WWE SmackDown ratings for the January 9, 2026 episode saw a decline in the United States despite a major title change, as WWE viewership was affected by strong competition from the College Football Playoff.
According to Programming Insider, SmackDown averaged 990,000 viewers on USA Network and recorded a 0.26 rating in the 18–49 demographic. The episode was taped earlier in the day in Berlin, Germany and aired on a tape delay in the U.S. market, while streaming live internationally.
The numbers marked a drop from the previous week’s January 2 broadcast, which featured the return of SmackDown’s three-hour format and averaged over 1.1 million viewers. Friday’s decline was widely attributed to the Indiana vs Oregon College Football Playoff semifinal, which dominated cable viewership on the night.
WWE SmackDown Ratings Drop From January 2 to January 9, 2026
The WWE SmackDown ratings decline from January 2 to January 9, 2026 becomes clearer when the two episodes are compared side by side. The January 2 show marked the return of the three-hour format, while the January 9 episode aired on tape delay from Germany and faced major sports competition in the United States.
| Episode Date | Location | Total Viewership | 18–49 Demo Rating | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2, 2026 | Buffalo, New York | 1.18 million | 0.28 | First SmackDown of 2026, return of three-hour format |
| January 9, 2026 | Berlin, Germany (tape-delayed) | 990,000 | 0.26 | Aired opposite College Football Playoff semifinal |
Despite the dip, Friday Night SmackDown still ranked among the top original cable programs for Friday.
With no playoff competition scheduled, attention now turns to WWE SmackDown on January 16, 2026, which will air live from London, England and feature multiple #1 contender qualifying matches. WWE will be looking for a rebound in ratings and viewership as the road to the Royal Rumble continues.
For full match details and broadcast information, see our WWE SmackDown Lineup for January 16, 2026 guide.
