WWE is looking for broadcasters in the United Kingdom to televise free-to-air highlights packages on TV.
WWE programming in the UK is restricted behind a paywall, as the content is only available on Sky Sports. There are no legal free alternatives, and because of the time zone difference, SmackDown and Raw air live early in the morning. Furthermore, no highlights are broadcasted later in the day or night. (As pointed by our reader in the comments, the shows are replayed later in the night, but no highlights are broadcasted, I had erroneously reported that no replays are aired)
In a new move by the company, the way UK watches WWE could all potentially change for the first time in 20 years.
The rights will start from 2020. The end date of the deal has not been defined yet, per a report by SportBusiness Media.
This comes after WWE looking to end their partnership with Sky Sports after three decades. The company has signed a multi-year deal with another pay-television channel group BT Sport to air their weekly programs, starting 2020.
