A new report provides an update on the reactions to the low viewership recorded by the June 19 episode of AEW Dynamite.
Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite marked new lows in the total and demographic viewership for a non-preempted episode.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reports that he reached out to AEW and WBD sources. On the AEW side, he cited sources who noted that Dynamite’s typical lead-in, The Big Bang Theory, usually does a big number. Wednesday’s lead-in was Black Panther. The film recorded a much lower demographic number, and this difference was pointed to as one factor in the lower viewers.
Additionally, AEW talent were said to be surprised by the number.
WBD’s Reaction To Low Viewership
As for WBD, Sapp writes that Fightful reached out to a WBD rep about the viewership number. The rep said that it was, “Just a very odd week in general, and a confluence of stuff Juneteenth holiday in the middle of the week (when does a mid-week holiday ever happen in late spring/summer months?!). Competition with Olympic trials and college baseball all World Series in prime time. Amazing weather in much of the country (especially up here in the northeast), so lots more people out and about. Wouldn’t really put much into one week’s number, although I know the wrestling community likes to go nuclear with these kinds of one-offs.”
Additionally, Sapp cites another WBD source. They said that the viewership number does not affect the potential of a new deal for AEW and WBD.
AEW’s media rights deal with WBD is coming up in the next few months, and the companies are reportedly negotiating.
