Ray's UK Rating's Report: Week Ending September 4th 2011

Courtesy of the Broadcaster's Audience Research Board (BARB) here are the UK TV ratings for wrestling programming that ranked in the top 10's for their respective channels on the week ending September 4th 2011:

1	TNA PRESENTS IMPACT WRESTLING (Sun, Challenge , 2102)	180,000
2	WWE LATE NIGHT RAW – LIVE (Mon, Sky Sports 3, 2600)	153,000
3	WWE LATE NIGHT SMACKDOWN (Fri, Sky Sports 4, 2200)	72,000
4	TNA XPLOSION (Wed, Challenge, 2200)	Under 119,000
5	WWE LATE NIGHT SUPERSTARS (Sat, Sky Sports 4, 2301)	38,000
6	WWE LATE NIGHT BOTTOM LINE (Mon, Sky Sports 3, 2202)	35,000

Despite a drop from last week, it's another impressive showing from IMPACT Wrestling on Challenge as it remains the most watched wrestling show in the UK and Ireland. The show garnered 180,000 viewers (down 14,000 viewers from last week) for the Sunday September 4th episode (Originally aired Thursday Sep 1st on Spike in the USA) which saw IMPACT Wrestling on the road in Huntsville, AL and a show headlined by a huge Sting vs. Kurt Angle World Heavyweight Title match.

WWE RAW rebounded from last weeks big viewership drop, drawing 153,000 viewers (up 52,000 viewers from last week) for it's Monday August 29th "RAW Supershow" episode which featured John Cena & Sheamus vs. Christian and Mark Henry as well as the revelation that Triple H would face CM Punk at the Night of Champions PPV.

WWE's other flagship show, Smackdown, garnered 72,000 viewers (down 25,000 viewers from last week) for the Friday September 2nd edition which was headlined by a Randy Orton vs. Christian Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Title.

Here's how the total's look for the year to date since IMPACT's return to UK Television on Challenge:

Weekly Ratings Wins so far (2011)*:
IMPACT Wrestling – 26
WWE RAW – 2
WWE Smackdown – 2

*Based on first showing viewing figures, not inclusive of +1 or replay figures.

Ray's UK Rating's Report: Week Ending August 28th 2011

Courtesy of the Broadcaster's Audience Research Board (BARB) here are the UK TV ratings for wrestling programming that ranked in the top 10's for their respective channels on the week ending August 28th 2011:

1	TNA PRESENTS IMPACT WRESTLING (Tue, Challenge , 2200)	209,000
2	TNA PRESENTS IMPACT WRESTLING (Sun, Challenge , 2100)	194,000
3	WWE LATE NIGHT RAW – LIVE (Mon, Sky Sports 3, 2600)	101,000
4	WWE LATE NIGHT SMACKDOWN (Fri, Sky Sports 2, 2100)	97,000
5	TNA XPLOSION (Wed, Challenge, 2200)	Under 160,000
6	WWE AFTERBURN (Wed, Sky Sports 4, 1800)	19,000

Despite a drop from last week, it's another impressive showing from IMPACT Wrestling on Challenge as it not only remains the most watched wrestling show in the UK and Ireland but garners more viewers this week than WWE RAW and Smackdown combined! The show garnered 209,000 viewers (down 9,000 viewers from last week) for the Tuesday August 23rd episode (Originally aired Thursday Aug 18th on Spike in the USA) headlined by Mexican America's World Tag-Team title victory over Beer Money.

IMPACT Wrestling also debuted in it's new Sunday night at 9pm slot with the Sunday August 28th episode (Originally aired Thursday Aug 25th on Spike in the USA) headlined by a hotly anticipated Crimson vs. Kurt Angle main event. The show garnered 197,000 viewers on the night, which despite being down is a very impressive showing given the move to a new timeslot which naturally usually sees a slight drop in viewership initially.

WWE RAW drew 101,000 viewers (down a whopping 35,000 viewers from last week) for it's Monday August 22nd episode which featured John Cena defeating CM Punk to become Number 1 contender in the main event.

WWE's other flagship show, Smackdown, garnered 97,000 viewers (down 23,000 viewers from last week) for the Friday August 26th edition which saw Bret Hart as GM for the night and Sheamus defeat Mark Henry in the main event.

Here's how the total's look for the year to date since IMPACT's return to UK Television on Challenge:

Weekly Ratings Wins so far (2011)*:
IMPACT Wrestling – 25
WWE RAW – 2
WWE Smackdown – 2

*Based on first showing viewing figures, not inclusive of +1 or replay figures.

