WWE Network quietly launches free tier: how does it look?

In the first of what is expected to be several changes for the WWE Network heading into 2020, a free tier has been added to the award winning streaming service.

As our Kevin Parvizi previously wrote about for our site earlier today (originally based on a PWInsider report from Mike Johnson), WWE had plans to introduce a new, free tier for their Network that was expected to launch within the next week.

What we did not expect, however, was that this free tier would be launching today.

While it is unclear exactly when this tier launched today, it is now up, available, live and in color. Paul Davis of Wrestlingnews.co touches on the launch further in his own report.

Davis notes that the free tier is a response to a survey sent out from WWE a couple years ago suggesting a free tier featuring “a limited amount of content, mostly clips that are already on their social media channels and there would be a monthly cap on the number of hours that can be watched on the free stream.”

As I personally look through the WWE Network right now (without signing in to an account), there are free “Highlights” available. The same highlights and clips that WWE have previously posted to YouTube. In fact, on the front page, it seems like generally all of their YouTube videos are available to view on the Network for free, including Top 10s, clips from shows like NXT, etc.

There are also free, full matches available, but again, they are matches that WWE have already posted to their YouTube page. Everything pertaining to Network exclusive content like PPVs and documentaries remain locked and cannot be viewed without signing in to a pre-existing account (be it as a paid subscriber or during a free month long trial).

It appears (as Davis noted in his report) this is very much a beta version of the free tier and the full free tier with additional, limited features will launch by the end of the month. But for now at least, a free tier is available.

Davis also adds that an additional $14.99 subscription is in the works to include streams from independent shows like EVOLVE. For those who do not wish to pay the extra price, there will still be a $9.99 price tag in place featuring everything available now, minus indie content.

There are also plans in place to possibly include a cheaper plan than $9.99. This would likely include all of the same features as the $9.99 tier, but with commercials (similar to Hulu).

In addition, future Network plans for 2020 are in place for NXT TakeOver shows to move to Sunday nights, and more frequent live house show specials in a similar vain to what Starrcade was earlier this month, or even the Beast in the East special from a few years back.