Fightful Select has posted an update on the status of the WWE video library, which is set to expire with Peacock at the end of this month.
The main question is where will the video library end up? There had been some speculation that with WWE PLE’s now ESPN, belief was WWE could strike up a deal with Disney to move the library to the ESPN.
Fightful Select notes that per various sources, the belief is WWE will slowly continue posting footage across their YouTube channels (i.e. WWE Vault, WCW). A few insiders pointed out WWE’s very large footprint with YouTube and with a steady revenue stream from the vault channels, executives reportedly see the YouTube model as both financially sound and fan-development friendly. It was added more content may gradually be uploaded to YouTube after the deal with Peacock ends.
Furthermore, longtime WWE personnel claim that old footage is no longer a “needle-mover” that the fans think it is, now that it will no longer be bundled with PLE’s and Saturday Night’s Main Event. Another source described the WWE video library as a “nice boost” and a major attraction initially, but not something that would command a standalone premium rights deal in today’s streaming service market.
The report concluding by saying a further source noted that if an offer from the outside comes which is compelling enough, WWE would certainly consider it, though uploading content to YouTube is also said to be something that is expected to continue either way.
There was not mention in the report regarding a subscription based WWE YouTube platform.