According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pending deal WWE has with FOX is worth more than $1 billion in total.
According to a source speaking with THR, the new deal would see WWE get $205 million per year, for a five-year deal for broadcast rights on the network. It was noted that this would mark a three-fold increase over what NBCUniversal currently pays WWE to broadcast SmackDown on USA Network. WWE was said to have an even higher bid from a third party, but WWE valued FOX’s commitment to promote Smackdown across their portfolio that includes NFL and Major League Baseball broadcasts.
Update: WWE Smackdown Reportedly Moving To New Night With FOX Deal
FOX is also spending more than $3 billion for five years of NFL’s Thursday Night Football, and already pays more than $1 billion each year for the Sunday broadcast rights (runs through 2022) to NFL games. Smackdown is currently averaging 2.59 million viewers and it is the sixth biggest audience in cable programming.
WWE Smackdown London
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WWE Smackdown London #1
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Dolph Ziggler attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #2
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Dolph Ziggler attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #3
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Dolph Ziggler attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #4
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Natalya attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #5
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Natalya attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #6
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Naomi attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #7
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Naomi attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #8
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Oliver Phelps attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #9
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Oliver Phelps attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #10
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Asmir Begovic attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #11
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Asmir Begovic attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #12
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Anthony Ogogo attends the WWE SmackDown live show at The O2 Arena on May 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #13
Matt Hardy arrives on the ring during WWE show at Zenith Arena on May 10, 2017 in Lille, northern France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #14
Hardy Boyz celebrate victory during WWE show at Zenith Arena on May 10, 2017 in Lille, northern France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #15
The Hardy Boyz arrive in the ring during WWE show at Zenith Arena on May 10, 2017 in Lille, northern France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #16
The Hardy Boyz celebrate victory in the ring during WWE show at Zenith Arena on May 10, 2017 in Lille, northern France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #17
Sheamus (L) faces Cesaro during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on May 10, 2017 in Lille, northern France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #18
Hardy Boyz and Cesaro (C) battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on May 10, 2017 in Lille, northern France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #19
Goldust arrives in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #20
Nia Jax arrives in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #21
Kalisto celebrates victory during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, north France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #22
Finn (L) battle with Anderson during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #23
Finn (L) battles with Anderson during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #24
Finn celebrates victory during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #25
Roman and Samoa Joe (R) battle during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #26
Roman and Bray (R) battle during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #27
Roman and Bray (R) battle during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #28
Roman and Bray (L) battle during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #29
Seth and Bray Samoa Joe (R) battle during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #30
Alexa Bliss gestures in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #31
Alexa Bliss gestures in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #32
Alexa Bliss (L) and Bayley battle in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #33
Bayley mixes with spectators during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #34
Bayley mixes with spectators during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #35
Roman celebrates in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #36
Roman and Seth celebrate in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #37
Finn stands in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #38
Finn (R) battles Anderson in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #39
Seth arrives for the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #40
Seth arrives for the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #41
Roman gestures during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #42
Roman (R) and Seth celebrate victory during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #43
Roman celebrates victory with spectators during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #44
Roman (R) and Seth celebrate victory during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #45
US wrestler Seth Rollins (L) and Swiss wrestler Cesaro (R) pose before the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) show at the Zenith Arena on May 9, 2017 in Lille. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #46
US wrestler Seth Rollins (L) and Swiss wrestler Cesaro (R) carry Hillary Aventurier, contestant of French TV reality show ''Les Ch'tis'' as they pose before the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) show at the Zenith Arena on May 9, 2017 in Lille. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #47
US wrestler Seth Rollins (C) and Swiss wrestler Cesaro (2L) pose with Vincent, Tressia and Hillary Aventurier, contestants of French TV reality show ''Les Ch'tis'' before the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) show at the Zenith Arena on May 9, 2017 in Lille. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
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WWE Smackdown London #48
US wrestler Seth Rollins (2R) and Swiss wrestler Cesaro (3R) pose with Tressia,(L) and Hillary Aventurier, contestants of French TV reality show ''Les Ch'tis'' before the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) show at the Zenith Arena on May 9, 2017 in Lille. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
