WWE Network To Enter Japan; Stock Spikes

• Shares of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. WWE have gained about 30 percent year-to-date.
• The company on Friday said it will begin offering its streaming service in Japan for $9.99 a month.
• The expansion to the Japanese market follows earlier moves into other key markets such as Germany and India.

WWE fans in Japan will have access to the WWE Network as early as January 5, 2016, the company announced on Friday.

Subscribers will be able to access the English-language version of WWE Network for $9.99 per month. Included in the package is access to all 12 pay-per-view events along with 24/7 scheduled programming. Subscribers will also be able to access WWE's video-on-demand library which contains more than 4,000 hours of content.

Shares popped more than 1 percent on the news, but recently traded at $16.20 in the pre-market session, up 0.25 percent.

Related Link: Why WWE Network Is ‘Clearly' A Viable Business

WWE has been active in expanding its Network to global audiences. The company announced in October that its fans in India will be able to follow their favorite superstars battle it out in the squared circle. The sports-entertainment company said in November it will begin offering its Network to the German market.

The WWE Network will initially be available in Japan on desktop, laptop, and mobile devices. The company plans on making its streaming service available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation and Xbox devices, along with other over-the-top boxes in time the Royal Rumble – scheduled for January 24.

"Japan is strategically important for WWE given our passionate and engaged fan base in the market," said George Barrios, WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Officer. "The global expansion of WWE Network is critical to the continued growth of our brand internationally."