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Post by Head Booker on Feb 8, 2008 16:45:55 GMT -6
By FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer 57 minutes ago
Pro wrestling is getting smacked down by the CW network.
The long-running "Friday Night Smackdown" won't be airing on the CW this fall, the network and World Wrestling Entertainment said late Thursday. In separate announcements, they stated that "after a successful decade of `Smackdown,'" they had agreed to conclude their partnership after the 2007-08 season.
No reasons were offered.
WWE added that it began talks with other networks after the CW'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 then-fledgling UPN in fall 1999 as strategic counterprogramming on Thursdays. "Smackdown" gave UPN 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 UPN's image.
When UPN, owned by CBS, merged with Warner Bros.' WB in 2006, "Smackdown" seemed no less out of place on the resulting CW network.
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Post by Head Booker on Feb 11, 2008 15:12:09 GMT -6
credit Wrestling Observer
On cable, they can only go to stations under the NBC Universal umbrella, like USA and Sci-Fi. Spike or TBS are contractually prohibited. The best bet seems to be MyNetworkTV, which is in basically the same number of homes as CW, but desperately needs a show that will draw ratings. It would make sense for MNTV to move the show back to Thursday, because you should have your star show on a night viewership is highest. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.
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Post by The Root on Feb 12, 2008 19:28:14 GMT -6
THURSDAY NIGHT WARS!!!!
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Post by The Root on Feb 12, 2008 19:30:59 GMT -6
Sorry for the double post, but this could be awesome.
Granted, Smackdown and TNA would only be competing for an hour, but now that TNA is going live and Smackdown is taped...TNA could easily pull a WCW during their opening hour and be like, why do you want to watch Smackdown's main event when so and so wins by such and such a way.
I don't know, just quick random thinking, but seriously. Impact vs Smackdown could give wrestling a much needed jolt.
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Post by Icon Lord Leon Corbin on Feb 12, 2008 21:28:26 GMT -6
Of course we won't get to see it those times aired but I'd love to see the war 
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Post by Head Booker on Feb 26, 2008 11:20:34 GMT -6
WWE released the following press release today: Network Is the Exclusive Prime-Time Broadcast Home of "WWE® SmackDown®" Beginning Fall 2008 NEW YORK – MyNetworkTV and World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE) have announced a new broadcast television home for "WWE SmackDown," scheduled to debut in Fall 2008. The announcement was jointly made by MyNetworkTV President, Greg Meidel and WWE Chairman of the Board Vincent K. McMahon. In making the announcement, Meidel stated, "The momentum at MyNetworkTV continues with this major acquisition. We have demonstrated tremendous growth and this partnership with WWE, the premier sports entertainment franchise in the world is a perfect fit for our viewers, advertisers and affiliates." The two-hour television program will be presented weekly on MyNetworkTV. "WWE SmackDown" will feature a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars, including Edge®, Rey Mysterio®, Batista®, MVP™, Kane® and Undertaker®, as well as present all the action, excitement, drama and great athleticism that have made it for nine years one of the most popular programs among males on broadcast television, and one of the top ten English language prime time programs among Hispanic households. