WWE fans have been given more of an insight as to what to expect when the partnership with Netflix begins in January 2025.
Ahead of WWE announcing the media rights for Raw, fans speculated that the flagship show may find its way to Warner Bros. Discovery or possibly ESPN. However, at the start of the year, fans were stunned when it was announced that Netflix would be the new home for WWE Raw all around the world at the start of next year. While the United States will see Raw come to the platform, fans around the world will see Netflix replace the WWE Network with all 3 weekly TV shows and Premium Live Events make their way to the platform.
Appearing at the JPMorgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on May 20th, TKO Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro provided more information regarding the partnership among other growth factors for the company. One of the most exciting announcements is that WWE will produce “a lot of ancillary shoulder programming” as part of the partnership which will include its own version of the popular F1 docuseries Drive To Survive, which provides an all-access look at the previous season along with exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. The show is one of the most watched on Netflix and has been responsible for the exponential growth of F1 in the past few years, including a multi-million dollar media rights deal extension with ESPN.
What Else Was Announced In Regard To WWE & UFC’s Future?
As recapped by F4WOnline, other updates from Shapiro were as follows:
- WWE looks to expand it’s deal with Saudi Arabia over the next 6-12 months, which may lead into a previous statement by the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Turki Alsheikh that Saudi Arabia are interested in hosting a Royal Rumble or a WrestleMania in 2026 or 2027.
- The UFC may be interested in hosting more PPV events in Saudi Arabia depending on the success of their contracted shows.
- The key performance indicators for hosting future PLEs will be attendance, site fees and pricing as key performance indicators. When WWE or UFC comes to town, incentives are expected but they don’t all have to be cash.
Featured image: WWE
