WWE Smackdown Moves to MyNetworkTV (Feb 27, 2008)

In a weird move, "WWE Smackdown" is leaving the CW network and will return in the fall on yet another network: MyNetworkTV.

What's weird about it is that MyNetworkTV affilliates itself with most of the former affilliates of the UPN show where "WWE" (formerly WWF) premiered. When UPN and the WB merged into the CW in the fall of 2006, "WWE" went to the CW as well as many so-called hits from the WB and UPN networks, leaving the former UPN affilliates without a network affilliation.

Fox Broadcasting used this opportunity to create a second broadcast network called MyNetworkTV and it signed onto the former UPN affilliates.

"We are excited to add MyNetworkTV and its television affiliates to our family of global network partners," said WWE Chairman of the Board Vincent K. McMahon. "We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we've worked with in our long and storied history. We fully intend to bring that same level of success to MyNetworkTV."

"The momentum at MyNetworkTV continues with this major acquisition," added MyNetworkTV President Greg Meidel. "We have demonstrated tremendous growth and this partnership with WWE, the premier sports entertainment franchise in the world is a perfect fit for our viewers, advertisers and affiliates."

The two-hour television program will be presented weekly on MyNetworkTV. WWE SmackDown will feature a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars that include Edge, Rey Mysterio, Batista, MVP, Kane and Undertaker, as well as present all the action, excitement, drama and great athleticism that have made it one of the most popular programs among males on broadcast television for nine years, and one of the top ten English language prime time programs among Hispanic households.

MyNetworkTV seems to be programming itself to the male audience with more male-oriented programming as of late, compared to two years ago when it ran six nights of the ill-fated English-language novela format.

Adding in more urban-based comedies to the mix will make it seem more like the old UPN. All we need now is a sixth Star Trek series and UPN is back in business.

In San Diego, MyNetworkTV airs on channel 49 (cable 13).

CW on the other hand may segueue closer to looking like the old WB network with more chick oriented shows like Gossip Girl.