The Dynamite debut of Adam Copeland saw Dynamite even in the 18-49 demographic while falling in viewership from last week.
The October 4 anniversary edition of Dynamite averaged 800,000 viewers and 364,000 (0.28) in the 18-49 demographic, per Wrestlenomics and Sports TV Ratings.
The audience was down by 6% from last week’s episode and was its lowest average since May 7. The 18-49 demo was flat from last week’s 0.28 rating and 365,000 viewers.
It was circulating throughout Wednesday that AEW Dynamite was incorrectly listed for a 4 p.m. ET start time for those with DirecTV, Spectrum, and Verizon Fios and would impact those relying on DVRs. It is unknown how impactful this error was but it would have affected some of the same-day viewership.
And the TBS Network DVR listing issue for tonight's Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite Anniversary is affecting Verizon Fios customers as well, in addition to DirecTV + Spectrum.
Please check your DVR to make sure you have #AEWDynamite at our usual start time
At 8pm ET/7pm CT tonight! https://t.co/N14T4uKgOU— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) October 4, 2023
Due to a transmission issue during the first hour, AEW re-aired a produced segment involving Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and The Kingdom and included a seven-minute overrun featuring Adam Copeland and Christian Cage.
The overrun was the peak of the show with 852,000 viewers and 401,000 in the 18-49 demo, per Wrestlenomics.
Dynamite also aired against two MLB playoff games with Miami vs. Philadelphia (3,238,000 viewers and 0.85 in 18-49) on ESPN and Arizona vs. Milwaukee (1,952,000 and 0.46) on ESPN 2.
Dynamite ranked #6 among sports programming on cable for Wednesday behind three MLB playoff games and the surrounding coverage.
Despite the drop in overall viewers, adults 18-34 saw a 36% increase from 129,000 to 175,000 this week led by males in the demo growing from 84,000 to 123,000 this week.
It was Dynamite’s largest 18-34 audience since June 14.
Conversely, adults 35-49 dropped by 20% from 236,000 last week to 189,000 with 22% among men and a 15% drop in women.
This week’s episode of NXT topped Dynamite in overall viewers (857,000 to 800,000), females 18-49 (116,000 to 109,000), and females 35-49 (69,000 to 57,000).
In Canada, the show averaged approximately 119,000 viewers and 56,000 in the 25-54 demographic on TSN 2. Overall viewership increased by 31% from last week and was Dynamite’s largest viewership in Canada since August 30. This week’s episode of Dynamite topped last Friday’s edition of SmackDown in the 25-54 demo with AEW doing 56,000 and SmackDown at 50,400.
