WWE Strikes $5 Billion Deal to Bring Flagship Shows and Live Events to Netflix
In a groundbreaking move, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has officially inked a colossal partnership with streaming giant Netflix. The collaboration, valued at $5 billion over the next decade, will bring WWE’s flagship weekly wrestling program, Monday Night Raw, to the Netflix platform, starting from January 2025. The streaming service will cater to viewers in the US, Canada, UK, and Latin America initially, with plans to expand to additional countries and regions in the coming years.
Under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., WWE’s deal with Netflix goes beyond Monday Night Raw, encompassing other major shows like SmackDown (currently airing on Fox and transitioning to USA Network in October 2024), NXT, and WWE’s premium live events. This includes fan-favorites such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam. Additionally, WWE’s acclaimed documentaries, original series, and upcoming projects will find a new international home on Netflix starting in 2025.
Netflix, with 260.28 million total members globally, views this partnership as a strategic move to enhance its content offerings. In the recently unveiled Q4 2023 earnings report, the streaming giant expressed excitement about WWE’s inclusion in its lineup. “WWE is great sports entertainment with a huge, established and passionate fanbase, and we believe this long-term partnership will be a big value add for our members,” stated Netflix in its Q4 shareholder letter.
The streaming service’s subscriber base grew by 13.1 million in the last quarter of 2023, solidifying its position as a global entertainment powerhouse. Netflix also delighted its audience by announcing the return of the South Korean gripping survival drama series ‘Squid Game’ and the upcoming third season of the Regency-era romantic series ‘Bridgerton.’ The addition of WWE’s thrilling wrestling content is anticipated to further diversify Netflix’s offerings and attract a broader audience base.
