WWE Raw to be available on Netflix as part of a new 10-year, 5-billion-dollar TV rights deal in todays Wrestling news
The deal is part a larger package which includes international markets.
As part of a 10-year TV rights agreement that includes international components, WWE Raw is moving from traditional cable to Netflix for the first time.
WWE announced the news on Tuesday morning. The new era is set to begin in January 2025.
The day of the show has not been confirmed. WWE CEO Nick Khan, in an interview with Pat McAfee outlined compelling reasons for moving the show. He also highlighted their track record on Mondays against NFL and that they had nearly 11 months to figure out everything.
The Sports Business Journal and CNBC’s Alex Sherman both reported that the deal is worth more than $5 billion and will last 10 years.
According to the release, Raw will not only be seen in the United States but also Canada, United Kingdom, Latin America, and other countries and areas over time.
Netflix will also become the primary provider of WWE shows such as Raw, SmackDown, and NXT outside the United States, in addition to premium events, documentaries, original series, and live events that are traditionally seen on WWE Network. This element will also begin in 2025.
Brandon Thurston, of Wrestlenomics, noted that the TKO SEC filings revealed an interesting fact regarding the length of the deal: it could be as short as 5 years or as long 20 years depending on Netflix’s wishes.
The fact that WWE’s deal with NBCU expires at the end of October 2024 adds to the intrigue. It is unclear where Raw will be broadcast between then and when Netflix begins. According to the Variety report, it is not yet known where Raw will air between now and when Netflix begins its deal.
CNBC sent a late note regarding how Raw content will be treated by Netflix for its ad-based users and premium subscribers:
Netflix announced earlier this month that it had 23,000,000 (monthly active users), for its advertising tier. The company launched the tier in November 2022. Matches will be scripted to accommodate ad-free subscribers, who will continue to see live matches that don’t matter to the outcome. For example, a wrestler in an extended headlock.
Monthly active users (MAUs), however, are not the same as subscribers. Netflix does not currently break down the totals by group.
WWE has now secured all domestic TV rights that were due to expire this year. SmackDown and NXT are moving to NBCUniversal in October 2024.
The domestic rights of the WWE Network and PLEs currently held by NBCU expire in March 2026, along with the domestic TV rights of the UFC currently held by ESPN, which expire in 2025. This means that TKO will be able to reap a financial windfall in the coming years.
The deal also came on the same day that Dwayne was named to the TKO Board of Directors. He has retained the full ownership of the “The Rock” trademark.
Netflix has experimented with Chris Rock’s comedy specials and a live finale for “Love is Blind”, but the latter was plagued by major technical problems that were blamed upon a technical glitch.
TKO COO Mark Shapiro said to Sports Business Journal there are no concerns that Netflix will be able to handle a live show every week. He added, “the timeframe gives Netflix and WWE one year to prepare for this move and he anticipates massive Netflix support to make sure the program is a successful.”
Shapiro said that the length of the agreement was also a major factor in the decision to make the deal. In a quote, which is assumed to be from Netflix’s point of view, Shapiro said: “An early concern about this deal was that Netflix wasn’t a renter. We love to be owners. If we can’t buy, we want to be sure that you will not leave us after three years if you pour your heart and soul into the partnership.
WWE Raw to be available on Netflix as part of a new 10-year, 5-billion-dollar TV rights deal in todays Wrestling news, Chatalong Chatbox, Results will be Hidden inside a spoiler Button so you will not bet spoiled about direct results.
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