Fox Likely to Be Snubbed After UFC Merger as Two Multi-Billion Companies Are Reportedly Fighting It Out to Acquire TV Rights for WWE SmackDown

WWE has grown as a business over the years and so has its demands. Since the promotion cannot clear out most of its demands from the audience, they look over to other business partners for the same. With the Endeavor-WWE deal officially in effect now, the wrestling company seems to have more ambitions than ever before.

It looks like WWE is about to give a jolt to FOX network because of their UFC merger officially kicking in. While the Stamford-based company and Fox have had a respectful partnership, it appears to be coming to an end. Moreover,  two streaming giants might be on their way to enter the bidding game already.

WWE might be on the verge of switching its television partner

For a good while now, Fox had the television rights to most of WWE’s content. However, the wrestling promotion could be close to removing SmackDown from Fox’s rights because of a failed negotiation. Wrestling Observer Radio recently revealed that WWE was receiving $205 million a year from Fox, giving them the television rights. Ever since Endeavor acquired the company, they demanded to increase it to $310 Million. This has reportedly troubled SmackDown’s current home.

Reports suggest that Fox seems unwilling to pay the increased amount, hence, ultimately leading to Endeavor giving WWE’s television rights to some other network. As contenders, Fox is rumored to have Amazon and Disney Plus waiting to acquire the television rights for the sports entertainment giants. Further, Dave Meltzer in WOR further noted that another FOX-WWE development suggest FOX may be not be SmackDown’s home for long.

Meltzer said, “FOX has canceled its “Out of Character” WWE podcast.” Some see that as another sign that Smackdown will be moving from FOX at the end of the current contract. Analysts have believed that for some time, that even with the ratings the show delivers that it isn’t cost-effective, especially if WWE wants the $205 million per year deal to increase to $310 million. “

There are no advancements regarding which service has the upper hand in the game, but some have even speculated that ‘ABC’ might also become SmackDown’s future home. However, it still cannot offer what streaming giants like Amazon and Disney Plus can.

Not only Fox but NBC’s Peacock is also having trouble keeping up with their finances. Although WWE hasn’t reportedly demanded an increment in their deal with the streaming service, they are still facing severe losses.

WWE’s streaming partner facing severe losses

In 2021, Vince McMahon‘s company signed a deal with Peacock for content distribution rights within the United States. The deal is originally meant to stretch for five years, meaning it shall end sometime in 2026. However, WWE might need to search for a new partner even before that deal ends because of the losses Peacock has been facing.

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Until July, Peacock had lost around $1 billion and analysts estimated that the company could lose $3 billion by the end of 2023. So, if WWE’s US streaming partner continues facing financial issues, the deal may not be able to extend up to 2026, and ultimately Endeavor may have to sweep in and find other partners for its WWE content.

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Which service do you think will serve as the best home for SmackDown?