NBC’s got the belt now, eh?
If you want to watch the WWE Network, from now on you’ll be doing so on NBC Universal’s Peacock. Well, at least, in the U.S.
WWE and NBC Universal have reached a multiyear agreement by which Peacock will be the sole distributor for the WWE Network in the United States. And if you’re a subscriber to the WWE Network, don’t worry; you’ll be migrated over to Peacock. Which is actually a deal, because you’ll be paying half as much, while not only getting the WWE Network content you subscribed for, but also Peacock Premium tier (Ad supported, but still) content.
The change comes March 18th, when Peacock will start rolling out the 17,000+ hours of WWE content the network has available. This includes the full amount of new, original, and library content of the network, both n demand and on a 24-hour streaming channel. Coincidentally, the streamer will have all of WWE’s live events, including WrestleMania and SummerSlam, and Fastlane premiering on the service Sunday, March 21. And yes, you’ll still have the option to order events via pay-per-view.
On Peacock Premium, the WWE Network will cost $4.99 a month, half what it currently costs. Peacock Premium Plus, which costs $9.99 a month and is ad-free, will also come with access to the WWE Network.
Currently, details on the deal are light, as well as how users will be migrated over to Peacock, but both companies plan to elaborate on it in the coming weeks. Nothing will change for subscribers outside the U.S., though.
Regardless, both camps seem to be happy with the arrangement, business-wise.
We feel great about the financials. Otherwise we wouldn’t have done the deal. To have WrestleMania in particular — which is our Super Bowl — available [for no extra cost] on Peacock is quite different from other models you’re seeing.
Nick Khan, WWE president and chief revenue officer
[The WWE Network is] a transformative addition. We have a lot of data that shows live events and sports drives a lot of user acquisition. The bet is that there exists a much larger total available audience [for WWE programming] than is on WWE Network today.
WWE has always tapped into the cultural zeitgeist with spectacular live events and larger-than-life characters, and we are thrilled to be the exclusive home for WWE Network and its millions of fans across the country.Rick Cordella, Peacock EVP and chief revenue officer
Beginning 2022, WWE plans on generating “one signature documentary annually” on Peacock. Naturally, this is in addition to the hours of original content the WWE Network is already bringing to the table.
Source: Variety
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