A huge announcement rocked the wrestling and entertainment world on Tuesday morning as WWE has announced they’ve signed a new exclusive partnership with Nextflix to air WWE Raw each week. They tweeted: “WWE Raw is coming to Netflix! Starting in January 2025, @Netflix will exclusively stream #WWERaw (in the US, Canada, UK, & Latin America) every single week, all year long!”
“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “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.”
Also starting in 2025, Netflix will serve as the exclusive destination for all WWE shows and specials outside the United States. This comprehensive content offering includes the flagship show Raw, as well as the weekly programs SmackDown and NXT, along with WWE’s Premium Live Events.
In addition to the regular programming, Netflix will also feature WWE’s acclaimed documentaries, original series, and upcoming projects on an international scale.
This Changes Everything For WWE
WWE’s new monumental 10-year deal with streaming giant Netflix was secured for a jaw-dropping sum of over $5 billion. It’s a groundbreaking move that reshapes the landscape of professional wrestling broadcasting. The announcement comes on the heels of months of speculation regarding the fate of WWE’s flagship show, “Raw,” as its current television deals were set to expire.
Triple H, WWE’s legendary figurehead, took to Twitter to express his excitement about the partnership, declaring, “This partnership is one that will break new ground and take @WWE to new heights. Thrilled to bring #WWERaw to @Netflix, coming January 2025. Now we change the game!!!!”
Fans Will Start Watching Raw On Netflix Starting Next Year
As of January 2025, “Raw” will exclusively stream live on Netflix not only in the United States but also in Canada, the UK, Latin America, and other regions as the deal progresses. This marks a historic moment as it will be the first time in its three-decade history that “Raw” will not air new episodes on a linear television network.
The deal, initially rumored to be worth $400 million per year, signifies a significant financial boost for WWE compared to its previous arrangement with the USA Network, which reportedly paid $250 million annually. However, conflicting reports suggest that the Netflix deal could be even more lucrative, with Sports Business Journal indicating a staggering $5 billion over ten years.
With the streaming giant having the option to opt out after the initial five years and the potential for an additional 10-year extension, this deal solidifies Netflix’s commitment to delivering top-notch sports entertainment content to its global audience.
One lingering question surrounds the transitional period between WWE’s current deal with USA Network, ending in October 2024, and the commencement of the Netflix deal in January 2025. It remains unknown where “Raw” will air during these three months, prompting speculation about a possible short-term extension or an accelerated launch of the Netflix partnership in the United States.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, 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.”
Next: Rollins Vows to Defend Title at WrestleMania 40 Despite Bad Injury
