Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will become the new exclusive home of WWE’s weekly wrestling program Raw in various regions, including the US, Canada, UK, and Latin America. Raw’s departure from linear television after 31 years is notable, and additional countries and regions may eventually be added. Netflix will also broadcast all WWE shows and specials outside the US, including its other weekly shows SmackDown and NXT, as well as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble events.
According to Mark Shapiro, president of WWE’s holding company TKO, “This deal is transformative” and “marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach.” Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, is excited to have WWE Raw on Netflix, saying that “Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year.”
Additionally, WWE President Nick Khan noted that Netflix’s status as “one of the world’s leading entertainment brands” makes it “the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base.” As for WWE news outside of Raw, Cody Rhodes has been named WWE 2K24’s cover star, while the deluxe edition of the game will celebrate the company’s female roster of wrestlers.
Overall, the exclusive deal between Netflix and WWE marks a significant shift away from traditional television broadcasting and towards streaming platforms. Raw’s weekly live appointment viewing will now be available to Netflix subscribers around the world, bolstering the visibility and accessibility of WWE programming
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