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WWE Network comes to Apple TV with in-app subscriptions as service debuts

Update: The WWE Apple TV app is now live for users in at least the US and Canada.

Following rumors back and forth regarding the new WWE network launching today, the company has just announced that the service will be available to Apple TV users. WWE confirmed to us in a statement that the Apple TV app will arrive today.

The Apple TV app will provide access to all 12 live WWE Pay-PerView events including WrestleMania, original programming from the network like reality shows and documentaries, as well as 24/7 programming from WWE and a ton of on-demand content.

The update appears to have hit Apple TVs (at least in the US or Canada) with the ability to access the network and purchase subscriptions. The subscription-based WWE network allows users to sign up for service directly within the Apple TV app using an iTunes account. The company notes that subscriptions purchased through Apple TV are “billed as a single charge of $59.99 (plus applicable tax) for the six month subscription period.” The launch of the new channel on Apple TV follows rumors of an Apple partnership that started after the company handed out WWE branded Apple TVs at its launch event last month. There were other reports that claimed the Apple TV launch was being held up by Apple’s request to take a 50% cut of subscriptions, but it appears that report was either inaccurate or the WWE and Apple have been able to work out an agreement since.

The WWE app for iPhone and iPad was also updated today with support for the new network features and more.

Apple has added a ton of new content to the Apple TV in past months with the most recent additions including Redbull TVBloomberg TVWatch ABC, Crackle, and KorTV. We reported previously that Apple is working on a new version of the Apple TV set-top-box that will bring new functionality and likely arrive sometime this year.

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Comments

  1. PMZanetti - 10 years ago

    This is great news and a great example of what needs to happen across the board for content.

    Except…of course…the insanely ludicrous $10 a month cost. Maybe its not insane of you’re a WWE viewer and the App is worth it…but it has to actually offer something…

    1. Live broadcast? When their weekly shows are Live on cable, are they live on AppleTV?
    2. Payperview events? I don’t know how the WWE handles their “Payperview” events these days as I haven’t paid much attention in the last decade…but I’d imagine there would be extra value in having them included each month (live) as part of the package.

    • Michael (@skullboy0) - 10 years ago

      One of the main features of the WWE Network is it includes all Pay Per View events live.

    • Patrick Zollner - 10 years ago

      For the $10/month subscription fee, users will get all WWE pay per view events included, as well as primetime shows (original content) and live wrestling shows each week.

    • Robert Williams - 10 years ago

      Yes, the live weekly shows are going to be part of the Network, so they will be on the Apple TV. And the PPVs will be on the Network as well, so instead of paying upwards of $50 or $60 each month for the PPVs, they’re part of the $9.99 price. That alone is worth it for wrestling fans.

      • rflairfan1 - 10 years ago

        That’s not entirely true. Raw and Smackdown will not be, live they will air 30 days after they air on USA and SyFy.

    • 1. There are pre & post shows for the weekly shows that are on cable, but they are not streamed live.
      2. Every PPV will be available live via the network including Wrestlemania with no extra charge. The regular cost of a monthly PPV (except Wrestlemania) is $55.

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      Interesting conflicted responses over whether live (raw & smack down) are included. My gut tells me, not a chance.

      • Bryan Hough - 10 years ago

        The definitive answer is that RAW and SmackDown! will air as encores 30 days after the original air date. WWE is maintaining a relationship with Hulu for next day replays of these shows.

    • Bryan Hough - 10 years ago

      1. The main weekly shows (RAW and SmackDown!) will not air live on the Network. They will be catalogued 30 days after their original air date. WWE is currently in an agreement with Hulu for exclusive access to next day streaming but it is expected that when this contract is up, WWE will move the encores to it’s own network. WWE is also currently shopping TV rights to RAW and SmackDown! and was unable to reach an agreement with NBCU to renew. If they don’t like what they hear from the marketplace, it is not out of the realm of possibility that they will move the programs to the Network.

      2. On the subject of pay per views and what you referred to as a “ludicrous $10 a month cost”, WWE is including them live and archived in the subscription. The cost of a high def WWE PPV through a provider is $49.95. Thats 12 times a year. This represents an INCREDIBLE value to a wrestling fan and it will be, for many, the sole catalyst for them to subscribe.

  2. Scott Gerber - 10 years ago

    I haven’t watched much since the 90s, but this does seem like a very good deal. All pay-per-views are included, as well as their entire backlog catalog. Basically, you’d get 6 months of content for the price of one PPV. Plus, original programming and more.

    And keep in mind, you can buy iTunes gift cards when they are on sale and save even more. I just bought a $100 iTunes gift card for $80 through an eBay promo, which means every song, app or any content I purchase is 20% off. I’ve taken advantage of similar gift card sales at Target and Best Buy and stock up whenever I see a sale.

  3. Joe Piervincenti (@JDP81) - 10 years ago

    It was unbelievable how many articles I saw chastised Apple as always for them not being on the device BEFORE IT EVEN LAUNCHED lol… now meanwhile it’s here on day one first thing… meanwhile WWE was giving out WWE-branded Apple TV’s at the announcement. If Apple was really so horrible in the cuts they look for from merchants, they wouldn’t have Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and so many TV networks on there.

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      Who is to say what back room deals Apple has negotiated with each provider so far. I’m sure they’ve offered certain deals to the likes of NBC and others that weren’t as attractive as what others have gotten.

  4. Joel Henson - 10 years ago

    Definitely a step in the right direction for TV. Hopefully other channels look at this and follow suit. Although, you better be offering similar amounts of content for 10 bucks a month.

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      This is what the world hopes for with next revision of AppleTV. An App Store populated by lots of WWE type apps with their own subscriptions. Get what you want, pay what you want.

  5. Can see it here in Norway, not subscribed though….!!!

  6. Anoop Menon - 10 years ago

    Does anyone think, Apple planning to open up the development platform for Apple TV, so that people can write apps for Apple TV using the SDK? We saw chromecast opening their SDK two weeks back.

  7. Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

    What’s next? Televised dog fights?

    Maybe they should just do live executions (faked of course, because that makes my desire to watch it “okay”somehow).

    Anyone who watches this ridiculous crap is sick IMO.

  8. Barry Oickle - 10 years ago

    Can someone please confirm that they have tried it on apple tv in CANADA and had success?

  9. admin - 10 years ago

    It also works if you set iTunes location to US on the ATV and then use the DNS service https://unlocator.com – that way you can stream WWE anywhere in the world.

  10. drtyrell969 - 10 years ago

    Wow, now that’s progress.

  11. Andy Brooks - 10 years ago

    Fake wrestling finally came to the Apple TV? Tim Cook just grew a mullet didn’t he…

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.