Netflix just cashed in on the wrestling world and captured the rights to WWE Monday Night Raw. The deal is for 10 years and $5 billion. This will see RAW leave linear television for the first time in 31 years.
Beginning in Jan. 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive home of Monday Night Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America. Additional countries and regions will be added over time. Likewise, Netflix will also become the home for all of the companies shows and specials outside the United States. Their award-winning documentaries, original series, and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.
“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix chief content officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”
According to filings from TKO first reported by Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston, Netflix can either pull out of the WWE deal after 5 years or extend their deal by an additional 10 years.
Speculation was abound as to who would land RAW as the broadcasting rights are set to expire this year. SmackDown, WWE’s other weekly episodic television show, landed back into the safe bosom of NBCUniversal’s USA Network, leaving FOX. NXT, the company’s “developmental” brand, landed with the CW in a surprising move that was announced in Nov. With broadcast and cable TV accounted for, the company took the opportunity to move a property to streaming.
“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base.”
