Could Disney Purchase The WWE TV Rights?
With the WWE’s television rights up for grabs in 2024, media companies around the world are exploring the option of adding professional wrestling to their roster.
Currently the WWE airs “Smackdown” on Fox and “Monday Night Raw” on USA Network (which is owned by Comcast), but the organization may be looking to make a change.
In fact, the WWE’s exclusive negotiation windows with both FOX and Comcast have expired, giving the organization more flexibility when planning out their future.
While the New York Posts notes that Amazon Prime, Apple and Warner Bros. Discovery are all expected to be contenders to strike a TV deal with the WWE, another possible suitor has emerged- Disney.
Could Disney Be An Option?
Interestingly, according to reports, a potential Disney deal could find the WWE not on ESPN, but rather on FX.
With the WWE reportedly looking to make Raw’s third hour a more “adult” show, FX would be an ideal home.
Although a move to FX might make sense, it is unclear whether or not Disney would be able, or willing, to pay the kind of price that WWE is looking for.
WWE Looks To Cash In
WWE CEO Nick Khan has already said that he expects a 150% bump from its new TV deal. Currently, the organization brings in more than $450 million per year from TV deals.
That is a hefty price for a company who has recently gone through widespread layoffs in order to lower its debt load. Additionally, the company will have to re-up its NBA TV deal shortly.
In the world of content though, anything is possible. So, Disney could be the new home of the WWE, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
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