The ESPN WWE streaming deal has been finalized, with ESPN securing a five-year agreement to stream all of WWE’s premium live events in the United States, starting in 2026. The deal, valued at an average of $325 million per year, marks a major shift in the sports and entertainment media landscape. Previously held by NBCUniversal’s Peacock, these rights will now be central to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platform.
Major WWE Events Move to ESPN’s New Streaming Platform
Beginning in 2026, ESPN will stream WWE’s top-tier live events, including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam, through its forthcoming $29.99-per-month DTC service. The ESPN WWE streaming deal includes 10 annual premium events, and select broadcasts will also air on ESPN’s linear television networks.
This shift ends WWE’s five-year run with NBCUniversal’s Peacock, which previously paid $180 million annually for the same content package. WWE’s SmackDown will remain on USA Network and Peacock until at least 2029.
Strategic Expansion for Both ESPN and WWE
This ESPN WWE streaming deal is seen as a significant step in ESPN’s broader push into streaming, as Disney seeks to modernize its sports media offerings. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized that the agreement aligns with the network’s mission to expand beyond traditional sports and reach new demographics.
“The WWE audience is younger, more diverse, and includes more women than our typical viewership,” said Pitaro. “This is a fantastic way for us to grow.”
TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, echoed that sentiment. President and COO Mark Shapiro called the deal a natural evolution. “If you want to grow WWE’s fan base nationally and expand our audience, ESPN is the right partner,” he said.
WWE’s Media Strategy Continues to Evolve
This agreement with ESPN is part of WWE’s broader media rights strategy. Earlier in 2024, WWE signed a $5 billion, 10-year deal with Netflix to stream Monday Night Raw globally, including all marquee events outside the U.S. With this new ESPN partnership, WWE is segmenting its media presence across major platforms to maximize reach and revenue.
WWE President Nick Khan pointed out the multigenerational appeal of professional wrestling: “Roughly 38% of our viewers are women, and about half of our live event attendees are families with kids. That aligns well with ESPN’s growing multigenerational audience.”
Industry Implications
The ESPN WWE streaming deal signals a growing convergence between sports media and sports entertainment. It also underscores ESPN’s intent to leverage high-profile live content to anchor its new streaming service, as traditional cable viewership declines.
With the rising cost of live sports rights, ESPN’s move demonstrates its commitment to staying competitive in the rapidly evolving streaming landscape. For WWE, the partnership provides broader exposure and enhanced distribution in the U.S. market through a legacy sports brand.
The agreement highlights how top-tier entertainment content—especially live events—continues to be a critical differentiator in the competitive world of streaming platforms.
Comcast, the parent company of CNBC and USA Network, previously held WWE streaming rights through its subsidiary NBCUniversal.
Source: https://www.wsj.com/business/media/disney-paying-1-6-billion-for-wwe-rights-a069f4cc
