2019 is going to be a big year for SmackDown Live, because the show will be moving from Tuesday nights on the USA Network, to Friday nights on Fox.
Fox paid a lot of money to bring the blue brand to Friday nights, and it’s been said that the network wants to promote SmackDown as a sports oriented show with less comedy.
What isn’t clear at this time is if SmackDown will actually air live on the west coast.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that if SmackDown airs live on the west coast from 5 to 7 PM, it would mean that Fox affiliates would have to move their 5 PM and 6 PM newscasts to 7 PM every Friday.
Newscasts are moved on Thursdays to accommodate football games, but it’s one thing for a network to move a broadcast for a NFL game with high ratings, and it’s very different for a pro wrestling show.
The official word should be given shortly, but the impression given is that SmackDown will air live on the west coast because it’s being pushed as a sports property, not an entertainment property.
