In a dizzying day of questions and answers regarding the availability of ESPN’s impending streaming service for existing cable & satellite subscribers, a new report out Wednesday may make some fans a bit frustrated.
This is especially pertinent for WWE fans given the news that the company’s full slate of premium live events will head to ESPN starting in April 2026 after WWE’s existing deal with Peacock ends.
Initially, it was reported by Alex Sherman of CNBC Wednesday that “cable subs will automatically get the ESPN (direct to consumer) product thru authentication.”
However, Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics reported Wednesday night that according to someone familiar with the agreement, only customers of Charter (Spectrum), DirecTV, FuboTV, Hulu Live TV, and Verizon Fios will have that luxury and that everyone else will need to pay for the service.
Thurston noted those providers account for less than half of the current pay TV homes in the United States as providers like Xfinity/Comcast, YouTube TV, Dish TV, Sling and others are not included at this time.
Dave Meltzer noted that the situation “is a work in progress” and “While that is true for this minute, many, if not most, of those listed as not getting it for free will have it for free at launch. Deals just haven’t been cut.” He also said he expects more on that front Thursday.
The service that launches later this month will start at $29.99 per month or $300 for an annual subscription.
WWE to ESPN coverage: