TNA News: Did This Week's Impact! Wrestling Rise in Viewership?

Last week's Thanksgiving episode of Impact! Wrestling was not a good showing (nor is it ever) for Total Nonstop Action (TNA). Given the busy holiday, TNA struggled to pull off an impressive number.

However, this past Thursday edition got Impact! Wrestling back on track, as TNA saw its viewership rise (via TV By the Numbers).

The November 29 edition of Impact! Wrestling had 1.3 million viewers, up from last week's viewership. The Thanksgiving episode landed 1.18 million viewers. In adults 18-49, Impact! Wrestling scored a 0.4 rating share.

NFL Thursday Night Football had an extremely strong night, with slightly over seven million viewers this past week. Thursday Night Football also posted a 2.8 rating share in adults 18-49. 

My Take on Impact! Wrestling's Viewership Increase

To say this least, TNA has gotten back to its normal levels of around 1.2-1.3 million viewers. However, the number should continue to disappoint them as well, as TNA could be doing much more competitive numbers considering along the amount of stars on the roster.

The key ingredient TNA is missing is taking Impact! Wrestling on the road. While TNA should remain live to keep its momentum, going outside the Impact! Zone will truly enhance their product. In return, perhaps TNA will see better results not just in the quality of their shows, but also in the ratings. 

TNA is challenging itself after announcing that it will be holding its annual Lockdown pay-per-view in March at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Considering it's a top pay-per-view event, TNA holding Lockdown at an arena of this size should help the company make its decision to expand further outside the Impact! Zone in 2013.

Nevertheless, this was a pretty strong Impact! Wrestling episode this week. While there are still a few issues creatively to fix (such as the whole scandalous storyline between Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan), TNA continues to provide a decent enough product to not have viewers turn away from it. Now, it is time to focus on how to grow its viewership rather than maintain it.