For the first time since the program was launched 31 years ago, WWE’s “Raw” (aka “Monday Night Raw”) will no longer be available to watch on linear television starting in January 2025.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Netflix had signed a long-term deal with the WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., wherein the streamer will become the exclusive home of the sports entertainment series in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time.
In addition to landing “Raw,” the world’s leading entertainment service will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of “Raw” and WWE’s other weekly shows – “SmackDown” and “NXT” – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. (Peacock holds domestic rights through 2026.)
“This deal is transformative,” said TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro. “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.”
“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “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.”
“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “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.”
Per Deadline, the deal between the WWE and Netflix for “Raw” is said to be worth more than $5 billion which will keep the series on the streamer for at least 10 years.
In September, the WWE extended its domestic media rights deal with NBCUniversal that will see “SmackDown” leaving its current home on FOX starting in October 2024 and moving to USA Network through a five-year agreement. At the time, a deal for “Raw” had not been announced, but several content partners were circling bids for the top-rated series.
WWE
As for “NXT,” that show is heading to The CW starting in October 2024 under a five-year deal between the fifth-ranked English language broadcaster and the WWE. The series had been airing on USA Network.
According to the WWE, “Raw” has produced 1,600 episodes to date and has become synonymous with sports entertainment.
Since its debut in 1993, “Raw” has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of such stars as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.
Currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year, “Raw” is one of television’s best-performing programs in the key Adults 18-49 sales demographic. In fact, “Raw” trends on X (formerly Twitter) 52 weeks a year during each new episode’s live broadcast. The WWE has over one billion followers across its social platforms.