Netflix has made a grand entry into the world of live sports entertainment with a massive 10-year, $5 billion deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Starting in January 2025, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming platform for WWE’s flagship show, Raw, in key regions including the U.S, Canada, Britain, and Latin America.

The deal expands beyond RAW, giving Netflix exclusive rights to broadcast all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., encompassing fan favorites like SmackDown and iconic pay-per-view events such as WrestleMania and Royal Rumble.

Netflix will be developing special WWE documentaries.

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— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) January 23, 2024

Netflix’s Leap into Live Sports Entertainment

TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company, experienced a remarkable 21% boost in early trading following the announcement. The US-based company, a major player in the competitive streaming landscape, remains unwavering despite no immediate stock movement.

With WWE Raw boasting a massive weekly audience of 17.5 million viewers in the U.S., this strategic move aligns with Netflix’s broader strategy to enhance its ad-supported streaming service (AVOD).

Netflix signs a 10-year exclusive deal worth over $5b with the WWE to stream ‘RAW” starting January 2025.

Yes! The deal also includes Wrestlemania and Smackdown.

$5b to watch grown men pretend to beat each other up? Yep, Raw is shown in over 180 countries and 30 languages.

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— Kalu Aja (@FinPlanKaluAja1) January 24, 2024

Nick Khan’s Confidence in the Partnership

Nick Khan, WWE President, expressed confidence in the long-term partnership, stating, “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.”

What lies ahead for Netflix and WWE?

Netflix’s entry into live sports and entertainment represents a strategic progression. The flexible 10-year deal allows Netflix to adapt to the evolving content consumption landscape, with the option to extend for an additional 10 years or opt out after the initial five.

As part of the deal, viewers outside the U.S. will have access to all weekly WWE shows and live events on Netflix, with plans to expand offerings to other countries in the future. This venture isn’t entirely unprecedented for Netflix, which has seen success in sports-related programming with shows like “Drive to Survive” and “Full Swing.”

This colossal partnership marks a significant milestone for both Netflix and WWE, promising an exciting era of exclusive sports entertainment for subscribers worldwide.