WWE and NBCU were unable to reach an agreement on a new television deal for Raw and Smackdown. Variety received the following statement from WWE.
“While we were unable to reach an agreement with NBCU during this period, we have certainly appreciated our long and productive partnership. With year-round, live programming that is highly coveted by programmers, distributors and advertisers, we are extremely excited about our future. We look forward to engaging with potential partners who recognize the value of having the #1 show on cable and live content delivered 52 weeks a year.”
WWE is now free to negotiate with other cable television channels but NBCU still has the right to match any offers if they choose to do so. As part of their television package, WWE wants to offer Smackdown as a live show to help drive their TV rights fees up.
You can read the Variety article by clicking here.
