Finding out what channel is wwe smackdown on today is basically a rite of passage for wrestling fans in 2026. If you're standing in front of your TV right now clicking through your remote, you've probably noticed that things aren't where they used to be. The blue brand has hopped around more than a high-flyer in a TLC match lately.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess if you don't keep a literal calendar on your fridge. As of January 13, 2026, the landscape of sports entertainment has shifted significantly due to massive streaming deals and network migrations that finalized at the start of this year. You're not just looking for a channel anymore; you're looking for the right platform, and that depends entirely on where you live.
The Current Home of Friday Night SmackDown
In the United States, WWE SmackDown is currently airing on the USA Network. After years on FOX, the move back to cable happened late in 2024, but 2026 brought a massive change to the format.
The show isn't two hours anymore.
Starting January 2, 2026, USA Network expanded SmackDown to a full three-hour broadcast. It now runs from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM ET. This matches the length of Monday Night Raw, which can be exhausting for some, but it means more mid-card development and longer matches for the workhorses on the roster.
If you're looking for the show today, Tuesday, January 13, it’s not on. SmackDown remains a Friday night staple. However, its "brother" show, NXT, is what you’ll find on the CW Network tonight at 8:00 PM ET.
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International Fans and the Netflix Factor
If you are outside the United States, the answer to what channel is wwe smackdown on today is almost certainly Netflix.
The "Netflix Era" of WWE is officially in full swing. While American fans still have to juggle USA Network for SmackDown and the CW for NXT, international markets—including the UK, Canada, and most of Europe—have shifted their primary viewing to the red streaming giant.
- United Kingdom: Airing live at 1:00 AM GMT Saturday morning on Netflix.
- Canada: Available via Netflix (and previously Sportsnet+, though most live rights have migrated).
- Germany/Australia/India: Live and on-demand exclusively on Netflix.
This shift has been a game-changer for accessibility. No more weird regional cable packages or localized sports networks that are hard to find. If you have a Netflix sub in London or Sydney, you just hit play.
What Channel is WWE SmackDown on Today? Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule
It is easy to get confused because the days and platforms are constantly in flux. Let’s look at the current weekly rotation for January 2026 so you don’t miss a Spear or a RKO.
Monday: Monday Night Raw is now exclusively on Netflix for US and international fans. This was the biggest shift in wrestling history, moving a 30-year cable flagship to a streaming-only model.
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Tuesday: NXT airs on the CW Network. This move from USA to CW was designed to put the developmental brand on free-to-air broadcast television to reach a younger, broader audience.
Friday: SmackDown remains on USA Network in the US and Netflix internationally.
Expert Note: If you are trying to find the show on a Tuesday like today, you are likely looking for the replay. In the US, Peacock usually hosts the replay after a delay, but international Netflix users can often watch the VOD (Video on Demand) immediately after the live airing ends.
Why the Channel Changes Keep Happening
WWE is currently chasing "Live Sports" money. Networks like USA (owned by NBCUniversal) want the live "appointment" viewing that wrestling provides because it’s "DVR-proof"—people want to watch it as it happens to avoid spoilers on X (formerly Twitter) or Reddit.
The move to the three-hour format on USA was a direct response to the network wanting more content hours to sell advertising. While some fans think three hours is "too much wrestling," the ratings for the first two weeks of January 2026 showed that the third hour is actually holding up surprisingly well, especially with the Bloodline storylines still dominating the main event scene.
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How to Stream SmackDown if You Don't Have Cable
Since you're searching for what channel is wwe smackdown on today, you might be a cord-cutter. If you are in the US and don't have a traditional cable box, you have a few specific options to catch the USA Network feed:
- Sling TV: Usually the cheapest way to get USA Network. The "Sling Blue" package carries the channel.
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes USA and gives you the ability to record the show if you can't watch it live at 8 PM.
- YouTube TV: A fan favorite for the "unlimited DVR" feature, which is great for skipping the commercials during the now three-hour SmackDown broadcast.
- FuboTV: Primarily for sports fans, but it carries the full NBCUniversal suite including USA.
The Peacock vs. Netflix Confusion
There is a huge misconception that everything moved to Netflix. That is not true for US viewers.
In the United States, Peacock still holds the rights to the "Premium Live Events" (PLEs) like the Royal Rumble (happening later this month on January 31, 2026, in Riyadh) and WrestleMania 42. Netflix only handles the weekly Raw broadcast in the US. If you want to see SmackDown live, you still need a way to access USA Network.
Watching SmackDown While Traveling
If you’re an American traveling abroad today and you’re trying to use your cable app to watch the blue brand, you’re going to hit a geoblock. It’s annoying.
The most common workaround fans are using in 2026 is a VPN to set their location back to the States to use their YouTube TV or Hulu account. Conversely, some US fans use a VPN to set their location to the UK or Canada just to watch SmackDown on Netflix, as the streaming quality on Netflix is often higher (and has fewer commercials) than the USA Network cable feed.
Key Takeaways for Today’s Viewer
- SmackDown Day: Friday.
- Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET (Yes, 3 hours!).
- US Channel: USA Network.
- International: Netflix.
- Tonight (Tuesday): It’s NXT on the CW.
To stay current, your best bet is to download the WWE App. It sends a push notification about 15 minutes before showtime that usually includes a "Where to Watch" link tailored to your specific GPS location. This is honestly the only way to keep track of the chaotic broadcast rights landscape of 2026.
Check your local listings or your streaming app's "Live" tab about an hour before 8 PM ET on Friday to ensure your subscription is active. If you're looking for tonight's NXT action, make sure your digital antenna or cable package includes the CW.