WWE Network Heads to the Middle East, Expands Canadian Distribution

DUBAI/STAMFORD/TORONTO: WWE Network has secured distribution on OSN to bring the service into the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to shoring up extended carriage in Canada through Rogers.

OSN and WWE Network inked a five-year partnership. OSN subscribers will be able to access the linear network via their set-top boxes as well as on multiple devices through OSN Play and with authenticated access via WWE Network apps. WWE Network will also be offered in the region on a direct-to-consumer basis through the WWE app, available on GO by OSN. The agreement will run concurrent with WWE and OSN’s existing partnership to air WWE’s flagship programming Raw and SmackDown, as well as NXT, Superstars and more in the region.

In Canada, Rogers reached carriage agreements for WWE Network with multiple TV producers. In addition to Rogers and Eastlink, the premium linear TV channel will now be available to Cogeco Cable Canada, Shaw and Shaw Direct, TELUS Optik TV and TELUS Satellite TV, and Videotron subscribers. This past August, Rogers and WWE announced a ten-year broadcast and multimedia agreement, making Rogers the exclusive distributor of WWE’s flagship programming in Canada through 2024.

“OSN has a long standing relationship with WWE and we are very excited to be expanding that relationship further with the exclusive carriage of the WWE Network,” said Andy Warkman, OSN’s VP of sport and production. “We will be co-branding the linear channel OSN WWE Network HD and following on from our enhanced TV deal renewal last year, this is great news for WWE fans in the Middle East and North Africa region. We are looking forward to launching the Network in the coming weeks and cementing our position as the Home of WWE in the region.”

“OSN is the leader in pay television in the Middle East and North Africa, and we are excited to expand our partnership and further our reach within the region by adding WWE Network as a premium, linear channel,” added Gerrit Meier, WWE's executive VP of international. “WWE is committed to growing our brand globally and this agreement illustrates the flexibility we have in rolling out WWE Network around the world, offering our fans an extraordinary experience.”