WWE Premium Live Events moves to ESPN new Streaming Service

[Bruce]

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.

Here we go-

Cable subscribers are covered.

• In addition to ESPN DTC subscribers, fans that access ESPN through a traditional pay TV provider, e.g. Comcast, DirectTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, will also have access to the new features through the enhanced ESPN App.

Both Charter/Spectrum and Dish are not named.

If I remember correctly, is not Dish one of the only providers that does not allow access to Paramount+, if a customer subscribes to Showtime on it's service?

Five Things Fans Should Know About ESPN’s New Direct-To-Consumer Offering

ESPN is giving fans more choice, more flexibility and ultimately more access to the content they love. Here are five things fans should know as we get ready to launch a new way to experience ESPN

www.espnfrontrow.com

 

[Radioguy41]

I guess their definition of "sports" as opposed to "theater" has changed. Fake is fake, not a sport. Sport implies true competition and WWE is anything but.

 

[Bruce]

And this article says something different-

But not all pay TV subscribers who already get ESPN will be able to watch WWE's PLEs on the new platform without paying extra. According to a person familiar with the agreement, only customers of the following providers will be granted access to the PLEs through the ESPN app at no additional cost:

• Charter (Spectrum)
• DirecTV
• FuboTV
• Hulu Live TV
• Verizon Fios

Customers who access ESPN through other major systems not named above—and that includes Comcast (Xfinity), YouTube TV, DISH, Sling, Altice, Cogeco, Frontier, and Cable One—will need to subscribe separately to ESPN's new streaming service to access WWE's premium events beginning in 2026.

Only some pay TV carriers' customers will automatically get WWE PLEs on ESPN's new streaming platform - Wrestlenomics

Charter, DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Verizon? Yes. Others? No.

wrestlenomics.com

 

[comfortably_numb]

Fake is fake, not a sport. Sport implies true competition and WWE is anything but.

I'm beginning to wonder if there are people who actually think it's real?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I'm beginning to wonder if there are people who actually think it's real?

Watch UnReal on Netflix.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

And this article says something different-

But not all pay TV subscribers who already get ESPN will be able to watch WWE's PLEs on the new platform without paying extra. According to a person familiar with the agreement, only customers of the following providers will be granted access to the PLEs through the ESPN app at no additional cost:

• Charter (Spectrum)
• DirecTV
• FuboTV
• Hulu Live TV
• Verizon Fios

Customers who access ESPN through other major systems not named above—and that includes Comcast (Xfinity), YouTube TV, DISH, Sling, Altice, Cogeco, Frontier, and Cable One—will need to subscribe separately to ESPN's new streaming service to access WWE's premium events beginning in 2026.

Only some pay TV carriers' customers will automatically get WWE PLEs on ESPN's new streaming platform - Wrestlenomics

Charter, DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Verizon? Yes. Others? No.

wrestlenomics.com

I have talked to people at WWE and DISH and this does not appear to be the case. I would say look for upcoming announcements for more details.

 

[zippyfrog]

I have talked to people at WWE and DISH and this does not appear to be the case. I would say look for upcoming announcements for more details.

I agree with you - with the deal not starting until 2026, other providers have opportunities to renew contracts that would include it. Doesn't Dish's contract with ESPN/Disney expire this fall? If it does, then my guess is that the new contract with ESPN/Disney would include it.

 

[savarese04]

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.

It used to be actually entertaining and had a lot more action. Now it's sooo much talking by people with zero stage presence or microphone skills, along with terrible promos. And the wrestling itself is so predictable, with the PPV event matches taking 45 minutes sometimes. Not even getting into the fact that it's all just extreme risk taking and not even that technically sound anymore. (yes, there is actual skill involved and the reason it looks so fake is that the skills are so bad that it's hard to "sell" the action). People today watch out of nostalgia for the 80s and 90s to be honest.

I guess their definition of "sports" as opposed to "theater" has changed. Fake is fake, not a sport. Sport implies true competition and WWE is anything but.

I mean... it is right in the name: Entertainment Sports Programming Network

 

[comfortably_numb]

Watch UnReal on Netflix.

I watched the first episode tonight. To me it felt like a promo for the show. The series about Vince McMahon was much more of a documentary IMO.

 

[Bruce]

Looks like the WWE is moving to ESPN a little earlier-

ESPN Will Get WWE Rights Starting in September Months Earlier Than Expected | Cord Cutters News

ESPN is accelerating its takeover of WWE’s premium live events (PLEs) from 2026 to September 20, 2025, kicking off with a brand-new event, Wrestlepalooza, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The announcement, strategically timed for Thursday, August 21, coincides with the launch of ESPN’s...

cordcuttersnews.com

 

[Bruce]

more info-

Saturday Night's Main Event shows will no longer air on NBC, but only on Peacock for the remainder of the contract which ends in October of 2029.

The NXT PLE shows will remain on Peacock through March.

The WWE archives will only remain until the end of the year, and are expected to end up as part of the new ESPN app at that

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I see a lot of people using VPN's soon. All other countries but the USA get EVERYTHING on Netflix, yet to watch all the WWE Stuff in the USA they are now required to subscribe to 4 separate services.

They announced last night that Saturday Nights Main Event will be moving from NBC to Peacock, and to Netflix for everyone else.

I think they are alienating a lot of their fans. I don't think is a smart move.

 

[Bruce]

I see a lot of people using VPN's soon. All other countries but the USA get EVERYTHING on Netflix, yet to watch all the WWE Stuff in the USA they are now required to subscribe to 4 separate services.

They announced last night that Saturday Nights Main Event will be moving from NBC to Peacock, and to Netflix for everyone else.

I think they are alienating a lot of their fans. I don't think is a smart move.

Dish, YTTV, etc needs to make a deal with Disney for access, or those WWE fans with Paid Live Paid TV, will be paying twice for ESPN.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

will be paying twice for ESPN.

Or be using a VPN.

 

[satjay]

I see a lot of people using VPN's soon. All other countries but the USA get EVERYTHING on Netflix, yet to watch all the WWE Stuff in the USA they are now required to subscribe to 4 separate services.

They announced last night that Saturday Nights Main Event will be moving from NBC to Peacock, and to Netflix for everyone else.

I think they are alienating a lot of their fans. I don't think is a smart move.

So as it stands today, If I am taking in all the information right. If I wanted to catch a WWE PLE next month as a Dish Customer I would have to subscribe to the new ESPN service ?

 

[Bruce]

So as it stands today, If I am taking in all the information right. If I wanted to catch a WWE PLE next month as a Dish Customer I would have to subscribe to the new ESPN service ?

Yes.

Do I expect Dish to make a deal, also yes.

But, not until the contract is due/up, rumors are Disney/ESPN wants a increase in the per sub fee, so to allow access, Dish seems to be allergic to those types of increases.