Peacock will step into the wrestling ring this weekend to offer exclusive coverage of the WWE’s live flagship event, WrestleMania XL.

The live, two-night event launches April 6, and will feature many of the WWE’s marquee superstars, including veteran grappler and actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson — who will compete in the squared ring for the first time in eight years —along with Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, according to the WWE.   

Peacock has exclusively live streamed each WrestleMania since 2021 when it secured rights to content from the now defunct WWE Network. That deal expires in 2026. 

The WWE, which in 2023 was acquired by Endeavor Group Holdings and merged with the UFC mixed-martial arts franchise under Endeavor's TKO Group Holdings company, recently secured long-term distribution deals for several of its other television properties. 

This past September, USA Network signed a five-year deal to air the WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown series beginning this October, while last November The CW secured distribution rights to the WWE’s NXT weekly series. 

Also, Netflix will exclusively stream the WWE’s long-running Monday Night Raw weekly series in 2025 as part of a 10-year, $5 billion deal with TKO Group Holdings reached this past January. 

After competing against each other this past spring, the XFL and the USFL will combine to create one spring football league that hopes to take the field in 2024. 

The USFL and XFL announced Thursday their intent on merging, subject to customary regulatory approvals. "This historic combination will anchor professional spring football with the substantial capabilities and resources to ensure future growth and continue to enhance the development of the collective players, coaches, and staff that are coming together," the entities said in a joint statement. 

The eight-team XFL league, owned actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Danny Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners, launched its inaugural season this Spring, while the the eight-team USFL -- owned by Fox Corp. --  completed its second season this past May. 

Details regarding the new league -- including when it will begin play, and who will televise the games -- will be announced at a later date. Fox and NBC held the television rights to USFL games, while ABC, ESPN and FX aired XFL games.

The combined league will look to solidify what to date has been a spotty history of spring football in the U.S. The USFL re-launched in 2022 after a previous iteration of the league failed three decades earlier. The XFL initially launched in 2001 as a collaboration between the WWE and NBC before shutting down after one season. The WWE's Vince McMahon resurrected the league in 2020 but shut down operations in the middle of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pro football fans will get to watch a second spring football league in 2023 as the upstart XFL league Tuesday reached a multiyear distribution deal with the Walt Disney Co. and ESPN to air all of the league’s regular-season and playoff contests.

The XFL, owned by a group led by actor Dwayne Johnson, will launch February 18, 2023 and will air all of its regular season games on ABC, ESPN, and FX, the parties announced during Disney’s upfront presentation Tuesday. The agreement also includes exclusive content rights across ESPN’s digital, social and direct-to-consumer outlets such as ESPN Plus. 

“The XFL will tap into sports fans’ deep love of football by emphasizing competitive action while dedicating itself to innovation and entertainment,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, ESPN and Sports Content in a statement. “You can see a great path to success when you combine the reach and influence of ESPN and Disney with the collective vision of XFL leadership led by Dany, Dwayne and Gerry.”

Also: Stars Shine Bright at Disney Upfront

Johnson, along with business partner and wife Danny Garcia and RedBird Capital, led by founder and managing partner Gerry Cardinale, purchased the league in August 2020 from World Wrestling Entertainment chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. 

The XFL initially launched in 2001 as a collaboration between the WWE and NBC but was shut down after one season. McMahon resurrected the league in 2020 but ceased operations in the middle of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal comes as competing Fox Sports-controlled spring football league the USFL continues its inaugural season with games airing on Fox and NBC.

Johnson said the Disney-XFL deal is a “definitive moment” for the league. “We’re excited to be working with global visionaries that are aligned with the XFL’s values, are true team players and share our ambitious goals to grow the XFL as a global sports and entertainment business,“ he said. ”Through the combined power of Disney and the XFL, together we will create a new powerhouse on the sports calendar and bring a dynamic game of football to fans everywhere. Time to ball out.” ■ 

Season two of Dwayne Johnson comedy Young Rock premieres on NBC March 15. The series, based on Johnson’s upbringing, premiered in February 2021. Nahnatchka Khan and Jeff Chiang created the show. 

“As Dwayne and his loving, resilient family face new challenges and meet new wild characters of professional wrestling, Dwayne contemplates embracing the grind of professional wrestling himself,” goes the NBC description. “The show will explore the crazy rollercoaster that has shaped Dwayne into the man he is today and the larger-than-life people he’s met along the way.”

Johnson is in the cast with Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Ana Tuisila, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant and Uli Latukefu. Known from his wrestling days as the Rock, Johnson’s TV work includes HBO‘s Ballers and his films include Hercules and the Fast & Furious and Jumanji franchises. 

“My life has been one helluva ride. Grateful to share the lessons I’ve learned with you and your families,” Johnson said on Twitter. 

Khan, Chiang, Johnson, Dany Garcia, Jennifer Carreras, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Jeffrey Walker are executive producers.

