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>Pro wrestling is getting smacked down by FOX.
>The long-running "Smackdown" won't be airing on FOX this fall, the network and World Wrestling Entertainment said late Sunday. In separate announcements, they stated that "after a successful four years of 'Smackdown,"' they had agreed to conclude their partnership after the 2022-2023 season.
>No reasons were offered.
>WWE added that it began talks with other networks after FOX's exclusive period to negotiate a renewal ended Jan. 31. Although no details were disclosed for a possible new home for the show, candidates might include NBC Universal, whose USA cable channel already carries "WWE Raw," and MyNetworkTV, where some affiliates aired "Smackdown" when they were UPN stations.
>The two-hour "Smackdown" premiered on FOX in fall 2019 as strategic counterprogramming on Fridays. "Smackdown" gave FOX a foothold on that night of bruising prime-time competition, but even as a ratings contender, it proved to be a sometimes uncomfortable fit with FOX's image.
https://www.deseret.com/2008/2/9/20069511/fox-smacks-down-smackdown
>The long-running "Smackdown" won't be airing on FOX this fall, the network and World Wrestling Entertainment said late Sunday. In separate announcements, they stated that "after a successful four years of 'Smackdown,"' they had agreed to conclude their partnership after the 2022-2023 season.
>No reasons were offered.
>WWE added that it began talks with other networks after FOX's exclusive period to negotiate a renewal ended Jan. 31. Although no details were disclosed for a possible new home for the show, candidates might include NBC Universal, whose USA cable channel already carries "WWE Raw," and MyNetworkTV, where some affiliates aired "Smackdown" when they were UPN stations.
>The two-hour "Smackdown" premiered on FOX in fall 2019 as strategic counterprogramming on Fridays. "Smackdown" gave FOX a foothold on that night of bruising prime-time competition, but even as a ratings contender, it proved to be a sometimes uncomfortable fit with FOX's image.
https://www.deseret.com/2008/2/9/20069511/fox-smacks-down-smackdown
