Netflix has been exploring the idea of live-streaming shows for years, and like a chair shot to the back of the head, the company revealed Tuesday it struck a deal to live-stream WWE Raw for the next decade.
The streaming company’s agreement with WWE’s parent company, TKO Holdings, is worth more than $5 billion, according to CNBC. Starting January 2025, Netflix will stream the weekly Raw show for 10 years with the option to extend it for another decade or drop the show after five years.
Raw currently airs on the USA Network for three hours every Monday night. The show has been on the network for almost its entire 31-year run except for five years when the WWE moved the show to TNN/Spike TV, now known as the Paramount Network.
Along with streaming WWE’s flagship show, Netflix will also host the pro wrestling company’s other shows for subscribers outside of the U.S. This includes SmackDown and NXT, as well as the Premium Live Events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and the Royal Rumble. Documentaries, original series, and other projects will also be available on Netflix.
WWE confirmed its Friday night weekly show, SmackDown, will make the move from Fox to USA Network next year. NXT, its show featuring newer wrestlers, will also make the move to the CW next year.
This Netflix deal appears to be a Tombstone Piledriver on Peacock. The streaming service has been desperate to avoid a tap-out as of late as it struggles to grow subscriber numbers. There have been attempts to grow subscriber numbers by airing NFL games live, but last week’s playoff game of the Miami Dolphins taking on the Kansas City Chiefs appeared to do decent numbers but it’s unclear if this will ultimately constitute a big win for Peacock.
