The WWE landscape underwent a significant change on Tuesday, January 23, with the announcement that WWE Raw will stream on Netflix in the United States, Latin America, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and other territories starting in January from 2025, in a 10-year agreement.
This historic move marks the first time WWE's flagship program will leave linear TV in the United States since its inception in January 1993. Additionally, Netflix will stream SmackDown, NXT and premium WWE events globally, including in Brazil the from 2025.
Here are the key points about the WWE-Netflix deal:
Agreement Structure and Duration:
10-year contract with Netflix, valued at $5 billion.
Exclusive streaming of WWE Raw on Netflix in the United States.
SmackDown and NXT will air on USA Network and CW respectively, while premium WWE events will continue on Peacock in the US.
International Broadcast:
Netflix will stream Raw, SmackDown, NXT and premium events internationally, expanding WWE's global audience.
Documentaries and other projects are also in the agreement's plans.
Broadcast in Brazil:
The current agreement with ESPN/Disney runs until June, and according to information from Dave Meltzer, WWE will soon release more information about the future of broadcasting until 2025. WrestleBR contacted sources at ESPN/Disney and WWE , but so far we have not received a response.
Financial Implications:
The exact value of Raw's part in the deal has not yet been disclosed, but estimates suggest it is in line with Wall Street's expectations, at around $387 million per year.
The deal represents a potential 30% increase in U.S. media rights for Raw, compared to the previous $265 million per year deal with USA Network.
Negotiation Process:
Netflix was WWE's preferred choice in negotiations, led by TKO executives and WWE President Nick Khan, along with Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria.
Talks have been held with other potential partners, including Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon and Disney for FX, before finalizing the Netflix deal.
Raw format on Netflix:
Raw will remain a three-hour show on Netflix.
Ad-free subscribers will continue to watch the program uninterrupted, while ad-supported subscribers will see commercials, except in the rare circumstances of interruption due to injury.
Future Considerations:
Netflix can choose to end the agreement after five years, in 2030, or extend it for another 10 years until 2045.
The decision to keep Raw on Mondays is subject to change based on factors such as competition and viewership trends.
WWE Network Transition:
The WWE Network, still active outside the US, will close at the end of 2024.
The WWE library will be integrated into Netflix internationally starting in January 2025.
Content Collaboration:
WWE and Netflix previously collaborated on a documentary series about Vince McMahon, set for release in 2024.
The companies may work on films and other series as part of the deal for Raw and international rights to SmackDown, NXT and premium events.
This historic agreement is seen as transformative, significantly expanding WWE's global reach and ensuring long-term financial stability.
