The live shows of WWE – Raw, SmackDown, and NXT have secured their new streaming home. In October 2023, SmackDown and NXT finalized their deals with the USA Network, which is also the current home of RAW. Additionally, NXT has inked a 5-year deal with the CW Network, set to commence from October 2024.
Recently, Netflix, the top online streaming platform with 200 million subscribers, made a huge splash by acquiring the rights to broadcast WWE’s flagship show Raw, starting from January 2025.
WWE and Netflix agreed to a $5 billion, ten-year deal
WWE has been in search of a new broadcasting platform for Raw since its contract with the USA Network expired in 2024. The company has also encountered competition from rival promotions, notably AEW, which has been airing its weekly show, Dynamite, on TNT since 2019.
Yesterday, WWE officially announced Netflix as their streaming partner for the RAW show. The agreement was inked for an impressive $5 billion and spans a period of 10 years. While Netflix is renowned for its original TV shows and movies, this marks the streaming giant’s foray into the realm of live sports programming. This move represents a significant shift for RAW, which will be broadcast on a new platform for the first time since 2005.
Netflix will air WWE Raw starting next year as part of a 10-year, $5 billion deal 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pIBs2wia3g
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) January 23, 2024
Through this deal, WWE gains access to Netflix’s extensive global reach. RAW will now be accessible in over 190 countries and regions, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America. Additionally, Netflix will have the rights to stream WWE shows outside the U.S., featuring SmackDown, NXT, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and all pay-per-view events.
Wrestling fans reacts to WWE and Netflix contract
Following the announcement of the Netflix-WWE contract, fans of both WWE and Netflix have expressed their excitement about the partnership. Many believe that this collaboration will prove to be a success for two of the top entertainment companies in the world.
WWE is gonna be more woke than ever
— Victor Blanco (@victorblnco) January 23, 2024
This partnership came as a surprise to many WWE fans, especially since there were previous rumors suggesting that Warner Brothers Discovery was in the running to acquire the streaming rights for Monday Night RAW.
Fans have shared their happiness after the deal, expressing sentiments like, “We will now be able to see WWE shows and movies on the same platform.”
The President of TKO, Mark Shapiro shared a note on social media expressing, “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. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”
And now we can literally have Netflix and chill.
— The.Amore.Agency (@theamoreagncy) January 23, 2024
With this partnership, both companies stand to gain a substantial number of subscribers, and fans are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of this formidable collaboration.
