WWE SmackDown Faces potential Blackout as NBCUniversal, YouTube TV Dispute Escalates
Stamford, CT – November 21, 2023 - WWE’s flagship program, SmackDown, is at risk of disappearing from YouTube TV as a carriage dispute between nbcuniversal and the streaming service intensifies. The potential blackout threatens access to weekly WWE programming for millions of subscribers, just weeks ahead of the December 2nd Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, saudi Arabia.
The core of the conflict centers on financial terms for continued distribution of NBCUniversal’s channels, including USA Network, the current home of SmackDown. If an agreement isn’t reached, SmackDown, along with other NBCUniversal networks, could be removed from YouTube TV’s lineup. This situation mirrors ongoing tensions within the media landscape as customary broadcasters navigate the evolving streaming environment and seek fair compensation for their content.
The dispute directly impacts WWE fans who rely on YouTube TV for live access to SmackDown. A prolonged outage could lead viewers to choice platforms,potentially affecting viewership numbers and advertising revenue for the wrestling entertainment giant. nbcuniversal issued a statement asserting their commitment to reaching a deal,while YouTube TV maintains it is striving to balance value for customers with fair agreements with content providers.
The rules governing user interaction on the Wrestling News Source website, were this news was initially reported, have recently been updated. Anonymous posting is no longer permitted, requiring all users to register as members. The site emphasizes a need for constructive discussion and warns against disruptive behavior,stating that a “mod bot” will automatically enforce guidelines outlined here. The platform encourages “fun banter” while strictly prohibiting behavior deemed “angry and unhinged.”
