WWE’s Exclusive TV Rights Talks Window with NBC & FOX Closed, Interest from Amazon, Disney, & Others

WWE’s exclusivity window for new television contracts talks with FOX and NBC Universal reportedly recently officially closed and they are currently free to enter talks with other networks and companies, according to the New York Post.

Andrew Marchand reported that his sources stated that FOX and NBC currently remain as the favorites to secure new television contracts with WWE for their RAW and SmackDown brands.

Besides FOX and NBC, Marchand reported that Amazon and Disney have also shown interest in a potential television deal with WWE.

In regards to Disney, Marchand reported that this would likely not be for ESPN but instead for FX due to the pre-determined nature of WWE’s shows and ESPN being unable to promise that RAW would stay on Mondays due to the network’s current sports commitments.

In regards to Amazon, Marchand reported that this would be for Amazon Prime Video as part of Amazon’s current efforts at securing more live sports and programming for their streaming service.

Marchand also reported that Apple and Warner Brod Discovery are also believed to be interested but he speculates that they would be “dark horse candidates” in terms of their chances at securing a television deal. In regards to WBD’s current television deal and partnership with AEW, Marchand reported that those spoken to stated that “one nugget I was told that may interest wrestling fans is that Warner Bros. Discovery does not have to stay exclusive to AEW. It would be something if it got in on WWE. But I don’t see it yet.”

WWE’s current television contracts with FOX and NBC are set to expire on October of 2024 and are currently worth a combined amount of $470 million per year for RAW and SmackDown.