Friday’s WWE SmackDown drew 1,147,000 viewers on USA Network, down from the prior week’s 1,258,000 viewers. That week’s show was notable for being a taped and not a live show due to the show taking place in France and aired on tape delay in the United States.
It drew a 0.28 rating in the 18-49 demographic, down from to the prior week’s 0.35 rating.
That week’s show viewership was the lowest ever for a non-preempted SmackDown show in SmackDown series history.
In regards to notable sports competition, the College Football game of Auburn vs. Baylor drew 2,832,000 viewers on FOX, the College Football game of Georgia Tech vs. Colorado drew 3,483,000 viewers on ESPN, the College Football game of Western Michigan vs. Michigan State drew 623,000 viewers on FS1, the Banana Ball World Tour game of Texas Tailgaters vs. Savannah Bananas drew 202,000 viewers on truTV, and the MLB game of Milwaukee Brewers vs. Toronto Blue Jays or Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Boston Red Sox drew 182,000 viewers on MLB Network.
Last year’s SmackDown on August 30, 2024 drew 2,054,000 viewers and a 0.53 rating on FOX. The September 1, 2023 episode drew 2,443,000 viewers on FOX.
Source: Programming Insider

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