prepares for major events like SummerSlam. Lower ratings impact advertising revenue and possibly influence network negotiations. The struggling numbers come amidst a period of storyline development and build towards upcoming pay-per-view matches, signaling a potential disconnect between the product and its audience. WWE executives will likely analyze the factors contributing to the drop, including competition from other programming and the effectiveness of current storylines, to implement strategies for regaining viewership.
The august 29th episode featured ongoing storylines involving Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and other prominent WWE Superstars. Despite the in-ring action, the show failed to capture the attention of its usual audience. The previous low for SmackDown viewership was 1.919 million, set on July 19, 2024.
The hour-by-hour breakdown revealed a consistent downward trend: the first hour averaged 2.039 million viewers wiht a 0.51 rating, while the second hour dropped to 1.739 million viewers and a 0.41 rating. This indicates a significant audience attrition throughout the broadcast.
