Foxtel extends long-running WWE partnership

US wrestling organisation WWE has agreed a one-year extension to its rights partnership with Australian pay-television operator Foxtel.

The deal will extend their partnership into its 19th year with a new agreement to broadcast WWE programming live in Australia, including flagship shows Raw and SmackDown, as well as WWE’s live pay-per-views events.

Foxtel’s Fox8 will continue to air Raw live at 10am on Tuesdays and SmackDown live at 10am on Wednesdays. For the first time, Fox8 will repeat Raw on Tuesday nights in primetime and SmackDown on Wednesday nights in primetime.

Fox Sports will air one-hour versions of Raw and SmackDown in primetime each week. Foxtel Now will also make both shows available on demand following their airings.

Australian WWE fans will be able to order all live special events on Foxtel pay-per-view channel Main Event, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble. Additionally, new this year are WWE weekly highlight shows Afterburn and Bottom Line, which will be available through Foxtel Now.