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon added, "We are excited to add MyNetworkTV and its television affiliates to our family of global network partners. We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we've worked with in our long and storied history. We fully intend to bring that same level of success to MyNetworkTV." About MyNetworkTV MyNetworkTV is a primetime general entertainment broadcast television network. Reaching over 97% of the country and targeted to Adults 18-49, MyNetworkTV provides its affiliates 12 hours of diverse programming Monday through Saturday, including "Celebrity Exposé," Langley Productions' "Jail" and "Street Patrol" and debuting in Spring 2008, "Under One Roof" starring Flavor Flav. For more information, please visit www.mynetworktv.com. About World Wrestling Entertainment The WWE produces original weekly programming, 52 weeks per year, distributed domestically, internationally and via WWE.com. WWE programs reach more than 16 million total viewers during the average week. Our domestic cable and broadcast programs include "Monday Night RAW" and "A.M. RAW" on USA Network and "ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling" on the Sci Fi Channel. WWE's television programming can also be seen in more than 130 countries around the world on broadcast partners including BSkyB in the UK and Foxtel in Australia. Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to www.wwe.com/worldwide/. -30- Media Contacts: MyNetworkTV -- Jessica Moss, 212-301-3817 MyNetworkTV -- Erica Keane, 212-301-3613 WWE -- Gary Davis, 203-353-5066 Investor Contact: WWE -- Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642 Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant. |
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Post by Head Booker on Feb 26, 2008 23:53:50 GMT -6
From PWInsider -
For those of you wondering where you will be able to find Smackdown this fall locally, the complete list of current MyNetworkTV affiliates are as follows:
ALABAMA
Birmingham - WABM-68
Dothan - WTVY-DT
Huntsville-Decatur - WAMY
Mobile - WFGX-35
Montgomery - WRJM-67
ALASKA
Anchorage - KYES-5
Juneau - K17HC-17
ARIZONA
Phoenix - KUTP-45
Tucson - KTTU-18
Yuma - KECY-9
ARKANSAS
Fort Smith - KPBI-10
Little Rock-Pinebluff - KWBF-42
CALIFORNIA
Bakersfield - KUVI-45
Chico-Redding - KRVU-21
Eureka - KUVU-33
Fresno - KAIL-53
Los Angeles -KCOP-13
Monterery-Salinas - KOTR
Palm Springs - KPSE-13
Sacramento - KQCA-58
San Diego - XHDTV-49
San Francisco - KRON-4
Santa Barbara - KEYT-DT
COLORADO
Colorado Springs - KKTV-DT
Denver - KTVD-20
Grand Junction - KGJT-27
CONNECTICUT
Hartford-New Haven - WCTX-59
FLORIDA
Ft. Myers-Naples - WNFM-8
Gainesville - WMYG/WGFL-DT2
Jacksonville - WAWS-DT
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale - WBFS-33
Orlando-Daytona Beach - WRBW-65
Panama City - WJHG-DT3
Tallahassee - WCTV-DT
Tampa - WTTA-38
West Palm Beach - WTCN-43
GEORGIA
Albany-Moultrie - WSWG
Atlanta - WATL-36
Augusta - WRDW-DT
Columbus - WXTX-TV
Macon - WGXA-DT2
Savannah - WSAV-DT
HAWAII
Honolulu - KFV-E
IDAHO
Twin Falls - ID-58
ILLINOIS
Champaign - WCFN-49
Chicago - WPWR-50
Peoria - WAOE-59
Rockford - WTVO-DT
INDIANA
Evansville - WTSN/WEVV-DT-63
Fort Wayne - WISE-DT
Indianapolis - WNDY-23
South Bend - WMYS-6
IOWA
Cedar Rapids - KWKB-20
Davenport - WBQD-26
Des Moines - KDMI-DT
Sioux City - KPTH-DT
KANSAS
Topeka - WIBW-DT
Wichita-Hutchinson - KMTW-36
KENTUCKY
Lexington - WBLU-62
Louisville - WMYO-58
Louisville - WMYO-58
Paducah - WDKA-49
LOUISIANA
Alexandria - WNTZ-48
Baton Rouge - WBXH-46
Lafayette - KLAF/KADN-DT-62
Monroe - KEJB-43
New Orleans - WUPL-54
Shrevport - KSHV-45
MAINE
Portland - WPME-35
MARYLAND
Baltimore - WUTB-24
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston - WZMY-50
MICHIGAN
Detroit - WMYD-20
Flint - WNEM-DT
Grand Rapids - WXSP-15
Lansing - WHTV-18
Marquette - WMQF-19
MINNESOTA
Duluth - KBJR-DT
Minneapolis - WFTC-29
MISSISSIPPI
Columbus-Tupelo - WCBI-DT
Jackson - WUFX-35
Meridian - WTOK-DT
MISSOURI
Columbia-Jefferson City - KZOU-11
Kansas City - KSMO-62
Springfield - KWBM-31
St. Louis - WRBU-46
MONTANA
Butte - KBTZ-24
Great Falls - KLMN-26
