SmackDown will expand to a three-hour broadcast beginning January 2, 2026 on the USA Network. The announcement was made by Michael Cole during Friday's episode of SmackDown.
The show has operated as a two-hour broadcast in recent months after reverting from three hours earlier this year. Reports had emerged in November that this change was coming.
The expansion appears driven by USA Network's reliance on WWE as its premiere ratings performer.
With no other programming on the network capable of drawing comparable viewership, the additional hour allows USA to maximize advertising revenue from its strongest asset. The format change reflects WWE's growing global ambitions, including plans for the company's first-ever Italy PLE in May 2026.














