Peacock Gears Up To Stream WWE’s ‘Wrestlemania 39’

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Streaming service to offer live telecast of weekend-long event

WWE Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns, 2022
WWE Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns (Image credit: Samer HilabiAFP via Getty Images)

NBCUniversal-owned streaming service Peacock will offer live weekend coverage of the WWE’s marquee live event, Wrestlemania 39, as the company continues to look for a buyer.

Fox will kick off the weekend’s festivities Friday night with its weekly live Friday Night SmackDown telecast, followed immediately by the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, which will stream live on Peacock, WWE said. 

On Saturday, Peacock will stream part one of Wrestlemania 39 event live from Los Angeles, leading off with WWE superstar/actor John Cena in a match against United States Champion Austin Theory. The second night of Wrestlemania 39 will stream Sunday night on Peacock. 

Also: Vince McMahon Returns to Board of WWE, Which will Explore 'Strategic Alternatives'

Wrestlemania 39 takes place as WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon explores options to sell the franchise for approximately $9 billion, according to published reports.

The WWE’s deals with Fox for SmackDown and NBCUniversal’s USA Network for Monday Night Raw end in 2024. The WWE’s exclusive streaming deal with Peacock expires in 2026. ■ 

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.