WWE's Raw begins a controversial 10-year streaming deal with Netflix

In a notable shift within the entertainment and wrestling industries, WWE signed a landmark deal with Netflix to move its flagship program 'Raw' to the streaming platform. The 1,650th episode aired from the Intuit Dome near Los Angeles, marking the beginning of this new partnership. This switch ends a long-standing relationship WWE had with cable television, reflecting broader trends in media consumption as audiences increasingly turn to streaming platforms for content. The deal, estimated to surpass $5 billion, not only grants Netflix exclusive streaming rights for 'Raw' but also extends to other WWE programming including 'Smackdown', 'NXT', and major live events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam. The streaming giant boasts an extensive international reach, with 282.3 million subscribers across more than 190 countries, making the partnership mutually beneficial. Béla Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer, emphasized the blend of great storytelling, character development, and the unique WWE fan culture as key factors in pursuing this partnership. Brandon Riegg, vice president of nonfiction series and sports at Netflix, highlighted the value of WWE's stable audience and the social media engagement surrounding the events, which made this collaboration a strategic fit for the platform's future programming schedule. Previously, ‘Smackdown’ made its transition to USA Network while ‘NXT’ shifted to CW three months ahead of the 'Raw' premiere on Netflix. This transition happens in a media environment where traditional television viewership has declined, and streaming has gained popularity. Given the massive success of WWE’s live events overseas, combined with its thrilling blend of action and drama, Netflix aims to leverage this fanbase and further monetize WWE content globally. The debut episode of 'Raw' on Netflix aimed to deliver a premium experience, especially with the farewell tour of WWE superstar John Cena, who is scheduled for three main event matches before retiring at year-end. There is also speculation about possible appearances by legendary figures like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, hinting at exciting moments for the audience anticipated to tune in. This partnership signifies a monumental change not just in how wrestling content is consumed, but also illustrates the ongoing evolution of entertainment in response to changing viewer habits.