More on AEW vs. NXT Week 53 Viewership

The October 7th episodes of AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT saw both shows decline in overall viewership and key demographic rankings. AEW also managed to maintain their advantage over NXT in terms of key demographic rankings.

AEW drew 753,000 viewers and a #19 ranking in the 18-49 demographic while NXT drew 639,000 and a #56 ranking in the 18-49 demographic.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the main cause for both shows sizable decline in numbers was the 2020 Vice Presidential debate, which drew over 50 million viewers and a 10.8 rating in the key demographic. Besides the debate, stiff competition from two MLB Playoff games on TBS and FS1 also impacted both shows viewership.

In terms of key demographic viewership, AEW reportedly had 401,000 viewers and NXT had 212,000 viewers. In regards to the key demographic groups, AEW had a very sizable advantage in three out of the four groups with only Females 35-49 being a very close contest. Meltzer also reported that for the first time ever in AEW’s television history, AEW had more female viewers in the 18-34 group than male viewers. AEW also had more female viewers in the Teenagers group than male viewers for the second week in a row.

In terms of yearly comparisons, AEW’s show was down by 46.6% in viewers compared to their debut episode which drew 1,409,000 viewers and NXT was down by 28.8% in viewers compared to the same week last year which drew 891,000 viewers.

In terms of viewership peaks, AEW’s peak for Males 18-34, Female 18-34, and Females 35-49 groups was the TNT Championship Dog Collar match between Cody and Brodie Lee. AEW’s peak for Males 35-49 group was the FTW Championship match between Will Hobbs and Brian Cage. NXT’s peak for Males 18-34 and Females 18-34 groups was the Ridge Holland vs. Danny Burch match and the Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vignette segment. NXT’s peak for Males 35-49 and Females 35-49 groups was the ending of KUSHIDA vs. Tommaso Ciampa match and post-match brawl and the Ember Moon interview segment.

AEW Dynamite started off with around 767,000 viewers and their biggest gain of the night was the bulk of the TNT Championship Dog Collar match which gained 72,000 viewers. AEW’s biggest decline of the night was the ending of the TNT Championship Dog Collar match, Cody’s post-match promo, the Kenny Omega interview segment, and start of the Big Swole vs. Serena Deeb match which lost 126,000 viewers.

WWE NXT started off with around 718,000 viewers and their biggest gain of the night was the Holland vs. Burch match and the Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vignette segment which gained 39,000 viewers. NXT’s biggest decline of the night was the bulk of the Austin Theory vs. Dexter Lumis match, Cameron Grimes post-match attack, and the Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly NXT TakeOver 31 video package which lost 90,000 viewers.