Fightful Select has published a new detailed report on Nielson’s new “Big Data + Panel” TV ratings system which has officially been launched. This new ratings system now includes streaming and expanded viewership data to its methodology.
As a result of the new ratings system, overall viewership and key demographic numbers have been much lower for WWE and AEW programming on cable.
Fightful Select notes the change in the rating system has been a hot discussion backstage, specially WWE and AEW. Both companies are said to be paying close attention to the new updated metrics.
The report also further adds that AEW head Tony Khan is said to be fully aware of how the new calculations work, even though Warner Bros. Discovery has not disclosed the number of streams for Dynamite and Collision on HBO Max. A WBD source told Fightful it’s still “too small of a sample size” to draw any conclusions, noting the lower ratings for Dynamite on TBS were were impacted by MLB postseason games. Fightful added that the new system delays final ratings by an extra day, thus ending the “Fast Nationals”, which WWE had reportedly previously leaked out to select media to downplay AEW’s television numbers.
The report also notes that a contact within the USA Network shared the revised data has ignited discussion internally, questioning whether the lower ratings reflect wrestling being less of a popular choice for viewers or just a statistical correction. Sources for USA and WBD emphasized to Fightful Select there has been no talk of canceling SmackDown or Dynamite or Collision.
The CW, home of NXT declined to comment to Fightful Select. However, it was added network executives are said to be satisfied NXT’s performance before the new system update took effect and still remains invested in pro wrestling content.
Fightful Select concluded by noting that talents in WWE and AEW have noticed increased reminders about timing and scheduling, which could be due to the changes for broadcast data collection. Furthermore, a WWE production source noted their concerns how the new system might have an affect on TNA Wrestling’s ongoing media rights negotiations. TNA’s President Carols Silva, however, has stated the new ratings system has not been brought up in the discussions which continue to remain active, with an important call that is reportedly scheduled to take place sometime this week.