WWE Sets Ambitious Viewership Goal for NXT’s CW Network Debut

WWE is expanding a lot, especially with NXT moving to the CW Network later this year. The show will start this new phase with its first two episodes being filmed on the road. WWE hopes the debut episode on the CW Network will attract a large audience as NXT begins this new chapter.

NXT has been on the USA Network for a long time, but starting in October, it will move to the CW Network. Despite the switch, NXT will still air on Tuesdays after the move, which fans feel is for the best.

Shawn Michaels announced that WWE NXT will celebrate its new partnership with the CW Network by hitting the road. The debut event is scheduled for October 1st at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Afterwards, NXT will travel to St. Louis for show on October 8th. CM Punk is expected to be part of the NXT launch event in Chicago, while Randy Orton will be featured in St. Louis.

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is aiming to attract one million viewers for the show as it moves to the CW Network. Regarding The Bloodline’s appearance on NXT this past Tuesday, Meltzer explained that WWE wants to create the impression that any main roster star could appear on the show, whether announced or unannounced.

On top of that, with the show’s move to the CW Network on October 1, it will need to end at 9:59 p.m. due to many CW stations broadcasting news at 10 p.m., so there will be no more time overruns.

“They really want the idea out for CW that any main roster star could show up unannounced or announced. We’re told another change in the show with the move on 10/1 is that it has to end at 9:59 p.m. because so many of the CW stations have news at 10 p.m., so no more overruns.”

The goal is for NXT to attract younger audiences and there are clearly a lot of plans in order to make NXT’s debut on the CW Network a success, so we’ll have to wait and see if WWE will be able to meet its target.

Do you believe that NXT’s debut on the CW Network next month will manage to get 1 million viewers? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!