WWE initially launched the WWE Network as a dedicated platform for its content portfolio, including pay-per-views (PPVs), WCW, and ECW archives. This service was later incorporated into NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming platform in the United States starting in early 2021, right before WrestleMania 37, resulting in Peacock replacing the standalone WWE Network.
Since then, WWE finalized a new agreement with Netflix, granting it worldwide rights to Monday Night Raw while managing SmackDown, NXT, documentaries, and premium live events (PLEs) outside the U.S.
Following that, much of WWE’s material was pulled from Peacock and transferred to ESPN’s streaming channel, leaving Peacock with only NXT Premium Live Events and Saturday Night’s Main Event attached to WWE content.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the deal involving WWE NXT on Peacock is set to expire within approximately one week unless an extension is agreed upon. The upcoming NXT Stand & Deliver event will be the last live show streamed under the current contract.
With the exception of select programming like the WWE Evil series, Saturday Night’s Main Event will remain the sole WWE live offering on Peacock going forward. Johnson also reported that there has been no official confirmation yet about where NXT live events and archives will be available in the U.S. after the Pepsi deal concludes.
Challenges Emerging with WWE’s Partnership with ESPN
The relationship between WWE and ESPN is barely a year old, yet it is already experiencing difficulties. One significant concern has arisen regarding the cost of ESPN’s app, which many WWE viewers find expensive.
“That $29 cost (of ESPN Unlimited), I believe, is somewhat prohibitive, especially in today’s economy and the struggles that certainly middle-income and low-income earners are having with affordability. They have to get those deals done. Until they do, that will affect our audience.” Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro, president of TKO Group, pointed out that over time, the service could broaden its audience as platforms like YouTube TV, Dish, and others enable their customers to access ESPN through authentication at no additional charge. While providers such as Xfinity, DirecTV, and Spectrum support authentication, some major distributors are yet to join, impacting overall subscriber reach.
What This Means for WWE Fans Moving Forward
The expiration of the WWE NXT Peacock deal introduces uncertainty regarding where fans will catch future NXT live events and archival content within the United States. With WWE’s content currently scattered among multiple streaming services—Peacock, Netflix, and ESPN—audiences face challenges in accessing all offerings under one roof.
The limitations of ESPN’s pricing and incomplete provider integration may further complicate this transition, potentially affecting WWE’s viewership and subscriber satisfaction. Fans will be closely watching for updates about where WWE plans to host NXT content once the current Peacock agreement concludes and how these changes will shape the availability of WWE programming.
