WWE SmackDown Expands to Three Hours Starting January 2025

WWE’s Monday Night Raw will make a historic move to Netflix in the new year, signaling a major shift from traditional television to streaming. While Raw, also known as the Red Brand, is set to be Netflix-bound, SmackDown will stay on television. However, reports indicate that SmackDown, the Blue Brand, may soon see some significant changes, most notably the extension of its runtime by an additional hour.

SmackDown to Add an Extra Hour of Programming

According to a report from WrestleVotes Radio, WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown is expected to extend its runtime to three hours, starting in January 2025. This comes shortly after a fresh logo redesign for the show. However, WWE officials have yet to confirm the report, leaving fans to speculate about the potential change. The timing seems feasible, especially with Monday Night Raw moving to Netflix at the beginning of 2025.

WWE recently switched to broadcasting all three of its brands on the USA Network, though Raw will depart from the network by 2025. SmackDown, on the other hand, is expected to remain with the network, with the three-hour runtime reportedly going into effect from January 3, 2025. Meanwhile, WWE’s NXT is also set for a shift, moving to the CW network on October 1, 2024.

Fans Eager for Raw’s Move to Netflix

Fans are excited about Monday Night Raw’s upcoming transition to Netflix, which could bring more intense storylines and action. The shift from television is expected to lift some of the restrictions WWE has faced over the years. WWE’s chief content officer, Triple H, has hinted at some upcoming changes for the Red Brand ahead of the move to streaming.

In an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Triple H explained the limitations WWE faced on television, saying, “Right now, just as an example of us being on Fox, if the crowd chants ‘Holy sh**,’ or something worse, they mute the audio. Sometimes they take the picture and the audio off entirely, leaving a black screen… We won’t have those issues with Netflix. The ability to go live globally and show everything at once is a game-changer.”

This shift is expected to give WWE more creative freedom, potentially recalling the excitement of the Attitude Era. Reportedly, the Red Brand’s runtime will also be shortened from three hours to two after moving to Netflix, offering a more concise and engaging experience.

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