Why Is WWE on Peacock?
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If you’re a wrestling fan, you’re probably wondering why WWE is now on Peacock. Here’s what you need to know about the new streaming service.
WWE and Peacock
WWE and Peacock have entered into a multi-year partnership that will bring WWE Network and its content to Peacock, NBCUniversal’s new streaming service. Peacock will become the exclusive streaming home of WWE Network in the U.S. later this year. WWE Network will continue to operate as a standalone service outside of the U.S.
WWE and NBCUniversal
WWE and NBCUniversal entered into a groundbreaking ten-year agreement in January 2014 that transformed WWE Network into an over-the-top (OTT) service. Under the agreement, WWE Network was made available to subscribers in the U.S. on February 24, 2014 and on March 18, 2014 for subscribers living outside of the U.S. The service became available in Canada, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand on August 12, 2014.
In September 2019, WWE and NBCUniversal entered into a new five-year programming agreement that extends WWE’s relationship with NBCUniversal through 2024. Under the new pact, all WWE pay-per-view events will now stream live exclusively on Peacock in the U.S., with the exception of WrestleMania which will continue to be distributed as a joint pay-per-view event by WWE and traditional television providers.
In addition to being able to stream every active WWE pay-per-view event live exclusively on Peacock Premium in the U.S., fans can also enjoy extensive on-demand content including every episode of Raw and SmackDown from 1984 to present day as well as every WrestleMania dating back to its inception in 1985. Other fan-favorite programs such as NXT UK, NXT TakeOver specials and Mae Young Classic are also available to stream on demand alongside hundreds of hours of archived content from WCW and ECW including classic pay-per-view events.
WWE Network to Peacock
WWE Network is a premium streaming service that gives fans 24/7 access to WWE programming, including every live pay-per-view event. It launched in February 2014 and is available in over 180 countries.
In January 2020, it was announced that WWE Network would be migrating to NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, Peacock. The transition began on March 18, 2020, and was completed on April 4, 2020. As part of the move, all WWE Network content is now behind a paywall on Peacock.
There are several reasons why WWE decided to move its streaming service to Peacock. First and foremost, Peacock is a much larger platform with a bigger reach than WWE Network. This means that more people will now be able to watch WWE programming than ever before.
In addition, Peacock offers a number of features that WWE Network does not, such as live programming from NBC Sports and MSNBC, as well as on-demand content from a variety of NBCUniversal networks. This gives WWE fans more options for what to watch when they’re not catching live wrestling action.
Finally, the move to Peacock will likely result in increased revenue for WWE. Although the specifics of the deal between WWE and NBCUniversal have not been made public, it’s safe to assume that NBCU is paying WWE more for its content than WWE was earning through its own streaming service. This additional revenue will no doubt be welcomed by the company as it looks to continue growing its business in the years ahead.
What Does This Mean for WWE Fans?
On January 1st, 2021, WWE’s flagship shows, Monday Night Raw and SmackDown, will move from the USA Network to NBC’s new streaming service, Peacock. This is a huge deal for WWE and their fans. Let’s take a look at what this could mean for WWE and their fans.
More Content
WWE fans rejoice! As of March 18, 2021, WWE Network is now streaming on Peacock. If you’re wondering why WWE would make the switch, it’s because Peacock offers more content than WWE Network.
On top of that, Peacock is also less expensive. The ad-supported version of Peacock is free, while the ad-free version is $4.99/month—that’s $9.99 less than what WWE Network costs. And if you’re already a subscriber to NBCUniversal’s cable service, you get Peacock Premium for free.
So what does this mean for WWE fans? More content and cheaper monthly rates. But there are a few things to keep in mind. First, not all of WWE Network’s content is available on Peacock—at least not yet. Second, some of WWE Network’s features—like creating a watchlist and downloading shows to watch offline—are not available on Peacock.
And lastly, if you cancel your WWE Network subscription, you will no longer have access to any content that is exclusive to WWE Network—including pay-per-views and on demand shows. So if you’re a diehard WWE fan, you might want to keep your subscription until all of WWE Network’s content has migrated over to Peacock.
Better Quality
When WWE made the switch from being available on the WWE Network to being available on Peacock, many fans were worried about what that would mean for the quality of the content.
WWE has reassured fans that they will still be able to enjoy the same high-quality content that they were used to on the WWE Network. In fact, Peacock will even be offering some content in 4K resolution for those with compatible devices.
So why the switch? For WWE, it simply made sense to move their content over to Peacock given that it is one of the fastest-growing streaming platforms out there. This way, they can reach a wider audience and continue to grow their brand.
More Affordable
The WWE Network is available in the United States for $9.99 per month, with a free trial available for new subscribers. In comparison, Peacock Premium is $4.99 per month with ads or $9.99 per month without ads. So, if you are a wrestling fan looking to save some money, Peacock may be the right choice for you.
Additionally, those who sign up for the WWE Network through Peacock will have access to exclusive content that is not available on the regular network. This includes original programming, classic matches, and more. So, if you are a diehard WWE fan, signing up for the network through Peacock may be worth it just for the exclusive content alone.
What Does This Mean for Peacock?
The WWE has a lot of content that is perfect for Peacock. It is a family-friendly entertainment option that has a lot of appeal to a wide range of viewers. The WWE also has a lot of content that is exclusive to Peacock. This means that there is a reason to subscribe to Peacock if you are a WWE fan.
More Content
The partnership between WWE and Peacock is a multiplatform deal that will deliver more than 175,000 hours of content from WWE’s vast library including all pay-per-view events, original series, documentaries, classic matches, replays of Raw and SmackDown Live and more. In addition to this collection of on-demand content, Peacock will also be the exclusive home of WWE Network’s live programming including special events, pay-per-views and a 24/7 channel.
Better Quality
WWE on Peacock will feature a better quality version of WWE Network programming, which is great news for fans. The new service will offer all of the same features as WWE Network, but with increased video quality. This means that you’ll be able to watch your favorite WWE shows and events in up to 1080p HD.
More Affordable
With the recent launch of Peacock, the streaming wars have officially begun. And while this new service offers a lot of great content, including many popular WWE shows, some fans are wondering why WWE chose to partner with Peacock instead of sticking with their current platform, WWE Network.
There are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, Peacock is simply a more affordable option for WWE. That’s because, unlike WWE Network, which is a standalone subscription service, Peacock is part of NBCUniversal’s new streaming bundle. This means that if you want to watch WWE programming on Peacock, you’ll first need to subscribe to the base package, which starts at just $4.99 per month.
In addition to being more affordable, Peacock also offers a wider range of content than WWE Network. This includes not only WWE programming but also popular shows from NBC, Bravo, E! and more. So if you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your entertainment needs, Peacock is definitely the way to go.
Of course, there are some downsides to switching to Peacock. For one thing, not all of WWE Network’s content is currently available on Peacock. This includes some older shows and pay-per-views. In addition, Peacock does not currently offer any live programming, though this is something that is reportedly in the works.
So if you’re trying to decide whether or not to switch to Peacock for your WWE fix, weigh the pros and cons and make the decision that’s right for you.