:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54468311/012_SD_04252017jg_0083__ad776633b05cc881138aea41e740df33.0.jpg)
Post-”Superstar Shake-Up”, SmackDown is still finding its feet. Hopefully, their viewership trend over the past two weeks is indicative of that - and competition from the NBA Playoffs - and not a sign of bigger issues.
The April 25 edition of the show, with a full card announced in advance, including an appearance by big NXT call-up Shinsuke Nakamura, a gimmick match with the World champ and a Women’s title main event, drew the smallest audience of the year for WWE at 2.49 million viewers.
That was sixth largest among cable originals on the night, behind the two basketball games and three Fox News programs. In the 18 - 49 demographic, SmackDown (.75) was a distant third in rating behind Thunder vs. Rockets (1.69) and Jazz vs. Clippers (1.37).
There’s probably a spin that says it’s encouraging they’re still hovering around 2,500,000 viewers, given the return of live sports competition and other factors. While you decide if you buy that, here’s a rundown of the blue brand’s audiences this year:
April 18 - 2.54 million
April 11 - 3.11 million
April 4 - 2.89 million
March 29 - 2.7 million
March 21 - 2.65 million
March 14 - 2.63 million
March 7 - 2.74 million
February 28 - 2.57 million
Feb. 21 - 2.79 million
Feb. 14 - 2.63 million
Feb. 7 - 2.63 million
Jan. 31 - 2.82 million
Jan. 24 - 2.56 million
Jan. 17 - 2.65 million
Jan. 10 -2.53 million
Jan. 3 - 2.59 million
For complete results and the live blog for SmackDown this week click here. To read a complete recap & review of all the night’s events click here. For a full playlist of the show click here.