It is a mammoth deal that Netflix has just secured. The platform has secured a groundbreaking deal to become the exclusive home of WWE’s Monday Night Raw, marking the streaming giant’s entry into sports entertainment. After years of publicly stating its ambivalence toward pursuing sports rights, Netflix has committed to a 10-year deal, reportedly exceeding $5 billion, beginning in January 2025. The agreement covers the U.S., Canada, UK, and Latin America, with additional territories expected to be included over time. Sadly, India is not there in the deal as of now but as the territories expand, so will the chances of Indians enjoying the content.
The deal not only includes the flagship Raw program but also grants Netflix exclusive rights to all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including SmackDown and NXT. Netflix will stream WWE’s live events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.
But, they are not something Netflix is known for…right?
So the platform will continue being Netflix while making documentaries, original series, and upcoming projects available on demand globally, excluding the U.S. where Peacock holds the rights. So, India finds a place in this department here.
Netflix’s foray into live sports entertainment is actually huge. Firstly, it includes Formula 1 rights and experimenting with made-for-streaming events.
It’s just a little time before we see some wrestling action on Netflix.