USA Network Renews WWE Deal

NEW YORK/STAMFORD: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and USA Network have signed a four-year renewal agreement that sees WWE Monday Night Raw remain on the channel through fall 2014. 

WWE Monday Night Raw is currently averaging 5.5 million total viewers. The show has seen a recent ratings increase of 11 percent in total viewers, due in part to the appearance of celebrity guest hosts such as Shaquille O’Neal, Jeremy Piven, Ozzy Osbourne, Bob Barker, Snoop Dogg, Ben Roethlisberger and Rev. Al Sharpton. WWE Monday Night Raw has been on cable for more than 16 years and is one of the most watched regularly scheduled programs on ad-supported cable television.

“I couldn’t be happier about continuing one of the most successful collaborations in television history,” said Bonnie Hammer, the president of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions. “Vince McMahon and his entire team are an invaluable part of the USA family.”

“USA Network is a true partner and not just a network that distributes WWE’s premier television show, WWE Monday Night Raw,” commented WWE’s chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon. “I am thrilled to have a long-term deal with USA Network.”