WWE’s iconic flagship show, “Raw,” is set for a historic shift as it moves exclusively to Netflix starting in January 2025. The sports and entertainment giant announced a groundbreaking deal with Netflix, valued at $5 billion over 10 years, offering a new era for wrestling entertainment.
The agreement allows Netflix the option to opt out after the initial five years or extend the exclusive streaming partnership for an additional decade. WWE’s current television deal with NBCUniversal, worth $250 million-$260 million per year, will continue until October 2024. The specific destination for “Raw” post-USA Network is yet to be determined before its Netflix debut.
In addition to “Raw,” Netflix will stream all WWE shows and specials, including premium live events such as Wrestlemania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. The deal marks a significant shift for WWE, which has aired “Raw” on linear television since its debut in January 1993 on the USA Network.
TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro highlighted the transformative nature of the deal, stating, “This is a super game changer.” Drawing parallels to pivotal moments in sports media history, he likened the move to ESPN and Turner bringing NFL to cable in 1987 and Rupert Murdoch introducing football to Fox in 1994. Shapiro sees “Raw” on Netflix as a new chapter starter in the evolving landscape of sports media.
“Raw” has been a staple on USA Network since its return in 2005, garnering 17.5 million unique viewers annually, according to Netflix. Meanwhile, WWE’s “SmackDown,” currently airing on Fox, is set to move to USA Network in October under a five-year, $1.4 billion deal with NBCUniversal.
In conjunction with the Netflix announcement, Dwayne Johnson, popularly known as “The Rock,” has joined the board of directors of TKO Group, the company overseeing WWE and UFC. Johnson, a WWE star turned Hollywood actor, will gain full ownership of his wrestling moniker, “The Rock.” As part of the agreement, TKO Group will compensate him with $30 million in stock for merchandising and promotional rights.
Expressing his motivation for the role, Johnson stated, “I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment.” He emphasized his dedication to representing athletes and performers, drawing from his personal experience in the industry.
