The WWE Network, which launched in 2014 as a way to provide fans with an outlet to major company pay per view promotions at a discount price as well as promote the brand directly to its fans will come into to fold at Peacock March 18. The Streaming service will integrate the apps content for all US customers by building the service into its premium level subscription starting with the commercially supported $4.99 tier. That means that WWE fans will be able to get their content at half the price of the WWE network.
According to Variety, the WWE Network has 1.6 million current subscribers, but it is hoped that the numbers of viewers will grow on a more general platform. The price change should not hurt either. It is quite possible that by coupling the service with the more general offerings found on Peacock more people will discover the content. People who subscribe without thinking of the pro wrestling promotion may well tune in for Wrestlemania or certainly their kids might.
The WWE Network launched as a way to directly market the product to fans instead of relying on third-party promotional deals and pay per view options for its major promotional events. During broadcasts and its large events, the promotion often started a 999 chant to try and coax its TV audience to buy-in. Even at $9.99 the WWE Network was a deal for subscribers who could pay more than $50.00 for just one event. The $4.99 cost should be doubly attractive.
The move could also be seen as related to the fact that USA Network will soon become the home of the bulk of the programming that has up until now been found on the NBC Sports Network, which will be shutting down operations this year. The move means that USA Network will have more than WWE content to juggle when it comes to live events during the week. The NBC Sports Network is home to NHL Hockey and NASCAR which will be moving to USA Network.
As NBCU/Comcast plots its strategy over the next year it will be very much worth paying attention to the streaming space.
Do you think WWE Network would move to another provider in the future?
I think if the Network proves popular it will be very much in demand and see no reason why the suite of live events and archives could not travel from Peacock to something else. The current deal is in place for 5 years. I also would not rule out the idea that at some point it just becomes an independent operation again.