ESPN has secured the exclusive streaming rights for WWE’s marquee events in a landmark $1.6 billion deal with the company, which will take effect in 2026.
The five-year agreement will see ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service become the home of WWE’s biggest live events, including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and SummerSlam.
The $1.6 Billion Deal
This deal is nearly double the $180 million per year NBCUniversal paid to air WWE events on Peacock. ESPN’s new streaming platform, launching on August 21 for $29.99 a month, will feature all ten major WWE events annually, offering fans a new way to access the high-octane action.
The announcement also aligns with ESPN’s strategy to expand its reach and appeal to a younger, more diverse audience, a demographic that WWE attracts, with about 38% of its viewers being female.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro noted that the deal would help keep subscribers engaged year-round, even when other major sports are out of season.
ESPN’s Expanding Sports Portfolio
This deal follows a significant move for ESPN, which recently announced that the NFL is taking a 10% equity stake in the company. In return, ESPN has taken over the NFL’s media properties, including NFL Network and NFL RedZone, which will bring more exclusive content and live games to the streaming platform.
While WWE’s programming, with its predetermined outcomes, differs from traditional sports, ESPN sees it as a major opportunity to attract and retain a broader audience.
WWE’s Entertainment Meets ESPN’s Strategy
ESPN has a long history with wrestling content, having previously aired matches from the American Wrestling Association from 1985 to 1990.
The network already has a strong partnership with WWE parent company TKO Group Holdings, having broadcast UFC events for years. This new agreement strengthens that relationship and further integrates WWE content into ESPN’s sports ecosystem.
Future of ESPN’s Streaming and Coverage
Alongside the WWE deal, ESPN has also expanded its coverage of the NFL Draft, announcing a multiyear extension with Disney+. Beginning in 2024, the draft will be available across all of Disney’s streaming platforms, with additional alternative telecasts and a daily draft-focused program set to debut after the Super Bowl.
The $1.6 billion deal marks a significant shift in the sports and entertainment landscape, with WWE’s high-profile events moving to ESPN’s streaming service.
This partnership aims to bolster subscriber growth, engage diverse audiences, and enhance ESPN’s content offerings as the company continues to expand its live sports coverage and streaming capabilities.
