In an interview with Variety, Brad Schwartz talked about the impact that WWE NXT has had on The CW since its premiere last October.
The network’s president spoke highly of the ratings for the program, calling it “an absolute game changer” for both The CW and WWE, noting that the previous quarter was the highest rated NXT quarter in five years, up 19 percent year over year.
Schwartz was also very high on the positive working relationship between both companies, looking back to Shawn Michaels praising the network during a recent panel at WrestleMania weekend and stating that they are “constantly” discussing new ways to expand the relationship following appearances from NXT talent on other programming for The CW.
On the impact NXT has had for the network as a whole, Schwartz said:
In adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, we’re regularly beating Fox on Tuesday nights. It’s unheard of.
So it’s been absolutely crushing for us. It’s one of the big reasons why our network as a whole is up 40% season over season…Besides animation on Fox, [NXT] has the highest concentration of 18-49 and 25-54 on all broadcast.