TKO CEO Mark Shapiro Discusses WWE’s Streaming Future

Mark Shapiro, the CEO of TKO, recently shared some insights on the future of WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) in the streaming world. Currently, all WWE Premium Live Events are available for streaming on Peacock, but this deal is set to expire in 2026. Shapiro believes that once this deal ends, there will be a lot of interest from various platforms looking to acquire this content.

According to Shapiro, PLEs have been drawing significant audiences, thanks to excellent marketing efforts. He even went on to say that PLEs might attract even more suitors than UFC, which is quite a bold statement. The appeal of PLEs lies in their high quality and premium nature, with events taking place once a month around the world. This frequency makes them very attractive to platforms seeking both quality and quantity content.

Shapiro mentioned that discussions will begin with Peacock in the first half of next year, but they are open to talking to other potential suitors as well. The unique combination of high premium content with a lower frequency makes PLEs a valuable asset in the streaming landscape.

In addition to this, WWE Raw is set to make a move to Netflix in January 2025, indicating a shift in streaming platforms for WWE content. Shapiro also hinted at the possibility of PLEs expanding to two-night events in the future, offering even more opportunities for engaging and immersive wrestling content.