The WWE has announced via their website, that they will be airing RAW & SmackDown in New Zealand for free. The following press release wêŠas sent out yesđŹterday regarding the news:
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MÄORI TELEVISION TO BROADCAST WWEŸ PROGRAMMING ON FREE-TO-AIR TV FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW ZEALAND
UCKLAND, New Zealand and STAMFORD, Conn., February 15, 2018 â WWE (NYSE: WWE) and MÄori Television, New Zealandâs indigenous broadcaster, today announced a new agreement to broadcast WWEâs flagship programs RawŸ and SmackDownŸ on free-to-air TV in English and te reo MÄori for the first time in New Zealand.
Beginning February 24, 2018, MÄori Television channel (English and te reo MÄori) will televise a one-hour version of Raw at 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and a one-hour version of SmackDown at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays. The Te Reo channel will broadcast a te reo MÄori version of Raw on Mondays at 9 p.m.
âWe are excited to partner with MÄori Television to deliver localized WWE content in New Zealand,â said Michelle Wilson, WWE Co-President. âThis new agreement to televise Raw and SmackDown on free-to-air TV in both English and te reo MÄori for the first time allows us to deliver our unique blend of action-packed, family friendly entertainment to our passionate fans in the region.â
âMÄori Television is thrilled to embark on this new relationship with WWE, a leading global entertainment company as we set to further engage new audiences with te reo MÄori,â said MÄori Television. âAll MÄori Television WWE content will feature New Zealandâs indigenous language as a component and we have engaged with some of the finest te reo MÄori experts in the land to weave reo and tikanga into all platforms of broadcasts.â
MÄori Television will also broadcast WWE highlight shows WWE ExperienceŸ at 7.30 p.m. and This WeekŸ at 11:10 p.m. on Fridays. Fans can watch all programs on 14-day authenticated VOD catch up through MÄori Televisionâs website, www.maoritelevision.com.
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It appears that WWE's New Zeê§aland fan base is about to grow a bit larger with the reveđ§lation of this news.