WWE Raw draws lowest ratings since ThunderDome began

Raw on Labor Day did 1.73 million viewers and a 0.48 rating in 18-49, by far the lowest for a show since the beginning of the ThunderDome.

Raw was hurt by sports competition with the NBA playoff game going against the first 72 minutes doing 2.71 million viewers and a 1.06 rating in 18-49, and the game against the last 108 minutes doing 3.45 million viewers and a 1.21 rating in 18-49. College football on ESPN did 1.15 million viewers and 0.35 and the NHL playoffs on NBC Sports did 958,000 viewers and 0.28.

As compared to last week, Raw was down nine percent overall, 17 percent in 18-49, and 30 percent in 18-34.

Raw finished 17th overall, which is actually better than it usually does. In 18-49, Raw was fifth behind two NBA playoff games, Inside the NBA, and Below Deck Mediterranean.

The first-to-third hour drop was eight percent, actually low, but that was because the first hour started low due to Labor Day. Labor Day traditionally has people starting the show later than usual, peaking in hour two, and then falling. Usually the third hour drop isn’t as bad because so many tuned in after 9 p.m. as compared to a usual week.

In women 18-49, Raw was 12 percent higher in hour three than hour one due to tuning in late, although males 18-49 were 14 percent down, teenage girls were 12 percent down, teenage boys were 10 percent down, and over 50 was eight percent down.

As compared to the same week last year, it should be noted that this week last year was the season debut of Monday Night Football which did 13.04 million viewers against Raw and led to a huge decline from what Raw had been doing. But even though this was not against the NFL, the show was down 19 percent overall, 30 percent in 18-49, and 52 percent in 18-34.

The three hours were:

• 8 p.m. 1.76 million viewers
• 9 p.m. 1.80 million viewers
• 10 p.m. 1.61 million viewers