Felix Upton on May 15, 2023
WWE tried to work out a deal with FOX and NBCU first before talking to any other potential partners for their television shows, but it seems that they weren’t able to close a deal in time. Both FOX and NBC Universal had about a month to talk to WWE on their own, but both networks left WWE out of their upfront presentations today.
WWE very well could end up on a new television home. Streaming platforms are also apparently on the table along with any other prospective buyer now, because NBCU and FOX’s window to exclusively talk to WWE.
PW Insider reports that NBCU and FOX were unable to secure a deal with WWE in the exclusive window. That is why they neglected to include WWE in their upfront presentations.
WWE’s exclusive window to negotiate future media rights with FOX and NBC have either expired or are about to, PWInsiderElite.com has learned. WWE CEO Nick Khan noted during the most recent stockholders call that those outlets had about a month of exclusive negotiating rights and the belief within the company is they are about to or have already hit the point where WWE can open discussions with all potential media rights bidders for Raw, Smackdown, etc. in the United States.
WWE could very well end up on a new television home. We will have to see how things turn out, because WWE will certainly find somewhere to air RAW and SmackDown every week.
The company also has an all hands on deck meeting scheduled for this week. Only time will tell what kind of news WWE has to deliver their employees.
As with every other story in the pro wrestling world, keep checking back with Ringside News for the latest updates.
What’s your take on this television situation with RAW and SmackDown? Who will lock down the deals? Sound off in the comments!
May 15, 2023 5:53 pm
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