CW president calls WWE NXT an ‘absolute game changer’ for network

CW president Brad Schwartz is very pleased with the relationship his network has formed with WWE.

While speaking to Variety on Tuesday, Schwartz praised NXT as an “absolute game changer” for The CW. He believes it’s a mutually beneficial relationship where WWE has also benefitted by having NXT on the channel.

“It’s been an absolute game changer for the CW, and I think it’s been a game changer for WWE,” Schwartz said. “This last quarter that just ended was the highest rated NXT quarter in five years. It’s up 19 percent year-over-year.”

Variety’s interview with Schwartz was published during TV upfronts week, where networks unveil their upcoming schedule and promote their programming to advertisers. He hyped that NXT is beating Fox’s network programming in the key advertising demos some Tuesdays.

“In adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, we’re regularly beating Fox on Tuesday nights. It’s unheard of,” Schwartz told Variety. “So it’s been absolutely crushing for us. It’s one of the big reasons why our network as a whole is up 40 percent season-over-season…Besides animation on Fox, [NXT] has the highest concentration of 18-49 and 25-54 on all broadcast.”

After previously airing on USA Network, NXT moved to The CW in October 2024. It’s a five-year deal for NXT to air on the station, with The CW adding NXT as part of its strategy to have more live sports programming on the network.

In the Variety interview, Schwartz said The CW is always in contact with WWE about expanding their partnership.

“Schwartz also said that WWE and CW are ‘constantly’ discussing new ways to expand their relationship, including additional WWE programming on the network,” Variety wrote. “CW has already moved to get NXT talent involved in other programming across their slate, including Tony D’Angelo appearing on the procedural ‘Wild Cards’ and Trick Williams making an appearance on ‘All American.'”

NXT airs on The CW at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesdays. Tonight’s show will continue the build to NXT’s Battleground PLE that’s taking place on May 25.

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