In an unprecedented move, Netflix has inked a massive 10-year, $5 billion agreement to become the exclusive streaming home of WWE’s Raw, starting January 2025. This landmark deal signifies a major shift in sports entertainment broadcasting, as WWE Raw will depart from traditional linear television for the first time in its 31-year history.
Announced on Tuesday, the deal positions Netflix to pay $500 million annually to stream the iconic wrestling program, which currently airs on USA Network as a three-hour show. This strategic move grants Netflix exclusive rights to showcase WWE Raw in key markets including the US, Canada, the UK, and Latin America, with plans to expand to more regions over time.
Variety reports that this deal is a significant triumph for Netflix, marking a pivotal programming shift. The streaming giant, with its “extraordinary global reach,” was a natural choice for WWE, considering the steady flow of revenue and Netflix’s expansive subscriber base of 247 million as of Q3.
In addition to WWE Raw, Netflix’s agreement encompasses a broader scope of WWE content. Outside the US, Netflix will become the platform for all WWE shows and specials, including Smackdown, NXT, Wrestlemania, SummerSlam, and the Royal Rumble. Fans can also expect to see WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series, and forthcoming projects exclusively on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.
This agreement not only solidifies Netflix’s position in the sports entertainment domain but also signals its growing interest in live sports programming. In their announcement, Netflix highlighted the immense popularity of WWE Raw, which is “currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, bringing in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year.”
Overall, the Netflix-WWE partnership is set to revolutionize how wrestling entertainment is consumed, offering fans a new, expansive platform to engage with their favorite wrestling content. This deal is a testament to the evolving landscape of media consumption, where streaming services continue to disrupt traditional broadcasting models.
