WWE to Stream on Netflix India: A Game-Changing Move

In a major shift for Indian sports entertainment, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) will transition its media rights from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) to Netflix India starting April 2025. This move comes as part of a global 10-year, $5 billion deal between WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, and the streaming giant, marking a significant leap for both WWE and Netflix in the sports entertainment space.

WWE's journey with Ten Sports began in 2002, cementing its presence on Indian television for over two decades. SPNI acquired Ten Sports from Zee Entertainment in 2016 for $385 million, rebranding it as Sony Ten. The current WWE-SPNI agreement, renewed in 2020 for an estimated $180-$210 million over five years, is set to expire, paving the way for the Netflix collaboration.

Starting January 2025, Netflix will exclusively stream WWE’s flagship shows—Raw, SmackDown, and NXT—in major markets, including the United States, Canada, the UK, and South America. By April 2025, the deal will expand to India, a vital market in WWE's global growth strategy.

This partnership represents Netflix India's first foray into sports entertainment, reflecting the streaming platform's ambition to diversify its offerings. Globally, Netflix has been exploring live sports, with collaborations like those with the National Football League (NFL). However, India’s sports market, dominated by cricket, has largely remained untouched by Netflix until now.

The shift to Netflix signals WWE’s intention to tap into India's growing digital audience, which stands at 547 million users. Despite this, linear television remains dominant in the country, with a massive 900 million viewers, posing a potential challenge in transitioning WWE’s loyal fanbase to a subscription-based streaming platform.

Experts believe this move could redefine the landscape of sports broadcasting in India. While Netflix offers WWE a broader global reach and an opportunity to innovate with its streaming model, convincing Indian audiences to shift from traditional TV to on-demand streaming may be a hurdle.

Netflix's collaboration with WWE could, however, attract younger, tech-savvy audiences, further cementing the streaming giant’s foothold in India’s competitive entertainment market.

India remains one of WWE’s most significant international markets. The new partnership aligns with WWE’s strategy to expand its fanbase and introduce its content to newer audiences through innovative distribution channels. Instagram posts by WWE announcing the deal have already generated buzz among fans, signaling excitement for the upcoming changes.