Posted in: Netflix, Sports, TV, WWE | Tagged: Monday Night Raw, netflix, Raw, wrestling, wwe

WWE Raw Moving to Netflix Beginning January 2025 & More: Full Details

Breaking big news this morning, WWE & Netflix announced that Raw will move to the streamer beginning January 2025 - and that's not all...

After the news came down last year that SmackDown was moving to USA Network, the rumblings got really loud over where the future home of the pro wrestling company's television crown jewel would be after its deal with USA Network wrapped (later this year). Well, those rumblings were answered this morning, with WWE (now part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc) and Netflix announcing a long-term deal that will see WWE Raw leave linear television for the first time, premiering on the streaming service in January 2025 in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, and other territories (with additional countries & regions to be added over time). What still isn't clear is what will happen with Raw between October 2024 (the end of the USA Network deal) and January 2025 (the start of the Netflix deal).

If you're an international WWE fan, then Netflix is going to be the new home for all WWE shows & specials outside of the U.S. – including Raw, SmackDown & NXT – as well as Premium Live Events (for example, WrestleMania, SummerSlam & Royal Rumble, and additional programming (documentaries, original series, and more). The news comes after rumors that Netflix and Amazon's Prime Video were both making a hard push to lock in the "Raw" right – with both streamers looking to boost their live-streaming/live-broadcasting components. While Peacock has the domestic rights to WWE, we can't help but think that the streamer is feeling some long-term nervousness right about now.

UPDATE: CNBC is reporting that the deal is for ten years for $5 billion ($500 million/year) – as compared to the reported approximately $250 million/year, five-year deal currently in play with USA Network. Your move, Warner Bros. Discovery's Max & Tony Khan's AEW…

"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." Here's a look at how the streaming service, pro-wrestling company, and Paul "Triple H" Levesque rolled out the news this morning:

"This deal is transformative," said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. "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."

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!