In August 1999, ECW began to broadcast nationally on TNN (for what was initially a three year contract). Despite no advertising and a low budget, ECW became TNN's highest rated show.
ECW on TNN was canceled in October 2000 (with the final episode airing on October 6, 2000) in favor of WWF RAW moving to the network. To this day, Paul Heyman strongly believes that the lack of a national television deal was the main cause of ECW's demise.