WWE's "Raw" Shifts to Streaming Era with Historic Netflix Deal

In a groundbreaking move, WWE has entered into a transformative deal with Netflix, designating the streaming giant as the exclusive platform for its flagship weekly live pro wrestling show, "Raw," effective January 2025. This significant development marks the first instance in the show's three-decade history that "Raw" will not premiere on a traditional linear television network.

The monumental agreement, valued at an impressive $500 million per year for an entire decade, includes Netflix's option to opt out after the initial five years and the potential to extend the partnership for an additional decade. Comparatively, WWE's current five-year deal with NBCUniversal for US rights to "Raw" is estimated to be in the range of $250 million-$260 million per year.

Expressing excitement about the collaboration, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, conveyed, "We are thrilled to welcome WWE Raw, with its immense and dedicated multigenerational fan base, to Netflix." Bajaria emphasized the alignment between Netflix's extensive reach, personalized recommendations, and the fervent fandom associated with WWE. The collaboration aims to deliver heightened joy and value to diverse audiences.

As of now, WWE's existing arrangement with NBCUniversal has "Raw" scheduled to air on the USA Network until October 2024. However, the specific location for "Raw" between the conclusion of the NBCUniversal deal and the initiation of the Netflix agreement is yet to be determined. This transition to a streaming platform marks a significant shift for WWE, reflecting the evolving landscape of content consumption.