Details on WWE Network’s Expansion in Canada

The WWE Network had a rocky start with many of its expansion efforts. Its first attempt at breaking into the United Kingdom failed miserably, with a launch date pushed back significantly amidst fan outrage.

WWE also struggled to bring the network into Canada at first, but after some time, things got settled. A new press release by the company details further expansion efforts by the network into the country, where it is offered as a cable channel. It reads as followed:

WWE Network Coming to More Canadians; Rogers Reaches Agreement with Multiple TV Providers

Cogeco Cable Canada, Shaw and Shaw Direct, TELUS Optik TV and TELUS Satellite TV, and Videotron subscribers

TORONTO (February 12, 2015) Rogers today announced that it has reached carriage agreements for WWE Network with multiple television providers, providing more Canadian fans with access to premium WWE programming. In addition to Rogers and Eastlink, the premium linear TV channel will now also be available to Cogeco Cable Canada, Shaw and Shaw Direct, TELUS Optik TV and TELUS Satellite TV, and Videotron subscribers (see launch dates below).

With WWE Network, fans have access to premium programming that includes every live WWE pay-per-view event – featuring next month’s highly anticipated Wrestlemania on Sunday, March 29 – as well as ground-breaking original series, live in-ring action, reality shows and a video-on-demand library. Additionally, subscribers can now access all of the WWE Network’s offerings, including nearly 3,000 hours of content, online via PC or laptop.

Launch dates for the television providers are as follows:

TELUS Satellite TV – February 25
Videotron – February 25
Cogeco Cable Canada – March 26
TELUS Optik TV, Shaw and Shaw Direct to announce their March launch dates in the coming weeks

Fans can contact their television provider for further subscription and channel allocation details.

This past August, Rogers Communications and WWE announced a 10-year broadcast and multimedia agreement, making Rogers the exclusive distributor of WWE’s flagship programming in Canada through 2024. The deal extends WWE’s programming on Sportsnet 360 and includes the right to distribute WWE Network as a premium linear channel and on multiple digital platforms.

The network is also currently available on PC’s in the country.

Editor’s Note

WWE’s dabbling with Canada for the network is interesting, and likely testing waters for future expansion.

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