WWE sign mega money Netflix deal as flagship Raw show leads 'transformative' £4billion streaming platform switch

WWE and Netflix have struck a blockbuster $5 billion deal to stream their Monday Night Raw programming from January 2025.

The sports entertainment behemoth is set to leave the USA Network behind to make the move to the global streaming heavyweight in a 10-year deal that will see three live programmes a week. For Netflix, it is said that they plan to majorly overhaul their use of technology to allow them to broadcast live sporting events going forward. Under the deal, Netflix will also have the right to stream all WWE programmes outside the US, including SmackDown and WrestleMania.

Both Raw and Smackdown have been shown on TNT Sports in recent years to UK viewers - having been picked up from Sky Sports in 2020. However, the move will strike a blow for traditional operators. TKO - which owns the UFC and WWE - President Mark Shapiro said: “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria added: “We are excited to have WWE Raw , with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix. 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.”

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