WWE Raw ratings hold up better than expected during holiday week

[Big Red Machine]

Source: www.F4WOnline.com

By Paul Fontaine | @PaulAceFontaine | Jul 6, 2017 7:20 am

Monday night's episode of Raw on the USA Network averaged 2.836 million viewers, down five percent from last week's total. For just the third time in 2017, it was up in the year-over-year ratings, although last year the show fell on July 4th, traditionally one of the worst nights of the year for TV numbers.

The show averaged 2.825 million viewers for the first hour. It climbed to 2.912 million for the second hour, then fell back to 2.78 million in hour three. The episode held its audience throughout much more than it does most weeks, as the drop from the second to the third hour was less than five percent, the fifth best audience retention in 2017.

Raw was first for the night in total viewers on cable but finished second in the 18-49 demo to Love and Hip Hop Atlanta on VH1.

SmackDown ratings, which are usually out by now, were also delayed due to the July 4th holiday but should be available this afternoon.