What's Happening?
WWE SmackDown will continue to air on USA Network and stream on Peacock through 2029, as part of an ongoing agreement with NBCUniversal. This deal ensures that SmackDown will remain on USA Network every Friday, with episodes available on Peacock afterward. The agreement, announced in September 2023, is a five-year contract starting in October 2024. While WWE's premium live events (PLEs) will transition from Peacock to ESPN's new streaming service in 2026, this change does not affect the SmackDown deal. The ESPN agreement is valued at $325 million annually over five years. NBCUniversal has been a long-time partner of WWE, previously hosting Raw on USA Network before it moved to Netflix.
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Why It's Important?
The continuation of WWE SmackDown on USA Network and Peacock solidifies NBCUniversal's role in WWE's broadcasting strategy, maintaining a significant presence in the sports entertainment industry. This deal ensures stability for WWE's viewership and provides a consistent platform for fans. The transition of WWE PLEs to ESPN's streaming service marks a significant shift in WWE's digital strategy, potentially expanding its audience reach and revenue streams. The financial implications are substantial, with the ESPN deal alone valued at $325 million annually, highlighting the lucrative nature of sports entertainment broadcasting rights.
What's Next?
As WWE transitions its premium live events to ESPN's streaming service in 2026, stakeholders will be watching to see how this affects viewership and subscriber numbers for both ESPN and Peacock. NBCUniversal will continue to leverage SmackDown's popularity to drive viewership on USA Network and Peacock. The industry will also be observing how WWE's strategic partnerships influence its market position and fan engagement. Additionally, the impact of these changes on WWE's content distribution and potential new partnerships will be closely monitored.
