WWE Network purchased by NBC Universal’s Peacock
In a bit of a surprise move, WWE Network will be moving to Peacock, NBC Universal’s new streaming network. The move will only affect US subscribers.
According to Joe Flint of Wall Street Journal, NBCU purchased WWE Network for over $1 billion for five years. Due to the acquisition, the WWE Network will shut down in mid-March.
Variety reports that Peacock will begin airing 17,000 hours of WWE Network content starting March 18, 2021. This will include both new, original content as well as archived content.
NBCUniversal’s Peacock has struck a five-year deal worth more than $1 billion for exclusive streaming rights to World Wrestling Entertainment content. WWE Network now under Peacock in U.S. https://t.co/dm62Jx0BHw
— Joe Flint (@JBFlint) January 25, 2021
The WWE Network boasts about 1.1 million US subscribers, while Peacock has 26 million subscribers after debuting last July. Current WWE subscribers will be switched to Peacock Premium, where they will pay $4.99 per month, a 50% discount. If subscribers wish to have the ad-free version, they can subscribe to Premium Plus for $9.99 a month.
Peacock will air both new and archived content from WWE Network
In addition to library content and new, original content, there will also be live events. The first live event will be Fastlane on Sunday, March 21. Both nights of WrestleMania will also air live on Peacock.
In WWE’s press release, it is also stated that the following WWE Network content will also be available:
"* Original series like Steve Austin Broken Skull Sessions, Undertaker: The Last Ride and the all-new WWE Icons;* In-ring shows like NXT, NXT UK and WWE 205 Live, as well as replays of Raw and SmackDown;* WWE Network archives, including every WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view event in history;Groundbreaking documentaries, including WWE 24, WWE Untold, and WWE 365;"
(h/t Robert Defelice at Fightful.com for the transcription)
As for new content, Peacock will have “one signature documentary annually” beginning in 2022.
WWE and Peacock’s partnership makes sense
WWE has been shopping its network for a while and at one point, it seemed like ESPN+ would be its new home. Last year, the two companies were in discussions to have pay-per-views air on ESPN+. The deal seemed even more likely when ESPN aired WWE programming, including an encore of WrestleMania 35 ahead of WrestleMania 36 airing on the WWE Network.
However, the deal between WWE and NBCU makes sense due to their longstanding relationship. Peacock’s Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Nick Cordella says, “NBCUniversal has a long-standing relationship with WWE that began nearly 30 years ago with Monday Night Raw on USA. 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.”
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In the coming weeks, WWE Network will let its subscribers know how their accounts will be moved over to Peacock.
This is an ongoing story. Stay up-to-date with Daily DDT as we learn more.