Alex Gilbert’s Post

Netflix is getting into wrestling, which is really entertainment, not sports. Netflix announced a ten-year deal with the WWE (part of TKO Group Holdings) to 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. According to a regulatory filing from TKO, the agreement with Netflix is valued at more than $5 billion, with an option for Netflix to extend the pact for an additional ten years or opt out after the initial five years. Based on what I can tell, this currently looks like 3-hours of live programming per week. 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. Netflix says Raw is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, bringing in 17.5 million unique viewers over the year. One of television’s best-performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode airs. WWE has over one billion followers across its social media platforms. Video with WWE's President talking about the deal: https://lnkd.in/eFQbyf9j https://lnkd.in/epG2chDr - #streamingmedia #netflix #wweraw #wrestling

Exciting news in the entertainment industry! I am thrilled to announce that WWE has just secured a groundbreaking deal with Netflix for the exclusive streaming rights to Monday Night RAW starting from January 2025! This landmark partnership marks a significant milestone for WWE fans and streaming enthusiasts alike. With Netflix, a global entertainment powerhouse, now home to one of the most iconic wrestling shows in the world, fans can anticipate unparalleled access to all the action, drama, and larger-than-life moments that define Monday Night RAW. For decades, WWE has captivated audiences with its unparalleled blend of athleticism, storytelling, and spectacle. Now with this collaboration with Netflix, the WWE Universe is set to expand its reach like never before, transcending geographical boundaries and bringing the adrenaline-pumping excitement of Monday Night RAW to millions of households worldwide. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, this partnership promises to redefine the viewing for wrestling enthusiast everywhere, offering them unprecedented access to their favourite superstars, unforgettable matches, jaw-dropping moments, at all their finger tips. I'm incredibly excited about this new chapter for WWE and Netflix, and I can't wait to see how this collaboration will elevate for the world of sports entertainment to even greater heights. Get ready to witness history in the making, because Monday Night RAW is about to get bigger, better, and bolder than ever before! Could we see NXT- WWE's development programme brand and Friday Night SmackDown follow suit? #wwe #netflix #mondaynightraw #entertainmentevolution #nxt #fridaynightsmackdown

Netflix, WWE Sign Long-Term Deal to Bring Live Weekly Show WWE Raw to Streaming Platform Netflix has acquired exclusive rights for the streaming of World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) flagship global wrestling show WWE Raw, which hits US televisions every Monday night at 8pm (Eastern Time). WWE's current deal with NBC expires in October, post which the show will stream exclusively on Netflix, starting January 2025. Although the deal has been signed for streaming rights in the US, Latin America, the UK and Canada, Netflix has said that additional countries and regions will be added over time. WWE broadcast rights in India are currently held by Sony India and it is not yet clear if WWE Raw will make its way to the streaming giant in the country. The deal also means that now all WWE documentaries, shows and specials outside the US, including other weekly shows like SmackDown and NXT, along with the company's live events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble, will now be on Netflix. “We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a prepared statement. “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,” she added. The long-term deal struck between WWE and Netflix, worth $5 billion as per Reuters, means that Raw will leave linear television for the first time in its 31-year history. “In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” WWE President Nick Khan said. “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.” Netflix has lately been trying its luck in the livestreaming sector. A few months ago, the platform streamed its first-ever live event with the comedy special Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, shortly followed by Love Is Blind reunion special in April. However, with WWE Raw, Netflix will be trying their hands on a year-long live-streaming format for the first time. Needless to say, Netflix might have to significantly up its technology to keep up with the seamless live streaming experience for wrestling fans. However, this isn't the first time that Netflix has tried to woo sports enthusiasts. As per Deadline, the streamer was considering a bid for Formula 1 World Championship rights before the racing juggernaut renewed with ESPN last year. Netflix, however, has collaborated with Formula 1 for the Formula 1: Drive to Survive documentary series on its platform. For more news visit www.2yodoindia.com #2YoDoINDIA #WWE #WWERAW #Netflix #WWELiveStream

