WWE Premium Live Events moves to ESPN new Streaming Service

[Bruce]

I wonder how happy WWE fans that are cord cutters will be, since ESPN DTC will be a lot more than Peacock.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/espn-wwe-five-year-deal-live-events.html

 

[Mr Tony]

Just won't get it. Much like Netflix I just won't pay for it and won't care if I don't see it. Honestly ever since WWE was sold it's gone down hill. I read about Monday Night Raw and most weeks it sounds dumb.
I'll actually save money since right now the only reason for Peacock is the WWE Pay per…….whoops…..I mean 'exclusive premium event' or whatever they call it
(I have been a wrestling fan since I was 3 or 4 and I'm 50 now. I was an AWA fan here in Minnesota until Vince went nationwide with the WWF back in the late 80s/early 90s. Hulk Hogan was here in the AWA before he went to WWE. The WWE vs WCW for a few years was the best. You had to watch them LIVE. Now even Smackdown I record and scan through it later)

 

[meStevo]

I haven't watched wrestling in decades, but that Unreal docuseries on Netflix is fantastic.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfE8LC_FVLA

 

[b4pjoe]

The new ESPN DTC service now has a start date of August 21, 2025. Same day as FOX NOW.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I wonder how happy WWE fans that are cord cutters will be, since ESPN DTC will be a lot more than Peacock.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/espn-wwe-five-year-deal-live-events.html

I was upset about it when I heard the news... I don't watch sports but do watch WWE so $30 a month would have been too much to me.

However just spoke to a friend at WWE a few minutes ago who explained it to me. And if you have Cable or Satellite, you will be able to log in to the new ESPN service using your cable or satellite credentials at no extra cost.

So if that is the case then I have no problem with it.

I doubt however that I will keep Peacock, as WWE is the only thing I watch on it.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I haven't watched wrestling in decades, but that Unreal docuseries on Netflix is fantastic.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfE8LC_FVLA

Funny part is that series was made by the NFL, not the WWE.

 

[comfortably_numb]

that Unreal docuseries on Netflix is fantastic.

Have you watched the one about Vince McMahon on Netflix? I thought it was excellent.

 

[meStevo]

Funny part is that series was made by the NFL, not the WWE.

Payton Manning's Omaha Productions, not the NFL, but yeah, the docuseries' they've made that I've watched have all been really good quality. I've just seen this and the NFL ones, but they've produced some covering the NBA, WNBA and a few college related programs.

Omaha Productions - Docuseries

Omaha Productions Docuseries creates acclaimed content, including the Places franchise and follow-documentaries for networks and streamers.

omahaproductions.com

Have you watched the one about Vince McMahon on Netflix? I thought it was excellent.

Haven't gotten to it yet

 

[Yespage]

The new ESPN DTC service now has a start date of August 21, 2025. Same day as FOX NOW.

FOX One.

 

[comfortably_numb]

No offense to the WWE fans here, but I have a hard time understanding the appeal. It's so fake and scripted that the only entertainment I get out of it is laughing at how fake it is.

I Watched Summer Slam on C-band the other night and the guys "accidentally" finding folding chairs and tables and trash cans under the ring was hilarious. And then they have to destroy the broadcast booth, too. On top of that you had the 20-minute "goodbye" from John Cena.

At least boxing and MMA are real sports.

Sorry, I just don't get it! 60,000 other people paid money to see Summer Slam though, so more power to 'em I guess.

 

[Bruce]

However just spoke to a friend at WWE a few minutes ago who explained it to me. And if you have Cable or Satellite, you will be able to log in to the new ESPN service using your cable or satellite credentials at no extra cost.

That is why I wrote WWE fans who are Cord Cutters, they are the ones who will be paying about $20 more a month than the cost of Peacock.

Or extremely more if they go back to Paid Live TV.

I doubt however that I will keep Peacock, as WWE is the only thing I watch on it.

Such a awful service.

Still amazed Netflix did not get the rights.

 

[meStevo]

I was upset about it when I heard the news... I don't watch sports but do watch WWE so $30 a month would have been too much to me.

However just spoke to a friend at WWE a few minutes ago who explained it to me. And if you have Cable or Satellite, you will be able to log in to the new ESPN service using your cable or satellite credentials at no extra cost.

So if that is the case then I have no problem with it.

I doubt however that I will keep Peacock, as WWE is the only thing I watch on it.

Might not be initially available?

