Releases don’t stop NXT from grabbing its biggest audience in months

After two weeks of pre-taped shows airing on SyFy, NXT returned to a live broadcast on USA last night (Aug. 10). Conversation heading into the show was largely about the 13 people released the Friday before, the changes that move heralded, and low morale among talent that resulted from both.

Turns out the first thing mattered more for the television numbers than the second thing.

According to PW Torch, the viewership number shot up to 751K, not only a huge jump from last week, but the biggest audience NXT’s had since May 4. The 18 - 49 year old demo rating was up big from last week at .19, in line with where they show has usually been since moving to Tuesdays.

We’ll find out if they can grow the numbers at all for Aug. 17’s TakeOver 36 go home show.

Here’s a look at the black-and-gold brand’s viewership and 18 - 49 year old demo rating since they moved to Tuesdays after WrestleMania 37.

• Apr. 13: 805,000 / .22
• Apr. 20: 841,000 / .23
• Apr. 27: 744,000 / .22
• May 4: 761,000 / .18
• May 11 - 697K / .17
• May 18 - 700K / .15
• May 25 - 698K / .13
• June 1 - 668K / .19
• June 8 - 669K / .20
• June 15 - 695K / .19
• June 22 - 665K / .17
• June 29 - 636K / .13
• July 6 - 654K / .18
• July 13 - 705K / .19
• July 20 - 709K / .20
• July 27* - 520K / .12
• Aug. 3* - 520K / .10
• Aug. 10 - 751K / .19

For complete results and the live blog for NXT this week click here. To read a review of the night’s show click here. For a full playlist of the show click here.

* Pre-taped episode that aired on SyFy