Missoula - KMMF-17
NEBRASKA
Lincoln - KGIN-DT/KOLN-DT
Omaha - KPTM-DT/KKAZ-24
NEVADA
Las Vegas - KVMY-21
Reno - KAME-21
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque - KASY-50
NEW YORK
Albany - WNYA-51
Binghamton - WBPN-8
Buffalo - WNYO-49
Elmira - WJKP/WYDC-DT-39
New York - WWOR-9
Rochester - WBGT-40
Syracuse - WNYS-43
Utica - WPNY-11
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte - WMYT-55
Greensboro - WMYV-48
Greenville - WEPX/WPXU-38/35
Raleigh - WRDC-28
Wilmington - WMYW-47
NORTH DAKOTA
Fargo- Valley City - KCPM-27
OHIO
Cincinnati - WSTR-64
Cleveland - WUAB-43
Columbus - WSYX-DT2
Dayton - WRGT-DT2
Lima - WOHL-25
Toledo - WNGT-48
Youngstown - WYTV-DT
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma City - KAUT-43/40
Tulsa - KMYT-41
OREGON
Eugene - KEVU-23
Medford-Klamath - KFBI-48
Portland - KPDX-49
PENNSYLVANIA
Harrisburg-York - WHP-DT
Johnstown-Altoona-State C - WHVL
Philadelphia - WPHL-17
Pittsburgh - WPMY-22
Wilkes-Barre - WQMY-53
RHODE ISLAND
Providence - WNAC-64
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston - WMMP-36
Columbia - WKTC-63
Florence - WBTW-DT
Greenville - WMYA-40
SOUTH DAKOTA
Rapid City - KKRA-24
Rapid City - KKRA
Sioux Falls - KELO-DT
Sioux Falls -ELO-DT
TENNESSEE
Chattanooga - WDSI-DT2
Chattanooga - WDSI-DT2
Knoxville - WVLT-DT
Knoxville - WVLT-DT
Memphis - WPXX-50
Nashville - WUXP-30
Tri-Cities - WAPK-36
TEXAS
Abilene-Sweetwater - KIDZ-42
Amarillo - KCPN-33
Austin - KNVA-30
Beaumont-Port Arthur - KUMY-TV-22
Beaumont-Port Arthur - KEBQ-TV-9
Corpus Christi - KTOV-21
Dallas-Ft. Worth - KDFI-27
El Paso - KDBC-DT
Harlingen-Mcallen - XHRIO-2
Houston - KTXH-20
Lubbock - KMYL/KUPT-DT-14
Midland/odessa - NOSA-TV-16
San Antonio - KMYS-35
Sherman - KXII-DT
Tyler-Longview - KLPN/KFXK-DT-58
Victoria - KXTS-41
Waco-Tmpl - KWKT-44
Wichita Falls - KJBO-35
UTAH
Salt Lake City - KJZZ-14
VERMONT
Burlington - WGMU-39
VIRGINIA
Charlottesville - WAHU-DT
Harrisonburg - WHSV-DT
Norfolk - WTVZ-33
Richmond - WRLH-DT2
Roanoke - WDBJ-DT
WASHINGTON
Seattle - KMYQ-22
Spokane - KXMN/KXLY-DT2
Yakima - KAPP-DT/KVEW-DT
WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, DC - WDCA-20
WEST VIRGINIA
Charleston-Huntington - WSAZ-DT
Parkersburg - WTAP-DT
WISCONSIN
Green Bay - WACY-32
Lacrosse/eau - WKBT-DT
Madison - WISC-DT
Milwaukee - WCGV-24
Wausau - WSAW-DT
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Post by Icon Lord Sean "Magic" Fiery on Feb 27, 2008 0:00:33 GMT -6
I hate MyNetworkTV... It's full of stupid, pointless, CW dropoff shows... Horrible channel.
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Post by Icon Lord Jon Kellar on Feb 29, 2008 17:43:57 GMT -6
I hate MyNetworkTV... It's full of stupid, pointless, CW dropoff shows... Horrible channel. Well then Smackdown should fit in perfectly. |
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Post by Rob on Feb 29, 2008 19:15:04 GMT -6
CW?
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Post by Icon Lord Leon Corbin on Feb 29, 2008 23:20:21 GMT -6
A network that likely doesn't affect us, Rob? lol...
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Post by Rob on Mar 1, 2008 10:24:02 GMT -6
More than likely. Was just curious  |
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Post by Icon Lord Sean "Magic" Fiery on Mar 1, 2008 18:27:07 GMT -6
CW Network... Formerly the WB Channel... It's where 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Supernatural, Smallville and many other shows have been massed together.
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Post by Rob on Mar 1, 2008 18:30:25 GMT -6
Oh right. Thanks for that.
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Post by Blizzard on Mar 4, 2008 11:04:13 GMT -6
Say what you will about CW. Supernatural kicks serious ass.  I have pretty much lost interest in smackdown all together so this news effects me in no way. Unless Gregory Helms returns to Smackdown. |
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