Young Rock is produced by Universal Television, Seven Bucks Productions and Fierce Baby Productions. ■ 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson narrates a film that’s part of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on NBC. The film is called I Dare You and it tells the story of how young athletes dare to pursue high-stakes Olympic events. Johnson narrates the film. 

Opening Ceremony live coverage begins at 6:30 a.m. ET February 4 on NBC and Peacock. The ceremony will later run in prime on NBC and Peacock, starting at 8 p.m., as will I Dare You. 

“Our athletes representing Team USA at this year’s Winter Olympics are some of the most talented and determined men and women in the world,” said Johnson. “They have dedicated their lives to their sport, pushing through injuries and personal setbacks, training through the toughest of conditions, to rise up and join the elite who have the opportunity to represent their country in the most iconic competition in the world. It’s my honor to once again be asked to participate in the presentation of the Opening Ceremony. And on behalf of our country, I will proudly introduce our U.S. Olympians to the world as they take that first step of defining their legacy.”

Olympic competition began February 2 with women’s hockey and mixed doubles curling. February 3 sees the U.S. women’s hockey team against Finland at 8:10 a.m. on USA Network and Peacock. There’s also figure skating, curling and men’s and women’s moguls skiing. 

Besides the Opening Ceremony, February 4 offers curling, figure skating, snowboarding, hockey and alpine skiing. 

The closing ceremony happens February 20. ■

The XFL said it has started talks with the Canadian Football League about a possible collaboration, a move that will delay its previously planned spring 2022 launch. 

The XFL wouldn't say what it is talking to the CFL about, except that it is working with the league to “identify opportunities for the leagues to collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football.”

While neither side mentioned a merger, the XFL said in a tweet that its 2020 season is “on hold pending the outcome” of its talks with the CFL.  Some reports said that meant the league would restart plans for the season once talks left the preliminary stage.

The XFL emerged from bankruptcy last year after it was purchased by former wrestler and current movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, his ex-wife Dany Garcia and Red Bird Capital, an investment fund headed by former Goldman Sachs banker Gerry Cardinale for about $15 million.   

“Since we first acquired the XFL, we have focused on identifying partners who share our vision and values on and off the field,” Garcia, the XFL chairwoman as well as part owner, said in a press release. “A vision filled with opportunity, innovation and the highest level of entertainment value for the benefit of our athletes, fans and communities. The CFL has expressed that similar sentiment and jointly we recognize a great opportunity to build exciting innovative football experiences that make the most of each league's unique strengths. I look forward to our continued discussions and we will update the sports community as we have more to share.” 

The XFL, created by WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, has a storied history. While the earlier version of the league crashed and burned after one season in 2001 amid low ratings and a string of bad luck, the latest iteration was supposed to be more serious, fast-paced, fan-centric and family-friendly. But the league was hit hard by the pandemic, ending its 10-game regular season in March 2020 with five games left to play.   In early April, it laid off most of its workforce and suspended operations. 

The Rock and his team stepped in in August, promising to create “something special for the players, fans, and everyone involved for the love of football.”

The CFL too was broadsided by the pandemic, canceling its 2020 season after the Canadian government rejected its request for a $30 million loan last year. The league has announced its 2021 schedule, but there are questions as to whether the ongoing pandemic will affect attendance at games, its primary source of revenue. 

“Canada has an exciting game and devoted fans, and our discussion with the XFL provides a tremendous opportunity to build on that strong foundation,” CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a press release. “We look forward to exploring how we might work with one of the most innovative sports brands in the world to grow the game, engage fans in new ways, and reach new audiences. We look forward to seeing what possibilities our discussions might uncover, and to sharing those with our fans as the process unfolds.”

Young Rock, a comedy about Dwayne Johnson’s early life, starts on NBC Feb. 16. It leads into the series premiere of Kenan Thompson comedy Kenan. 

Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu, Ana Tuisila, Fasitua Amosa and John Tui are in Young Rock. “From growing up in a strong and resilient family, to being surrounded by the wild characters of his professional wrestling family, to playing football at the University of Miami, the show will explore the crazy rollercoaster that has shaped Dwayne into the man he is today and the larger-than-life characters he’s met along the way,” said NBC. 

Johnson was known as The Rock in his wrestling days. 

Also Read: NBC Orders Two Comedies and a Drama

Nahnatchka Khan, Dwayne Johnson, Jeff Chiang, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Jennifer Carreras are executive producers.

Young Rock is produced by Universal Television, Seven Bucks Productions and Fierce Baby Productions.

Kenan is about the recently widowed host of Atlanta’s No. 2 morning show, struggling to balance his job and his young daughters, and the “help” he gets from his father-in-law and his brother/manager. 

Thompson, Chris Redd, Kimrie Lewis, Dani Lane, Dannah Lane and Don Johnson star.

