:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54724517/039_SD_05092017MM_0640__51e49adfe8e2d210be06c655c0100947.0.jpg)
There was really nowhere to go but up, even with a pre-taped show from London.
And that’s what SmackDown’s audience did on May 9 - growing a modest 48,000 viewers from last week’s 2017 low and clocking in at 2.348 million. It was the second-smallest number of the year, and continues a slump that started right after the Superstar Shake-Up provided the biggest viewership since January 1.
In addition to a post-WrestleMania lull, the NBA playoffs continue to take a toll. SmackDown was tenth in audience size among cable originals behind basketball and an assortment of political shows, and third in rating (at .74) among 18 - 49 year olds, after the Houston/San Antonio game and TNT’s Inside The NBA studio show.
Here’s a rundown of the blue brand’s audiences this year:
May 2 - 2.3 million
April 25 - 2.49 million
April 18 - 2.54 million
April 11 - 3.11 million
April 4 - 2.89 million
March 29 - 2.7 million
March 21 - 2.65 million
March 14 - 2.63 million
March 7 - 2.74 million
February 28 - 2.57 million
Feb. 21 - 2.79 million
Feb. 14 - 2.63 million
Feb. 7 - 2.63 million
Jan. 31 - 2.82 million
Jan. 24 - 2.56 million
Jan. 17 - 2.65 million
Jan. 10 -2.53 million
Jan. 3 - 2.59 million
For complete results and the live blog for SmackDown this week click here. To read a complete recap & review of all the night’s events click here. For a full playlist of the show click here.