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WRESTLING fans have seen countless tag teams emerge through the ages, but the alliance between WWE and Netflix is poised to be the most impactful collaboration ever!
WWE has been instrumental in kickstarting the careers of numerous incredible superstars, including icons like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena, among others.
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Since the 1980s, weekly broadcasts have delivered exhilarating, action-packed matches consistently throughout the year on terrestrial television.
However, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Netflix, the streaming giant, caught everyone off guard with its announcement of becoming the new home for WWE.
This historic deal is scheduled to kick off in early 2025.
When is WWE transitioning to Netflix?
Starting on Monday, January 6, 2025, Netflix will exclusively feature WWE Raw.
The flagship weekly show will be accessible for streaming in the US, Canada, UK, Latin America, and other regions.
Will WWE PPVs also be available live on Netflix?
In the US, WWE PPVs—known as PLEs—will remain on Peacock, as there is one year remaining on the current contract.
In contrast, all WWE PLEs in the UK will be available live on Netflix, alongside Smackdown and NXT.
What are the reactions to this partnership?
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajara, expressed enthusiasm about introducing WWE to the platform.
Bajara stated: “We are excited to have WWE Raw, which has a large and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix.
“By utilizing our reach, recommendations, and fan engagement alongside WWE, we strive to enhance the enjoyment and value for their audiences and our subscribers.
“Raw represents the pinnacle of sports entertainment, combining extraordinary characters and storylines with live action throughout the year, and we’re delighted about our long-term partnership with WWE.”
Furthermore, TKO President Mark Shapiro echoed similar sentiments, describing the deal as revolutionary.
Shapiro remarked: “This agreement fuses the must-watch WWE product with Netflix’s vast global audience and secures considerable and consistent revenue for years to come.
“Our partnership dramatically reshapes and strengthens the media landscape, vastly extending WWE’s reach, and introduces weekly live viewership to Netflix.”
What is the value of the WWE Raw and Netflix deal?
The arrangement between Netflix and WWE Raw is reported to be worth an astonishing $5 billion!
Sources suggest that the deal holds a value of $500 million per year for ten years.
Additionally, Netflix has the option to exit after the initial five years or extend the partnership for an additional ten years.