Ray's UK Rating's Report: Week Ending August 21st 2011

Courtesy of the Broadcaster's Audience Research Board (BARB) here are the UK TV ratings for wrestling programming that ranked in the top 10's for their respective channels on the week ending August 21st 2011:

1	TNA PRESENTS IMPACT WRESTLING (Tue, Challenge , 2201)	218,000
2	WWE LATE NIGHT RAW – LIVE (Mon, Sky Sport 3, 2600)	136,000
3	WWE LATE NIGHT SMACKDOWN (Fri, Sky Sports 2, 2200)	120,000
4	TNA XPLOSION (Wed, Challenge, 2200)	Under 136,000
5	WWE AFTERBURN (Sun, Sky Sport 3, 1900)	54,000
6	WWE VINTAGE COLLECTION (Sun, Sky Sport 3, 1800)	31,000

Despite a drop from last week, it's another impressive showing from IMPACT Wrestling on Challenge as it remains the most watched wrestling show in the UK and Ireland, a position it has held now for 20 consecutive weeks. The show garnered 218,000 viewers (down 23,000 viewers [9.5%] from last week) for the Tuesday August 16th episode (Originally aired Aug 11th on Spike in the USA) headlined by a four way bout pitting Crimson against Scott Steiner, Gunner and Bully Ray of Immortal and the subsequent post-match attack on Crimson from Kurt Angle.

WWE RAW drew 136,000 viewers (up 7,000 viewers [5.4%] from last week) for it's Monday August 15th episode which featured an Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio main event.

WWE's other flagship show, Smackdown, garnered 120,000 viewers (up 19,000 viewers [18.8%] from last week, ending a two week ratings slide.) for the Friday August 12th edition which saw Mark Henry win a 20-Man Battle Royal to become Number 1 contender to the World Title.

Here's how the total's look for the year to date since IMPACT's return to UK Television on Challenge:

Weekly Ratings Wins so far (2011)*:
IMPACT Wrestling – 24
WWE RAW – 2
WWE Smackdown – 2

*Based on first showing viewing figures, not inclusive of +1 or replay figures.

IMPACT Wrestling celebrates record ratings with move to Sunday nights on Challenge!

In a press release issued today, it has been confirmed that IMPACT Wrestling will now be broadcast on Sunday nights in the UK and Ireland after winning record ratings on Challenge TV.

The show – which features Hulk Hogan, Sting, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, AJ Styles, Mr. Anderson, the TNA Knockouts and many other huge wrestling stars – will now air every Sunday night at the earlier time of 9:00pm starting this Sunday, August 28.

What now for TNA programming in the UK & Ireland?

The morning after the night before…..wow what a shocker yesterday evening eh? Sky TV announce the closure of it’s recently purchased Bravo and Channel One channels, leaving TNA iMPACT! without a home in the UK & Ireland. So what now for TNA iMPACT?

Well first off we must take into consideration that TNA re-signed with Bravo/Living TV group on a long term deal not that long ago in January 2010. As the incumbent Sky MUST honor this contract or buy out the remainder of the deal. With this in mind i thought it would be interesting to take a look at the possible realistic locations for iMPACT! should BSKYB choose to retain the programming.

Sky One: In the statement issued by BSkyB following the announcement of the closures, the similarities between Bravo and Sky One were cited as reasoning behind it's closing. Therefore it would be safe to assume that Sky One would be considered for any former Bravo programming set for re-location. However, Sky One is currently (and has a long history of) broadcasting WWE programming on the channel in the form of Superstars, Smackdown and WWE Experience. The much rumoured "WWE Exclusivity Clause" would likely make this channel a no-go for TNA Programming. Verdict: No Chance

Sky2: Sister channel of Sky One but with the obvious distinction of NOT currently broadcasting WWE programming in any form. It's not clear whether the rumoured "WWE Exclusivity Clause" is legitimate or simply a work of fiction courtesy of the Internet Wrestling Community, however if it was indeed real, then it also needs to be established as to whether this covers ALL Sky branded channels or simply those which currently broadcast WWE programming. Should it be the latter then there's a possibility of TNA iMPACT! finding a home here. Verdict: Possibility

Sky3: Similar to the aforementioned Sky2, this channel does not currently broadcast any WWE programming. Additionally it has been stated that this is a likely spot for relocation of programming from Channel One and Bravo, so this is a realistic landing spot for TNA iMPACT!. Add to that the fact that the channel currently broadcasts the likes of Gladiators and this could be considered a good fit for the show. Important to note that this channel is the first Sky channel to be available via Freeview, opening the channel and its programming up to a huge target audience, ideal for increasing TNA's exposure in the UK.

Verdict: Strong Possibility

Living TV: Living TV is the only Virgin media/LivingTV Group channels that wasn't cut following the acquisition by BSkyB. The channel does have a history of broadcasting Pro Wrestling back in a former incarnation, however it's key demographic these days is female viewers and they have no similar programming on the network. All in all I don't see any possibility of the program landing here. Verdict: Highly Unlikely

Challenge: What, the game show network? Yes, that very one. The channel is reportedly about to undergo a facelift and has been given some cash by BSkyB to acquire new programming to fuel the rebrand. The channel has already concluded deals for the likes of Gladiators and Ninja Warrior, programs with the same target demographics as TNA. The channel has no WWE related programming and is not "Sky" branded, therefore it must be considered as a possibility. Verdict: Strong Possibility

Overall then it would appear the likely destinations are Sky2, Sky3 or Challenge TV. Should Sky cut the deal entirely then I would put my money on the Extreme Sports Channel picking up the program. Nonetheless, I guess we'll have to wait and see, but I would hope Sky would at least give the program a chance, TNA fans have proven time and again they'll show up in large numbers and reward them should they be willing to simply give it a chance on one of their networks.

Until next time, See you around,

Ray.