The WWE started an ambitious endeavor 7 years ago, by starting their own over the top streaming service that would show all its product. The company was doing something that may have changed the way we view content forever and especially in the sports arena. That has now all come to and end as it was announced on Tuesday that WWE has struck a deal with NBC Universal to move all of its streaming content to their new Peacock Network.
As a result of the deal the WWE will shut down the Network App here in the United States. According to the Wall Street Journal the deal is valued at around $1 billion for 5 years. That equates to $200 million annually. For this deal all of the WWE pay per views starting March will now be streamed on Peacock starting with Fastlane. The last major PPV will be this Sunday’s Royal Rumble, followed by NXT Takeover and Elimination Chamber.
In 2018 the company reupped with NBC Universal to air RAW and NXT for around $265 million per year from 2019-2024 and then ad on their $200 from FOX to air programs on Fox and Fox Sports the company will make well over $600 million per year with no gate revenue or merch sales not even factored in.
Fans don’t loose much as they can get the same access, they once had with Peacock Premium for 4.99 a month which they can save money on their 9.99 deal they currently pay or spring for the 9.99 ad free version. So, they get their wrestling and access to the vast library of shows and movies on the Peacock Network. NBC gains something that will make it unique in the world of streaming wars have the library of the most famous wrestling company in the country and their library of classic programing from almost every major organization that ever existed in this country. Combine that with NBC shutting down its sports network and migrating most of its content to Peacock they are poised to be a big player in the content wars going forward.
With all the positives that come out of this, there does seem like some opportunity was missed. The Network was unique, and it gave fans a lot of access to content that they may have never seen before. Hopefully, the new home will still allow and open up even more of the tape library for fans who like to explore territories they may never gotten to see.
I felt like the service could have made the WWE a major game changer with all of their content endeavors. Having reality shows, movies and a football league to go with the wrestling it could have aired a very interesting line-up that brought in a lot of viewers. The company hasn’t shot a movie in a year and gotten out of the football business. So now lets just sit back and watch and hope for the best. We can also watch that Saved by The Bell reboot now too.
Written By
Keith B. Holt
Follow on Twitter @Kholtjr
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