WWE Inks U.K. Free-to-Air TV Deal with Channel 5

WWE has entered into a new partnership with ViacomCBS’s Channel 5 to broadcast highlights of its weekly programs Raw and SmackDown on free-to-air television in the U.K.

Starting February 2, Channel 5 will air a one-hour version of Raw on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and a one-hour version of SmackDown on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. In addition, NXT UK will air on Paramount Network every Wednesday from 12 a.m.

As part of the agreement, content will be made available on Channel 5’s My5 streaming service. In addition, full seasons of Total Divas and Miz & Mrs will be offered to My5 viewers, as well as on ViacomCBS-owned Pluto TV in the U.K.

“Bringing highlights of our flagship programming to free-to-air television for the first time in the U.K. with Channel 5 is a significant step for the WWE brand, and more great news for our passionate fanbase in the U.K.,” said Andy Warkman, VP and general manager of WWE UK & Ireland.

“WWE has strong appeal throughout the U.K. and across generations so we’re very excited to be bringing their high-quality entertainment to an even bigger free-to-air audience in the U.K.,” said James Tatam, VP of commercial, digital and operations at Channel 5.