WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, will be leaving cable television and moving exclusively to Netflix starting from January 2024. The historic deal, worth more than $5 billion, is expected to benefit both WWE and its fans in terms of audience reach, revenue, and convenience.
WWE’s Major Streaming Deal with Netflix
WWE and Netflix announced their partnership on Monday, January 22, 2024, in a joint press release. The deal will see Monday Night Raw, which has been airing on USA Network since 1993, move to Netflix as a weekly live stream. The deal also includes the rights to stream WWE’s pay-per-view events, such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam, as well as WWE’s original programming, such as WWE 24, WWE Chronicle, and WWE Untold.
The deal is reportedly worth more than $5 billion over five years, making it one of the most lucrative sports streaming contracts in history. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon said that the deal was a “game-changer” for WWE and that Netflix was the “perfect partner” to showcase WWE’s “unique blend of action, entertainment, and storytelling”.
Benefits of the Deal for WWE and Fans
The deal is expected to have several benefits for both WWE and its fans. One of the main advantages is the potential for wider audience reach, as Netflix has more than 200 million subscribers worldwide, compared to USA Network’s 86 million households in the US. This means that WWE can tap into new markets and demographics, especially in regions where Netflix is more popular than cable TV, such as Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Another benefit is the increased revenue for WWE, as the deal will provide a steady and substantial source of income for the company, which has been struggling with declining ratings and live attendance in recent years. The deal will also allow WWE to invest more in its talent, production, and creative direction, as well as to explore new opportunities for cross-promotion and collaboration with Netflix’s original content.
A third benefit is the convenient streaming option for fans, as they will be able to watch Monday Night Raw and other WWE shows and events on any device, at any time, and from anywhere, as long as they have a Netflix subscription. Fans will also be able to enjoy WWE’s content in high-definition quality, without any commercials or interruptions. Moreover, fans will have access to Netflix’s vast library of movies and shows, which may include some WWE-related titles in the future.
