Wednesday mornings have been shaken up by the news that WWE’s Premium Live Events will leave Peacock in 2026 and move to ESPN’s new Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) service. This shift raises questions about the future of WWE’s extensive archive footage currently available on Peacock. Fightful Select has shared some insight into this matter.
Regarding the WWE archives, an ESPN spokesperson did not provide a clear answer. However, it was noted that WWE has ongoing deals with Google due to its relationship with YouTube and that there could be more impressive uses of the WWE Vault YouTube channel. This Vault channel features classic matches and rare footage, such as the recent “The Story of the Undertaker | Rise of the Phenom (1995-97),” part of his WWE Hall of Fame career series. Additionally, WWE’s main YouTube channel has 110 million subscribers, and the Vault channel, with 2.66 million subscribers, is expected to grow. WWE also launched a new YouTube channel in November 2024 dedicated to WCW content.
Focusing on the ESPN deal, the price point stands out; while Peacock subscribers pay about $10.99 per month, ESPN’s service will charge $29.99 monthly. However, traditional TV subscribers accessing ESPN via cable or satellite can log into the ESPN app without paying this extra fee, gaining full access to WWE content. ESPN is reportedly paying $325 million annually for WWE rights over five years—a significant increase compared to the $180 million per year Peacock paid. This marks a notable shift in how the pro wrestling industry handles content distribution.
Fan Take: This move to ESPN’s platform could drastically change how WWE fans experience live events and archives, potentially making premium content more expensive but also more widely accessible through traditional TV packages. It underscores the evolving landscape of sports entertainment streaming and could reshape fan engagement with WWE’s historic and current programming.
