CW Secures Exclusive Multi-Year Deal to Air WWE NXT Premium Live Events

The CW Network has secured exclusive broadcast rights to WWE NXT Premium Live Events (PLEs) in a multi-year deal, WWE and the network announced on Tuesday. The agreement marks a significant expansion of their existing partnership, consolidating all NXT programming—including weekly shows and major live events—under one broadcast home for the first time.

20 Premium Live Events to Air on The CW

The deal will bring 20 NXT PLEs to The CW over the next several years, with broadcasts set to begin this summer. The first event under the new arrangement will be The Great American Bash, followed by other marquee shows such as Stand and Deliver, Deadline, and Vengeance Day. All events will air live on both coasts, ensuring nationwide accessibility for fans.

WWE will continue to produce the events, maintaining creative control while leveraging The CW’s broadcast reach. The network will now serve as the exclusive television home for NXT, which includes 52 live weekly episodes airing every Tuesday night from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The addition of PLEs to The CW’s lineup aims to provide a single destination for fans to follow NXT’s storylines, championships, and rising stars.

Expanding a Successful Partnership

The CW and WWE initially struck a five-year deal in October 2024 to bring NXT’s weekly programming to broadcast television for the first time in the show’s history. The move proved successful, with NXT’s debut on The CW delivering the program’s largest audience since October 2023. The show also became The CW’s top telecast of the year among adults aged 25-54 and 18-49, demonstrating its appeal to a broad demographic.

Brad Schwartz, President of The CW Network, emphasized the synergy between the network and NXT’s fanbase. WWE NXT has energized our Tuesday nights by consistently delivering a loyal and passionate fanbase to The CW every week, Schwartz said. Adding WWE NXT Premium Live Events to our schedule is a natural fit, providing one broadcast destination for audiences to watch all their favorite Superstars, storylines, and championship matches.

Shawn Michaels, WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, highlighted the significance of the deal for NXT’s growth. The CW has played an integral role in raising the profile of our up-and-coming Superstars, and we are excited to bring NXT Premium Live Events to broadcast television for the first time ever, Michaels stated.

NXT’s Role in WWE’s Future

Launched by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque in 2012, NXT has served as a developmental brand for WWE’s next generation of talent. The program has been instrumental in cultivating some of WWE’s biggest stars, including Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch, all of whom competed at WrestleMania 42 after honing their skills in NXT.

Under Michaels’ leadership, NXT on The CW has continued to showcase emerging talent, with recent breakout stars including NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo, NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice, Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Tiffany Stratton, Roxanne Perez, Je’Von Evans, and Sol Ruca. The brand’s transition to broadcast television has amplified its visibility, allowing it to reach a wider audience while maintaining its reputation as a proving ground for WWE’s future headliners.

The CW’s Growing Sports Portfolio

The addition of NXT PLEs further solidifies The CW’s commitment to live sports programming. The network has increasingly invested in sports content, including football and basketball from the ACC, Pac-12, and Mountain West conferences, as well as NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the PBR Team Series, Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) events, and AVP Beach Volleyball. The expansion of its sports offerings reflects The CW’s strategy to attract live audiences and diversify its programming lineup.

For WWE, the deal represents another step in its broader media strategy, which has included partnerships with major platforms like Peacock and YouTube. While NXT PLEs previously streamed on Peacock and briefly moved to YouTube, the shift to The CW underscores WWE’s focus on maximizing broadcast exposure for its developmental brand. The move also aligns with WWE’s long-term goal of growing NXT’s audience while maintaining its identity as a distinct product within the company’s ecosystem.

What’s Next for NXT Fans

With The CW now serving as the exclusive home for all NXT programming, fans can expect a seamless viewing experience for both weekly episodes and major live events. The network’s broadcast reach ensures that NXT’s biggest shows will be accessible to a wider audience, potentially accelerating the brand’s growth and elevating its profile within the sports-entertainment landscape.

The first NXT PLE to air on The CW, The Great American Bash, is scheduled for later this summer, with additional events to follow throughout the year. As NXT continues to develop new talent and storylines, the partnership with The CW provides a platform to showcase the next generation of WWE Superstars to a national audience.