Smackdown Rating: This week’s viewership, key metrics for 2018 compared to 2017 (w/Keller’s Analysis)

This week’s WWE Smackdown Live on USA Network drew a live and same-night-DVR viewership number of 1.75, up negligibly from last week’s 1.73. January averaged a 1.76 rating, so this is right in line with that.

One year ago this week Smackdown drew a 1.80 rating. The 2017 average so far is 1.76; the 2018 through this week was 1.80.

Keller’s Analysis: This is the water level of Smackdown right now, but the reviews for the show lately have been largely negative, so they could see further erosion compared to year-ago numbers if they don’t shake-up the monotonous and nonsensical focus on the Daniel Bryan-Shane McMahon dynamic where nobody is particularly likable. This week’s Smackdown drew a strong thumbs down with 48 percent disliking the show, 17 percent liking it, and 35 percent neutral. The ratings now are barely above pre-Brand Split and pre-Live on Tuesdays levels. Two years ago Smackdown drew a 1.72 rating this week.

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