Netflix x WWE: A Match Made in OTT Heaven Big news today as Netflix and WWE have announced a 10 year, $500m deal to exclusively stream their 3 hour live program, Raw, to Netflix audiences in the US, Canada, UK, Latin America and potentially more. For perspective, this is double the value and double the length of WWE's current deal with NBC Universal for the same program. Meanwhile, Netflix continues to grow their advertiser video on demand offering with now a reported 23m users globally. The company is projected to deliver over $1b in ad revenue this year alone, but needs to continue to diversify their content offering. Raw does just that. It will bring live content to their weekly arsenal (something missing), will drive young eyeballs to their products in key markets and further diversifies their media partners, extending beyond NBC and Fox amongst others. Time will tell how big of a win this will be for both companies, but hard to see why this won't drive immediate value once WWE's current deal with NBC is up in October of this year.

Ronald Cortes/Getty Pictures Within the blink of an eye fixed, issues have modified quickly for WWE on Tuesday morning. For starters, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was added to TKO’s Board of Administrators, formally bringing him again to the WWE fold. Even greater information got here quickly after when WWE introduced that they had reached an settlement to maneuver “WWE Uncooked” to the streaming service Netflix in 2025, formally shifting “Uncooked” off US cable and onto streaming for reportedly $5 billion over 10 years. The US will not be the one place Netflix is residence to “Uncooked” nevertheless. Variety stories that, along with the US, Netflix may have exclusivity to “Uncooked” in Canada, the UK, and Latin America going ahead, with different nations and territories being added as time goes on. As well as, Netflix will develop into the worldwide residence for all different WWE programming, together with “SmackDown,” “NXT,” and PLEs similar to WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam. Whereas Netflix may have worldwide rights to all WWE programming, the deal is not going to have an effect on any present agreements WWE has within the US to air “SmackDown,” “NXT,” and premium stay occasions. WWE had beforehand agreed to new offers for “SmackDown” and “NXT” on the USA Community and CW Community, respectively, beginning in 2025, whereas WWE’s deal to stream PLEs and their video library on Peacock stays in impact till 2026. It is unclear at the moment whether or not WWE will look to increase that take care of Peacock, or will try to maneuver PLEs and their library over to Netflix as soon as the deal expires.

Home of WWE 'Raw' Beginning 2025 Netflix to Become New Home of WWE 'Raw' Beginning 2025 wwe-netflix-new Entertainment STAMFORD, Conn., January 23, 2024 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago. 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. Likewise, 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 award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. “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." #wwe #netflix #streamingmedia #futureoftv #sportsentertainment #sportsindustry #sportsstreaming

Netflix Buys Rights To WWE's 'Raw,' Its First Big Live Event: Netflix has acquired the exclusive rights to Raw as well as other programming from World Wrestling Entertainment, marking the streaming service's first big move into live events. From a report: Raw will air on Netflix in the US, Canada, Latin America and other international markets beginning in January 2025, after the expiration of the WWE's domestic deal with Comcast. The company will also become the exclusive home outside the US for all WWE shows and specials, including Smackdown and NXT, as well as pay-per-view live events like Wrestlemania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. The pay-per-view events will be included at no additional cost for Netflix customers. After attracting more than 200 million customers by offering films and TV shows on-demand, Netflix has now committed to offering three hours of live wrestling a week starting next year. The company hopes the deal will bring in millions of loyal WWE viewers and provide a boost for its fledgling advertising-supported plan. Netflix has been dabbling in live events for the last year, airing a live comedy special, as well as a golf match, but this is the first long-term rights deal. The WWE is the latest major live event to shift from cable TV to streaming. Ultimate Fighting Championship, which like WWE is owned by TKO Group Holdings Inc., offers many of its matches on ESPN+, while the National Football League sold Amazon the rights to Thursday Night Football. A playoff game on Comcast's Peacock just delivered the largest streaming audience for any professional sports event in the US. The deal 10-year deal is valued at more than $5 billion, CNBC reported. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

