ESPN is accelerating its media push as it and Fox prepare to launch complementary streaming apps, and the deal positions ESPN to take over WWE’s premium live events (PLEs) from Peacock starting September 20, 2025. The first event under the new arrangement will be Wrestlepalooza, set to stream on the ESPN app.
WWE announced the move in Indianapolis, the host city of WrestleMania’s debut in the WWE calendar, where WWE personnel were on hand to unveil the news on Thursday—the same day ESPN’s direct-to-consumer app goes live. Peacock will still stream WWE content through August 31, 2025, with its final PLE, Clash in Paris, airing from France. WWE and Peacock brokered the exit arrangement before it was presented to ESPN, which is owned by Disney. WWE spokespersons and insiders characterized the shift as part of a broader strategy to split WWE’s major PLEs between ESPN and Peacock, with WrestleMania and SummerSlam being delivered as two-night events, potentially satisfying Peacock’s earlier PLE tally.
For the 2025 calendar, Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis will be streamed live on the ESPN app starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. Wrestlemania and SummerSlam will continue to be major tentpoles, but each will be presented in two-night formats beginning this year. Crown Jewel on Saturday, October 11, and Survivor Series on Saturday, November 29, are also moving to ESPN, not Peacock, under the new agreement. Meanwhile, WWE’s weekly shows Raw and SmackDown have historically aired on different platforms—Raw on Netflix and SmackDown on USA Network—with SmackDown episodes also available on Peacock the following day; NXT remains on Peacock.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE’s chief content officer, framed the transition as a collaborative moment: “On September 20, WWE and ESPN are coming together for a can’t-miss event to kick off our new partnership. The biggest Superstars in WWE. The biggest brand in sports media. Are you ready?” The deal also reflects ESPN’s broader multi-year strategy to build a robust direct-to-consumer footprint, which will be enhanced by a new Disney/Fox bundle strategy.
In parallel with the rights shift, ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer app is scheduled to launch on August 21, 2025, at a price of $29.99 per month, granting access to ESPN’s live channels and programming. Beginning October 2, fans will have the option to bundle ESPN with Fox One for $39.99 per month, while the Fox One standalone option sits at $20 per month. The new setup mirrors ESPN and Fox’s push to offer more integrated, high-demand sports and entertainment content through a unified streaming experience.
In context, the 2025 Royal Rumble—held earlier in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium—set attendance records for the event, underscoring the appetite for WWE content across traditional and streaming platforms. The shift of key PLEs to ESPN’s platform, along with the continued presence of WWE programming on Peacock for a transitional period, signals an aggressive pivot in where fans can access major WWE events and how streaming partners position themselves in a competitive sports-media landscape.
What this means for fans and the market
– WWE is consolidating its premium events onto ESPN’s distribution, with a planned two-night format for WrestleMania and SummerSlam to align with ESPN and Fox’s streaming strategy.
– Peacock will wind down live PLE coverage this year but may maintain certain WWE programming, including NXT, beyond the initial transition.
– ESPN’s entry into WWE content, paired with Fox’s forthcoming streaming app, points to a broader Disney/Fox strategy to lure sports and entertainment audiences into a unified streaming ecosystem.
– The pricing structure suggests a push toward bundled, value-focused subscriptions that can bundle sports, news, and entertainment across two big brands.
Summary
A new era for WWE viewing begins in September 2025 as ESPN takes over premier live events from Peacock, with Wrestlepalooza launching the changeover. The broader ESPN/Fox streaming push will unfold alongside WWE’s two-night major events and an expanded streaming strategy that ties together live sports and entertainment content.
Outlook and reader takeaways
– Fans should anticipate a shift in where and how major WWE PLEs are streamed, along with changes to library access as WWE’s content moves between Peacock and ESPN platforms.
– The bundling approach offers value for viewers who want seamless access to ESPN and Fox programming, though prices will be a consideration for many subscribers.
– The collaboration underscores a trend toward consolidated streaming ecosystems for sports-heavy content, potentially influencing other leagues and studios to pursue similar partnerships.
Additional notes and commentary
– The next several months will be pivotal as WWE and both platforms finalize library moves, schedules, and any remaining rights details for post-2025 content.
– For fans who prefer single-ecosystem access, the ESPN/Fox bundling option could simplify the experience, but it will be important to monitor how WWE’s on-demand libraries and archival content are handled across the two services.
If you’re covering this for a live blog or feature, consider adding:
– A schedule checklist highlighting all WWE PLEs moving to ESPN, including dates for Wrestlepalooza, Crown Jewel, and Survivor Series.
– A quick explainer graphic showing how the two-night formats for WrestleMania and SummerSlam will be distributed.
– A comparison piece on how the ESPN/Fox bundle pricing stacks up against competing streaming options for sports fans.