According to a new study conducted by Magna Global for SportsBusiness Journal, the median age of the professional wrestling television viewer was 54 in 2016. This is a significant change from the median age back in 2000, which was 28, and the median age in 2006, which was 33.
The study included analysis of 25 sports total, including MLB, NFL, NHL, Golf, Racing, Boxing, UFC and more. Out of all the sports, pro wrestling viewership saw the biggest increase in median viewer change.
Deadspin.com picked up on the Magna Global study, and included a quote from Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who feels the average median age is not as high as the report suggests:
“The premise is accurate but current average sounds high, Raw & SD are still in 40s”, said Meltzer.
The Deadspin analysis, however, points out a potential problem for WWE, in that its move to offer a more child friendly product might contradict the wants of an older audience. Deadspin added that many fans who began watching WWE during the “Attitude Era” might still be watching today, but there hasn’t been a new crop of young viewers to replace the aging fans from the 90’s.
It’s worth noting, according to MediaPost.com, that as of 2000, there was still a relatively wide gap among the then six broadcast networks. WB’s median age was under 30, UPN and FOX were in the mid-30s, ABC and NBC were in the low 40s, and CBS was in the low 50s. 2010, for the first time, ABC, CBS, and NBC all had median ages of 50 or higher, with CBS topping out at 55. FOX had aged up to 45. Only CW had an average median age under 40.
Additionally, 40% of the viewing habits of 18-24 year olds have migrated to other media forms in the last 5 years, reports MarketingCharts.com.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
