IWF Network

**Current status** | Active

**IWF Network** is a subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company through the World Class Sports Ventures division and business segment. It primarily distributes original professional wrestling events and documentary series related to the professional wrestling governing body Indie Wrestling Federation (IWF). IWF Network was launched on March 5, 2018, in the United States and Japan, in Canada and Mexico in September of that year, and expanded to the Asia-Pacific region and select European countries in February 2019. The United Kingdom received the service in March 2019. It was launched in additional European and Asian countries in January 2021.

Beginning in 2022, IWF began to phase out IWF Network as a standalone service in some markets, transitioning its content library to the Disney+ streaming service. In markets without Disney+, IWF Network remains a standalone service.

## History

### Development and U.S. launch

The origins of the IWF Network can be traced back to the founding of the Indie Wrestling Federation in May 2016 when the group launched a YouTube channel dedicated to showcasing full length broadcasts from BCW, CASW and CZW.

In November 2017, the IWF officially announced plans to launch the IWF Network in 2018 as a subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. IWF then conducted a survey asking people if they would pay for the IWF Network if it were a streaming service. In an email sent to BCW, CASW and CZW fans who might be interested in the IWF Network, the IWF surveyed fans for their thoughts about the IWF Network airing various pay-per-views to subscribers for no additional charge. Original programming was also noted in the survey.

The service officially launched in the United States and Japan on March 5, 2018 at a price point of only $5.99 (¥900) a month. The service then launched in Canada in July of that year, and expanded to the Asia-Pacific region and select European countries in August. The United Kingdom received the service in February 2019, and was made available in the Middle East and parts of Africa that March, and to India in November. It was launched in additional European and Asian countries in January 2020.

### Merger of service into Disney+

On April 5, 2021, World Class Sports Ventures announced they had acquired the Indie Wrestling Federation, although every member promotion would remain independently owned and operated. With the acquisition, it was announced that the network would be folded into the The Walt Disney Company-owned streaming service Disney+ within the next year. It was later made official that the IWF Network would become a hub within Disney+ on August 7, 2022. In markets without Disney+, IWF Network remains a standalone service.

## Availability

The IWF Network is currently available through twenty-eight United Nations members states, with plans for future expansion. It is available as a content hub within Disney+ in twenty-six countries, while remaining available as a standalone service in China and Vietnam. IWF Network was launched on March 5, 2018, in the United States and Japan, in Canada and Mexico in September of that year, and expanded to the Asia-Pacific region and select European countries in February 2019. The United Kingdom received the service in March 2019. It was launched in additional European and Asian countries in January 2021.

## Programming

### Original programming

#### In-ring shows

* All pay-per-view events for IWF member promotions
* Pre-shows for pay-per-views
* *BCW Friday Night Adrenaline* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Berzerk Championship Wrestling
* *Club UK* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Club UK Wrestling
* *LAW Saturday Night Uncensored* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Los Angeles Wrestling
* *Lucha Libre Mágica* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Lucha Libre Mágica
* *Lucha After Dark* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Lucha Libre Mágica
* *PWJ Fight Night* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Pro Wrestling Japan
* *PWJ: Joshi Japan* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Pro Wrestling Japan
* *PWJ: Underground* – An in-ring program featuring talent from Pro Wrestling Japan