It is very clear that FOX is behind WWE as they have been airing commercials for Friday Night SmackDown during their Super Bowl pre-game coverage.
A few commercials have already aired and more are expected throughout the afternoon. I would not be surprised to see them air at least one commercial during the game. This time, WWE did not have to pay for them since it’s FOX promoting a show that airs on their own network. WWE previously ran a commercial during the Super Bowl in 1999.
Although the viewership has not gone up a lot since the move from the USA Network to FOX, the numbers are solid for Friday night and FOX is getting fresh programming for 52 weeks per year so their investment in WWE may be paying off.
Super Bowl LIV on FOX starts this evening at 6 pm eastern with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 pm eastern.
Another ad to look for tonight is the one featuring John Cena as he will make his debut as Dom’s (played by Vin Diesel) brother in Fast and Furious 9.
Here is the Super Bowl ad that ran in January 1999:
