NBC’s $1B WWE Bet

Peacock is spreading its wings.

NBCUniversal’s fledgling streaming service struck a deal for exclusive rights to World Wrestling Entertainment content. The five-year deal is valued at more than $1 billion, a source told The Wall Street Journal. 

WWE will shut down its WWE Network streaming service in the U.S. in mid-March and instead license the content to Peacock.

• WWE Network is adding 1.2 million subscribers to Peacock’s 26 million. 
• Peacock subscriptions start at $4.99 per month and will include content like “WrestleMania” and “WWE Icons.” The commercial-free “premium” version costs $9.99 per month. 

“One of the key things we’re trying to do is differentiate ourselves through live events and sports, and this premium content is a cornerstone of our strategy,” said Rick Cordella, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Peacock.

NBC Sports Gold IndyCar TrackPass content is moving to Peacock as well, the latest in a string of sport-specific Gold passes that have been rolled into the service.

Peacock is also getting its own golf betting companion show — the first for a PGA Tour event, in partnership with PointsBet. The show, titled NBC Sports Edge BetCast, will be available on Peacock Premium starting Feb. 4.

The moves come after NBC’s announcement that it will shut down NBC Sports Network by the end of the year — a decision intended to bolster Peacock as it competes with giants like Netflix and Disney+.