NXT’s PLEs, fka PPVs, head to The CW, fka The WB; MORE ABBREVIATIONS AND ALL-CAPS TK (“COMING” IN JOURNALISM).
WWE and The CW announced this morning that NXT’s signature live events will now air exclusively on The CW, which already has WWE’s weekly minor league show every Tuesday. CW was in first place for PLEs.
Starting from The Great American Bash This summer, the multi-year deal will mark the first time NXT’s PLE shows, previously referred to as pay-per-view due to their one-time rental revenue model, will be broadcast on broadcast television. Under the terms of the deal, The CW will exclusively acquire 20 of the direct PLEs on both coasts “over the next several years,” the press release said; It will also include events Stand up and deliver, Delivery timeand Day of revenge. WWE NXT It airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW, and is now the exclusive home of the developmental league.
Prior to today’s announcement, NXT PLE shows were owned by Peacock, which requires a subscription. After that deal expired last month, a one-time event was broadcast for free on NXT’s YouTube channel.
“WWE NXT has energized Tuesday nights by bringing a loyal and passionate fan base to The CW every week,” CW President Brad Schwartz said in a statement. “Adding WWE NXT Premium Live events to our schedule is a natural fit, providing a single streaming destination for fans to watch all of their favorite Superstars, storylines and championship matches.”
The Schwartz Network entered into a five-year deal with WWE in October 2024 to bring NXT to broadcast television for the first time in the show’s history. WWE NXT It performs disproportionately well on the low-rated air channel.
“The CW has been instrumental in elevating our rising stars, and we’re excited to bring NXT Premium Live Events to broadcast television for the first time ever,” said Shawn Michaels, WWE Senior Vice President of Creative Talent Development (and important in WWE, imo, to keep it on topic here).
The current NXT Champion is Toni D’Angelo and the NXT Women’s Champion is Lola Vice. NXT launched the careers of many of the biggest stars on today’s main rosters, including Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Aoba Femi, Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, Liv Morgan and just about everyone else under 40 in WWE.
CW is ostensibly free for anyone who wants to throw an antenna on their roof. Honestly, you may not even need to go up there anymore. (Technology, princely?)
Not too long ago, Peacock had all of WWE’s content, and it was a great deal for fans. These days, ESPN offers WWE’s PLE shows in the US, and Netflix also offers them overseas. Netflix also carries major series Monday Night Raw; WWE smack downa Friday series, shown on USA Network.
