In a groundbreaking move, Netflix has secured exclusive streaming rights for WWE’s flagship global wrestling show, WWE Raw, starting January 2025. The deal, worth $5 billion according to Reuters, marks a significant shift for the 31-year-old wrestling show, which will be leaving linear television for the first time in its history.
Currently, WWE Raw airs on US television every Monday night at 8 pm (Eastern Time) and is part of WWE’s deal with NBC, which expires in October. After the expiration of the current deal, WWE Raw will stream exclusively on Netflix in the US, Latin America, the UK, and Canada. Although the deal covers streaming rights in these regions, Netflix has hinted that additional countries and regions may be added over time. Notably, WWE broadcast rights in India are currently held by Sony India, and it remains uncertain if WWE Raw will be available on Netflix in the country.
As part of the deal, all WWE documentaries, shows, and specials outside the US will now be available on Netflix, including other weekly shows like SmackDown and NXT, along with major events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. This move expands Netflix’s sports-related content and offers subscribers access to a broad range of WWE programming beyond WWE Raw.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix. 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. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year, and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”
The long-term nature of the deal signifies a departure for WWE Raw, which has been a fixture on linear television for over three decades. WWE President Nick Khan highlighted Netflix’s success in storytelling and positioned the streaming giant as the ideal home for Raw’s live and ever-growing fan base. Khan stated, “In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling. We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base.”
This move comes as part of Netflix’s broader strategy to expand its live-streaming offerings. While Netflix has previously experimented with live events, such as the comedy special “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage” and the “Love Is Blind” reunion special, WWE Raw presents a new challenge as it involves year-long live-streaming, a format distinct from Netflix’s traditional on-demand content.
The deal with WWE Raw showcases Netflix’s ambition to diversify its content library and cater to sports enthusiasts. While there were reports of Netflix considering a bid for Formula 1 World Championship rights before the racing series renewed with ESPN, the streaming giant has already collaborated with Formula 1 for the popular documentary series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive.”
As Netflix ventures into live sports streaming with WWE Raw, it will likely face challenges in ensuring a seamless live-streaming experience for wrestling fans accustomed to the fast-paced, dynamic nature of the sport. The success of this endeavor could potentially open doors for Netflix to explore more live sports content in the future, further expanding its offerings beyond traditional on-demand entertainment.
Netflix’s acquisition of exclusive streaming rights for WWE Raw represents a groundbreaking development in the entertainment landscape, signaling a shift in how sports entertainment is consumed. As Netflix continues to diversify its content and explore live-streaming opportunities, WWE Raw’s move to the streaming platform marks a significant moment for both the streaming giant and the wrestling community. Wrestling fans worldwide will now have a new platform to engage with their favorite shows and events, marking a dynamic evolution in the way sports entertainment reaches audiences globally.