WWE Network: UK Launch Delayed Until Further Notice

Has Sky forced WWE's hand at the last minute?

The launch of the WWE Network in the UK was halted just minutes prior to the widely anticipated release. It had been expected that UK residents would be able to finally sign-up for the WWE Network at 8pm this evening, only for the official @WWENetwork Twitter account to reveal things had been delayed "until further notice". https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/529357174158675969 The WWE.com website has also been updated, but no other details have been made available at the time of writing. Earlier in the day, users in the UK who had previously signed up to the Network - via a proxy browsing service - were able to access the service directly, but at no point were new users in the UK able to register. It was only in January of this year that Sky, the UK's long-standing WWE broadcast partner, signed a new five-year deal with the corporation. Sky broadcast pay-per-views for £14.95, a figure far in excess of the £6.25 UK fans were hoping to pay via the WWE Network upon its launch. Given the potential cost to Sky - and their existing contract with WWE - it seems feasible that they may have sought an interim injunction to protect themselves from the undoubted losses that the Network would cause them. An injunction that is put in place at short notice, as seems likely here, will generally see a follow up hearing within days.
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Co-founder of WhatCulture.com.