ESPN Unlimited:

• Available to all DirecTV streaming and "My Sports" subscribers at launch, with satellite and U-Verse customers to gain access later this fall as an upgrade at no additional cost. Those who own a DirecTV Gemini device (and subscribe to the Signature package) will also get the Disney+ and Hulu bundle at no extra cost

Details revealed on ESPN unlimited, select plans for DTC product

ESPN is expected to announce the launch date for its new direct-to-consumer product, also known as ESPN. The launch is likely before the end of August to coincide with the start of football season.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

 

[Bruce]

Might not be initially available?

ESPN Unlimited:

• Available to all DirecTV streaming and "My Sports" subscribers at launch, with satellite and U-Verse customers to gain access later this fall as an upgrade at no additional cost. Those who own a DirecTV Gemini device (and subscribe to the Signature package) will also get the Disney+ and Hulu bundle at no extra cost

Details revealed on ESPN unlimited, select plans for DTC product

ESPN is expected to announce the launch date for its new direct-to-consumer product, also known as ESPN. The launch is likely before the end of August to coincide with the start of football season.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

DirecTV is the only Paid Live TV Service that has made a deal to allow access.

So Dish and everyone else will have to do the same, which usually involves more money, maybe increased per sub fee?

 

[b4pjoe]

DirecTV is the only Paid Live TV Service that has made a deal to allow access.

So Dish and everyone else will have to do the same, which usually involves more money, maybe increased per sub fee?

Are you sure about that? It says, "All subscribers to ESPN via traditional MVPD or the ESPN unlimited plan will have access to new features and functionality on the ESPN App. There's no added cost for existing traditional MPVD subscribers."

 

[meStevo]

Are you sure about that? It says, "All subscribers to ESPN via traditional MVPD or the ESPN unlimited plan will have access to new features and functionality on the ESPN App. There's no added cost for existing traditional MPVD subscribers."

For some reason the details below that suggest it won't be available for most until the fall, could be infrastructure, could be pending deals with those providers. No idea which (or what else).

Bruce didn't say ESPN would be charging those customers for it. You both could be right.

 

[b4pjoe]

For some reason the details below that suggest it won't be available for most until the fall, could be infrastructure, could be pending deals with those providers. No idea which (or what else).

Bruce didn't say ESPN would be charging those customers for it. You both could be right.

It specifically said it would not be available until later in the fall for DIRECTV Satellite and U-Verse customers. It didn't say it would not be available until later in the fall for any other provider(s).

 

[meStevo]

It specifically said it would not be available until later in the fall for DIRECTV Satellite and U-Verse customers. It didn't say it would not be available until later in the fall for any other provider(s).

I think you're right, I was reading it in the context of that bullet point addressing all MVPD availability and can see now its really just referencing DIRECTV's offerings.

 

[Bruce]

I think you're right, I was reading it in the context of that bullet point addressing all MVPD availability and can see now its really just referencing DIRECTV's offerings.

But if it was available for Comcast, Charter, even YTTV, all of whom have more subscribers than DirecTV, you would believe the press release would reference them, available at launch for example.

 

[meStevo]

But if it was available for Comcast, Charter, even YTTV, all of whom have more subscribers than DirecTV, you would believe the press release would reference them, available at launch for example.

I don't necessarily disagree, but they covered all of them with the more general statement, and then the bullet point for DirecTV-specific availability to add context to when it'll be available there under the offering that it's applicable to. A 'available to all other MVPD subscribers' bullet point could have gone with unlimited right below the DirecTV IMO rather than name everyone who has licensed ESPN individually.

 

[b4pjoe]

But if it was available for Comcast, Charter, even YTTV, all of whom have more subscribers than DirecTV, you would believe the press release would reference them, available at launch for example.

The article states: "ESPN+ has around 25 million subscribers who will automatically become subscribers of the new ESPN at their current subscription levels. All subscribers to ESPN via traditional MVPD or the ESPN unlimited plan will have access to new features and functionality on the ESPN App. There's no added cost for existing traditional MPVD subscribers.

And then says this about DIRECTV: "Available to all DirecTV streaming and "My Sports" subscribers at launch, with satellite and U-Verse customers to gain access later this fall as an upgrade at no additional cost.

So it sounds like it will be available to everyone at launch except DIRECTV satellite and U-Verse customers.

Details revealed on ESPN unlimited, select plans for DTC product

ESPN is expected to announce the launch date for its new direct-to-consumer product, also known as ESPN. The launch is likely before the end of August to coincide with the start of football season.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com