WWE SmackDown Moves to SyFy This Week Due to Olympics
Summary
WWE's "SmackDown" temporarily moves to SyFy this week due to the Winter Olympics on USA Network. You can watch it online for free.
WWE SmackDown moves to SyFy this week
WWE Friday Night SmackDown is airing on the SyFy channel this week due to the 2026 Winter Olympics. The show's usual home, USA Network, is broadcasting 24/7 Olympic coverage through February 22nd.
While most USA Network scripted series are on hiatus, SmackDown is a live weekly event. This necessitated finding an immediate, temporary broadcast partner to air the February 20th episode.
How to watch SmackDown online for free
Viewers can watch the show live on SyFy through their cable provider. For cord-cutters, the episode will be available to stream live on platforms that carry SyFy.
These include:
- FuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Sling TV (through the Blue or Orange & Blue packages)
Many of these services offer free trial periods, allowing new subscribers to watch this week's episode at no cost. The show airs live at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.
Why the network switch is happening
The move is a direct result of NBCUniversal's Olympic broadcasting schedule. As the parent company of both USA Network and SyFy, it shifted all USA programming to make way for continuous Olympic events.
This is not the first time a major live event has displaced SmackDown. The show has previously moved to FS1 due to MLB playoffs and has a history of network changes, having aired on Fox, UPN, and MyNetworkTV in the past.
The temporary relocation underscores the challenge of scheduling a live, weekly television product alongside major sporting events that command entire network schedules.
What to expect on this week's episode
The February 20th episode will continue storylines leading into the next premium live event, WWE Elimination Chamber. Key matches and segments are expected to focus on building feuds for that upcoming show.
SyFy has previously aired WWE programming, including episodes of WWE NXT. The channel is expected to handle the broadcast with the same production team and commentary, ensuring a seamless viewing experience for fans despite the channel change.
SmackDown is scheduled to return to its regular slot on USA Network on Friday, February 27th, following the conclusion of the Olympic Games.
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