WWE has officially announced their television deals with the USA Network and Fox Sports.
This news was first reported a few months ago but on Tuesday afternoon the sports entertainment company made it official.
WWE’s television contract was slated to expire in 2019 with the USA Network, which led to them holding meetings with the USA Network, FOX, Disney, CBS, Amazon, and YouTube.
At the time, there was a lot of speculation that WWE could sign with Fox. The reason for the potential move would be due to UFC leaving Fox as the UFC and WWE’s TV deals expire around the same time. UFC ended up signing their next TV deal with ESPN.
It’s been reported that NBC Universal declined to agree to the deal that WWE proposed to keep SmackDown Live on the USA Network. However, the TV network wanted to keep WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night RAW, and would be willing to pay them big money in order for that to happen.
WWE noted in a press release that was issued on Tuesday that Monday Night RAW would remain on the USA Network while SmackDown Live would move to Fox and air each Friday on Fox broadcast network. Both deals are for five years.
It’s been reported that Fox is paying WWE $1 billion over the five years for the rights to SmackDown Live. The deal averages out to around $205 million annually for the broadcast rights. NBCUniversal had reportedly paid around $30 million annually for SmackDown rights back in 2010.
WWE will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on June 27 to discuss the contents of this release. The Company’s Co-Presidents, George A. Barrios and Michelle D. Wilson, will host the conference call.
