In a groundbreaking move, WWE’s flagship weekly pro wrestling show, “Raw,” is set to make its debut on Netflix in January 2025, marking a significant shift for the streaming giant as it expands its sports content and live events portfolio.
WWE’s ‘Raw’ to Stream Live on Netflix
Under the terms of the deal, Netflix will exclusively stream “Raw” in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Latin America, and other territories starting in January 2025. Additionally, Netflix will carry various WWE shows and specials globally, including “SmackDown” and “NXT,” live events such as WrestleMania, and WWE documentaries and series throughout 2025.
Mark Shapiro, president and COO of WWE’s parent company, TKO, emphasized the transformative nature of the partnership with Netflix, stating that it will extend the reach of the wrestling entertainment brand and bring weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix. The deal is seen as a strategic move to leverage Netflix’s global reach for WWE’s can’t-miss product.
“This deal is transformative. It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years,” said Shapiro in a statement.
The agreement represents the first time that “Raw” will depart from traditional television since its inception about three decades ago. Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the enormous and passionate multigenerational fan base that “Raw” brings to the streaming platform.
“By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members,” said Bajaria. She described “Raw” as the epitome of sports entertainment, blending compelling characters and storytelling with live action throughout the year.
“Raw” holds the distinction of being the top show on the USA Network, attracting 17.5 million unique viewers annually. The show, which has aired 1,600 episodes, played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of iconic figures like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and John Cena.
Netflix Shifts Strategy: $5 Billion Deal for WWE’s Raw Marks a Streaming Evolution
The deal spans an initial 10 years with an aggregate rights fee exceeding $5 billion, and Netflix retains an option to extend the agreement. This move into live sports programming represents a departure from Netflix’s earlier stance, where co-CEO Ted Sarandos mentioned being “pro-profits” and expressed challenges in delivering profits in renting big league sports within the subscription model.
The wrestling extravaganza that “Raw” brings is expected to add a new dimension to Netflix’s content lineup, aligning with its focus on delivering compelling and dramatic sports narratives. As the streaming landscape evolves, Netflix’s foray into live sports with WWE’s “Raw” marks a significant chapter in its ongoing strategy to captivate audiences with diverse and engaging content.