Lorne Michaels, David Caspe, Jackie Clarke, Kenan Thompson, Ken Whittingham and Andrew Singer are executive producers. 

Kenan is produced by Universal Television, in association with Broadway Video.

Following its sixth episode of the season Feb. 9, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist will go on hiatus and return in the spring.

A group led by former WWE Superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has agreed to buy Vince McMahon’s XFL for $15 million.

According to Sportico, Johnson and RedBird Capital will split the alternative football league, which looked to revive itself this year but was crushed by the coronavirus.

The XFL filed for bankruptcy in April and was put up for sale. An auction was expected to begin on Monday.

In the bankruptcy filing, Alpha Entertainment listed assets of $10 million to $50 million and liabilities in the same range.

Started by McMahon with NBC, The XFL played one season in 2001. 

McMahon announced plans to revive the league in 2018 and it started play earlier this year. The XFL drew more than 3 million viewers in its first week. The audience was about half that number in its fifth and final week before the shutdown.

NBC will air special Global Goal: Unite for Our Future -- The Concert June 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Dwyane Johnson hosts the event, which will highlight the “disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on marginalized communities, including people of color, those living in extreme poverty and others facing discrimination,” said NBC. 

Performers include Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Usher, Shakira, Chloe x Halle, Christine and the Queens and Jennifer Hudson. 

Also making appearances are Charlize Theron, Chris Rock, David Beckham, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Jackman, Kerry Washington and Billy Porter. 

Related: Roku, NBC, MTV, YouTube to Air Global Citizen Concert

“Global Citizens around the world are calling for systemic change, change that brings about justice for everyone, everywhere, regardless of where they were born or the color of their skin. If we are to end COVID-19 for all, we need our world leaders to commit the billions of dollars needed to equitably deliver testing, treatments and vaccines,” said Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO, Global Citizen. “Global Goal: Unite For Our Future — The Concert will bring the centuries-old concept of music as a motivator for change and unity, together with science and data, to honor the problem solvers – including doctors, scientists, lab workers, essential workers and human rights advocates – who are racing to not only create the cure for COVID-19, but also to ensure that it’s available for everyone who needs it.”

The Global Goal: Unite for Our Future campaign was launched last month under the patronage of European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. 

The event will air on broadcasters across the globe, and be streamed as well. It will be produced by Hamish Hamilton and Done + Dusted.

HBO has greenlit new seasons for its original series Ballers and Insecure, the network said Thursday.

The sports-themed Ballers, which stars Dwayne Johnson and explores the glamorous and often cutthroat world of pro football through a group of past and present players striving to stay in the game, will return for its fifth season, according to the network. 

Insecure -- which stars Emmy-nominated actress Issa Rae and chronicles the friendship of two black women as they deal with their own real-life flaws while attempting to navigate different worlds -- will come back for a fourth season, according to HBO.

Ballers, created by Stephen Levinson, is executive produced by Johnson, Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg, Dany Garcia, Peter Berg, Rob Weiss, Denis Biggs, Karyn McCarthy and Julian Farino. 

Insecure is produced and created by Rae, with Prentice Penny, Melina Matsouksa, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky, Jonathan Berry, Jim Kleverweis and Dayna Lynne North serving as executive producers. 

HBO has given the greenlight to a second season of its sport-themed series Ballers, the network said Friday.

The series, which stars Dwayne Johnson and follows the lives of former and current football players, drew 8.9 million viewers across HBO's branded platforms in its June 21 debut episode. The mark is the most watched first episode of a half-hour series on HBO since 2009, according to network officials.

"The charismatic and hugely talented Dwayne Johnson, along with the rest of the Ballers cast, has truly struck a chord with the HBO audience," according to Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. "We are thrilled with the overwhelming response the series has received and look forward to another exciting season."

TNT will begin offering a full episode of its new series Wake Up Call, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, on Thanksgiving through video on demand and digital outlets.

Viewers will be able to watch the sneak peek episode through the Watch TNT app and  www.tntdrama.comstarting Thanksgiving Day.The episode also will be made available via TNT on Demand in the days ahead. The sneak peek episode will be accessible until Friday, Dec. 12  at 9 p.m., when Wake Up Call makes its linear bow on TNT, and fans can watch an all-new episode.

Johnson will be helping those in need out of difficult family and personal situations, reminding each about they can accomplish through hard work.

Produced by Electus, 5x5 Media and 7 Bucks Entertainment, executive producers include, Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Corie Henson and Jimmy Fox of Electus. Others are Craig Armstrong, Rick Ringbakk and Charles Wachter of 5x5 Media; and Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia of 7 Bucks Entertainment.

Special guests mentors to appear include UFC president Dana White, chef Rocco DiSpirito, celebrity stylist and host Jeannie Mai, and rapper/producer Juicy J.