WWE premium live events (PLEs) are migrating from NBC’s Peacock streaming service to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer network sooner than previously planned.
Separately, NBC announced Wednesday that it agreed to a multi-year rights deal for WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, which has previously aired on NBC’s broadcast network, to now stream exclusively on Peacock. This includes John Cena’s retirement match on Dec. 13 in Boston.
Earlier this month, WWE and ESPN announced a five-year, $1.6 billion deal for the PLEs to move to ESPN beginning with WrestleMania next year. However, WWE and ESPN announced Wednesday that the partnership is starting six months sooner.
Peacock’s final PLE show will be Clash in Paris on Aug. 31, and ESPN will take the baton starting with Wrestlepalooza on Sept. 20 in Indianapolis.
It was not immediately clear if the end date has changed on the pact between WWE and ESPN, as far as whether it now concludes in September 2030 or still in March 2031 as originally planned.
ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service launches Aug. 21 and will cost $29.99 a month. An introductory offer includes Hulu and Disney+. It costs $39.99 when bundled with the new Fox One streamer.
There has been some confusion about whether people who currently subscribe to ESPN via cable, satellite, or OTT bundles will receive access to the WWE PLEs and the rest of the content on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer network.
ESPN does not currently have deals with Xfinity, Cox, Optimum, or YouTube TV for subscriber authentication, but customers of DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Charter, Fubo, and Verizon Fios will have access at no additional cost.
