8 Big Questions About HUGE NBC Peacock/WWE Network Deal
7. Will SmackDown Remain On Fox After This Current Deal?
Fox executives have kept tight-lipped about SmackDown's performance since it debuted on the Network in late-2019, and though the pandemic might have bought WWE some ratings wriggle-room during its first full year, the numbers aren't exactly sensational. Not $1billion sensational anyway.
It's that same figure that WWE will trouser for this Peacock deal, and those within NBCU could look to secure the rights to the blue brand if Fox balk at it when this existing deal comes to an end.
With Raw and NXT both currently housed on the NBC-owned USA Network, SmackDown's move to the Murdoch territory broke a synergy that had lasted since the debut of SmackDown Live in 2016. Never have rights fees looked so far away from a renewal than when Fox parted with ten figures, but WWE might have just greased the wheels for a future agreement anyway.
Even when they can't sell content - and they've done an amazing job of that over the last decade - they can sell convenience.