Sony renews WWE rights in India for 5 years

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has signed five-year extension deal with WWE with expanded broadcast agreement. The new deal will include WWE’s weekly flagship programming and localised content in India and the subcontinent.

As part of the deal, SPN will have the rights to air RAW, SmackDown, NXT, as well as WWE pay-per-view specials, live on its sports and digital platforms in English, Hindi and regional languages.

“WWE has been consistently ranking in the top three properties across all sports networks in India, dominating the sports entertainment space. We are delighted to extend our partnership with WWE in a first of its kind deal that will give us increased exposure to valuable content and reach out to a broader viewer base across India on multiple platforms,” said Rajesh Kaul, head of sports and chief revenue officer - distribution at SPN.

The expanded partnership will also provide SPN the rights to WWE Network, which hosts thousands of hours of content to be made available to audiences in India exclusively through SonyLIV, SPN’s video streaming service. In addition and for the first time, SPN will curate content from WWE’s video library, which includes live events, iconic matches, interviews with legends, reality shows, documentaries and more, on its own platforms.

“India is a strategically important market for WWE and SPN has been an extraordinary partner in helping to grow our fanbase in the region,” said James Rosenstock, EVP – International at WWE. “The expanded partnership gives our passionate fans new opportunities to engage with the WWE brand.”

WWE is one of the most-watched sports properties in India, and India ranks number one for WWE’s YouTube consumption. In addition, WWE has been actively recruiting elite athletes and performers from the country. Last year, WWE hosted its largest tryout in history, where more than 70 athletes from India showcased their abilities in Mumbai. Four Indian recruits were selected to begin training at the WWE performance centre in Orlando, Florida, in US.