And your NEW home for WWE's "Monday Night Raw:" Netflix! The entertainment streaming platform scored the 1-2-3 to land exclusive rights to WWE's flagship program for the next decade. The popular longest-running weekly episodic show had been on NBCUniversal's USA Network throughout much of its history, but once media rights were up for grabs, all bets were off. It's a win for Netflix as it scores its first livestreamed sporting event. "Raw" will air exclusively on the platform starting in January 2025 worldwide. Plus, all WWE shows and specials including "Smackdown," "NXT," and the live events will stream on Netflix if you're outside the U.S. — those in the States will still have to use Peacock. It's a deal valued at more than $5 billion! Is its impact similar to Amazon's deal for the National Football League (NFL)'s "Thursday Night Football" program (granted Amazon is paying $1 billion per year for 10 years)? But it's not just about "Raw" for Netflix. As CNBC reports, the agreement allows Netflix to leverage WWE's intellectual property, meaning movies or series could be developed around your favorite wrestler or entertainer. Pay attention to Netflix's quarterly subscriber numbers as that might be a sign as to whether or not wrestling fans stick with "Raw." Side note: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is joining the board of WWE's parent company TKO. https://lnkd.in/gKaF5wvV

Netflix Buys Rights To WWE's 'Raw,' Its First Big Live Event: Netflix has acquired the exclusive rights to Raw as well as other programming from World Wrestling Entertainment, marking the streaming service's first big move into live events. From a report: Raw will air on Netflix in the US, Canada, Latin America and other international markets beginning in January 2025, after the expiration of the WWE's domestic deal with Comcast. The company will also become the exclusive home outside the US for all WWE shows and specials, including Smackdown and NXT, as well as pay-per-view live events like Wrestlemania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. The pay-per-view events will be included at no additional cost for Netflix customers. After attracting more than 200 million customers by offering films and TV shows on-demand, Netflix has now committed to offering three hours of live wrestling a week starting next year. The company hopes the deal will bring in millions of loyal WWE viewers and provide a boost for its fledgling advertising-supported plan. Netflix has been dabbling in live events for the last year, airing a live comedy special, as well as a golf match, but this is the first long-term rights deal. The WWE is the latest major live event to shift from cable TV to streaming. Ultimate Fighting Championship, which like WWE is owned by TKO Group Holdings Inc., offers many of its matches on ESPN+, while the National Football League sold Amazon the rights to Thursday Night Football. A playoff game on Comcast's Peacock just delivered the largest streaming audience for any professional sports event in the US. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Netflix Buys Rights To WWE's 'Raw,' Its First Big Live Event: Netflix has acquired the exclusive rights to Raw as well as other programming from World Wrestling Entertainment, marking the streaming service's first big move into live events. From a report: Raw will air on Netflix in the US, Canada, Latin America and other international markets beginning in January 2025, after the expiration of the WWE's domestic deal with Comcast. The company will also become the exclusive home outside the US for all WWE shows and specials, including Smackdown and NXT, as well as pay-per-view live events like Wrestlemania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. The pay-per-view events will be included at no additional cost for Netflix customers. After attracting more than 200 million customers by offering films and TV shows on-demand, Netflix has now committed to offering three hours of live wrestling a week starting next year. The company hopes the deal will bring in millions of loyal WWE viewers and provide a boost for its fledgling advertising-supported plan. Netflix has been dabbling in live events for the last year, airing a live comedy special, as well as a golf match, but this is the first long-term rights deal. The WWE is the latest major live event to shift from cable TV to streaming. Ultimate Fighting Championship, which like WWE is owned by TKO Group Holdings Inc., offers many of its matches on ESPN+, while the National Football League sold Amazon the rights to Thursday Night Football. A playoff game on Comcast's Peacock just delivered the largest streaming audience for any professional sports event in the US. Read more of this story at Slashdot.