Netflix has sealed an exclusive deal that will see WWE’s flagship program Raw and a host of live shows and events hitting its streaming service from January 2025, Netflix announced on Tuesday. The agreement not only includes WWE Raw, a longstanding favorite on the USA Network with 1,600 episodes spanning over three decades and drawing 17.5 million unique visitors yearly but also extends to WWE’s other weekly programs, such as SmackDown and NXT. Moreover, Netflix will be the go-to platform for exclusive streaming of WWE live events outside the US, encompassing marquee spectacles like WrestleMania, Summer Slam, and Royal Rumble.
Valued at a whopping $5 billion, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, this deal kicks off with Netflix subscribers in the US, Canada, the UK, and Latin America, with plans for expansion to more regions and territories in the future, underscoring its “long term” nature. Notably, this collaboration marks Netflix’s venture into live events, particularly within the sports realm. The streaming giant took its first steps into live sports programming with The Netflix Cup in late 2023, where it organized a golf tournament featuring prominent athletes from Formula 1 and professional tennis.
Live sports programming has become a focal point in the streaming industry, with services like Max, Prime Video, Paramount Plus, and Peacock integrating access to a variety of sports events. The financial model varies, with some platforms requiring additional fees for live sports access. The specifics of how Netflix intends to incorporate WWE content into its subscription tiers remain uncertain, including whether it will result in a potential price adjustment or be tied to specific subscription plans. As Netflix subscriptions start at $7 a month in the US, this strategic move marks an ambitious step into the live sports and entertainment arena for the streaming giant.