Why WWE television didn’t end up on ESPN

May 14, 2019 - by Steve Gerweck

In an interview with TheWrap.com, ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming and Scheduling Burke Magnus explained why RAW and Smackdown didn’t end up with ESPN:

“We did talk to WWE during their process some months ago. Took a hard look at it, we’re obviously big fans of them. We just went into business with them on the XFL indirectly. But we couldn’t find a fit for it, primarily based on schedule.”

“As you know, those properties are 52 weeks a year live. And I’m proud to say we have a pretty good problem, which is that we can’t clear anything 52 weeks a year live. We have a pretty full portfolio of content as it is.”

“We parted ways and they got a good deal with their new partners, continuing at NBC (Universal’s USA Network) and adding Fox. So all’s well that ends well for them — but we gave it a good try.”

(Pro Wrestling & MMA World)

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