Following the announcement that AEW will be airing weekly on TNT in 2019, WWE decided to counter that move and announced that NXT will air on The USA Network. However, now it seems NXT might be leaving The USA Network altogether.
It has been reported that NBC will be shutting down NBC Sports Network by the end of this year. The network airs the likes of NHL and NASCAR. The belief is that due to this move, the aforementioned sports will be shifted to the USA Network, which airs NXT on Wednesday nights.
This would affect NXT as many of the NHL games on NBCSN air on Wednesday nights. The company also sent out a memo regarding the announcement, where they plan on dividing the NBC Sports Network’s programming lineup.
At the conclusion of 2021, we have decided that the best strategic next step for our Sports Group and the entire Company is to wind down NBCSN completely, with key elements of NBCSN’s programming moving to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock for 2022 and beyond.
This will make USA Network an extraordinarily powerful platform in the media marketplace and gives our sports programming a significant audience boost. We believe that the power of this offering is the best long-term strategy for our Sports Group, our partners, and our Company.
Dave Meltzer also commented on the possible exit of NXT from The USA Network.
Anything is possible but NXT’s role has been to make sure AEW stays away from Raw’s 18-49 numbers. It pure defense. Any move means they’ve basically pulled the goalkeeper.
Anything is possible but NXT's role has been to make sure AEW stays away from Raw's 18-49 numbers. It pure defense. Any move means they've basically pulled the goalkeeper. https://t.co/q7zaHkyzcP
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) January 23, 2021
Because AEW averaged 200,000 more viewers on nights NXT was pre-empted. https://t.co/k7ERheTQuk
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) January 23, 2021
