Netflix to Exclusively Stream WWE Raw From January 2025

Netflix will exclusively stream WWE Raw from January 2025 as part of a long-term partnership between the streamer and TKO, the company formed when WWE merged with UFC.

The deal means Raw, the WWE’s flagship weekly program, leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago. Raw is currently the most-watched show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year.

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time.

As part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.

Hollywood Reporter said Netflix’s WWE deal is for 10 years and is valued at about $5 billion. According to the website, Peacock will remain the home of WWE premium events in the U.S. for now. USA Network is set to take over Smackdown beginning later this year, with WWE NXT moving to The CW.

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “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."

Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson has joined the board of directors of TKO. Johnson, who broke out as wrestling star The Rock in the 1990s, has gained ownership of the trademarked name ‘The Rock’ as part of a services and merchandising agreement with the WWE, Variety reported.

Johnson is rumored to be set for a return to the WWE for a match against current WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. If true, it would be his first match in WWE since 2016.

Image credit: Photo by Alejandro Salazar/PX Images/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.