Canadian WWE fans will have to go elsewhere for their WWE fix come 2025.
SportsNet is sending subscribers text alerts today stating they will no longer have the rights to any of the programming or WWE Network content on January 1st, 2025.
“We wanted to let you know that effective January 1st, 2025, your WWE Network pass on SportsNet+ will no longer be available, as SportsNet no longer holds the rights to this content. No action is required…You will not incur any charges after your last billing date in 2024. Your final charge will be pro-rated to reflect the December 31st, 2024, end date,” states the message.
There have been reports from Netflix Canada that the Network and WWE content will be available in January but there is a question about whether PLEs will be available on demand after airing live. Canadians who use or subscribe to a VPN service can, should be able to watch WWE on other versions of Netflix, Netflix from other countries if there is no Canadian Netflix deal. VPNs are not illegal in any way.
With the announcement making the rounds many subscribers are not happy with the outcome and the news:
i swear, i’m getting rid of my sportsnet account… why am i paying for a service that stopped uploading WWE shows immediately, and removed ALL of the PPVs. this is honestly a waste of money
— Nayeli DeVampire #MementoMori 🖤🤍 (@NayeliVampire) October 27, 2024
@Sportsnet last month we purchased a year package to watch all hockey games along w/ WWE+PPV Today you text saying you no longer have the rights to WWE which I find hard to believe you didn’t know a month ago when we paid. Such BS. How do we get a refund for the WWE we can’t use
— It’s Bev-A-Bee (@its_bevabee) October 31, 2024
So apparently the WWE Network will no longer be available on SportsNet Plus in Canada starting January 1st. First time I’ve heard of this and I haven’t heard of any service that will be used in its place. pic.twitter.com/9UiNjdkyNF
— Jimmy Pigskin (@JimmyGraps) October 31, 2024
As of this writing there has been no official announcement from Netflix Canada or any other outlet about acquiring the rights to WWE programming or the WWE Network in Canada.
WWE announced in January they signed a $5 billion US, 1o year deal with Netflix.
At the time, the WWE stated: “Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.”