At the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, & Telecom Conference, TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro discussed the deal that WWE and Netflix reached to move Monday Night RAW to the streaming service in January 2025.
Shapiro revealed that they had originally talked about NXT going to Netflix. He said,
“When we met with Netflix, Apple, and other streaming platforms, the conversation always started with, ‘When are the PLEs up?’ When we met on Raw, always started with that. ‘We’re not here to talk about the PLEs.’ We are in the sense that it’s part of the narrative. When you watch Raw and SmackDown, things weave in and out of the PLEs. It’s an important part of the narrative concept. ‘Why wouldn’t Netflix be there?’ Let’s just get out of the gate with Raw strong. We have time. Let’s see how that partnership goes and that marketing delivers and the viewership shows up and we’re monetizing it from a sponsorship, consumer product, site fee standpoint, and then we’ll talk about where it goes, if it doesn’t go back to Peacock. We’re patient and that has bode well for us.”
He continued, “We had a lot of pressure when we announced the SmackDown deal. Market was freaking out. “Raw, NXT, why didn’t they announce it? They don’t have anybody. There is no demand.’ There was pressure, but we said we were going to be patient and it was going to work in our favor. It over-delivered on our expectations. Never did I think Netflix was coming in. Not in my wildest dreams. When we first started talking to Netflix, it was frankly about NXT. It wasn’t even about Raw. That just turned into a bigger conversation. Then the Raw conversation became a global conversation.”
In a recent interview at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, & Telecom Conference, TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro shed light on the groundbreaking deal between WWE and Netflix. This deal will see Monday Night RAW, one of WWE’s flagship shows, move to the popular streaming service in January 2025.
Shapiro revealed that the initial discussions with Netflix revolved around the possibility of NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, making its way to the streaming platform. However, as talks progressed, the conversation expanded to include Monday Night RAW, ultimately leading to a global partnership.
When discussing the negotiations with various streaming platforms, Shapiro emphasized the importance of the PLEs (Pay-Per-View Live Events) in WWE’s storytelling. He mentioned that while the focus was not solely on the PLEs, they played a significant role in the narrative concept of shows like Raw and SmackDown. This aspect made Netflix an attractive option for WWE, as it provided an opportunity to weave these events seamlessly into their programming.
The decision to bring Monday Night RAW to Netflix was not without its challenges. Shapiro acknowledged the pressure WWE faced after announcing their deal with SmackDown. Critics questioned why Raw and NXT were not part of the initial announcement, suggesting a lack of demand for these shows. However, WWE remained patient and confident in their strategy, which ultimately paid off.
Shapiro expressed his surprise at how the discussions with Netflix evolved. Initially focused on NXT, the talks soon expanded to include Monday Night RAW. This unexpected turn opened up a global conversation, highlighting the potential of a partnership between WWE and Netflix.
The move to Netflix represents a significant shift for WWE, as it allows them to tap into a massive subscriber base and reach a broader audience. With Netflix’s global presence and reputation for producing high-quality content, WWE stands to benefit from increased viewership and monetization opportunities.
While specifics about the deal have not been disclosed, the partnership between WWE and Netflix is undoubtedly a game-changer for the wrestling industry. It marks a significant step towards the digital transformation of sports entertainment, as traditional broadcasting platforms make way for streaming services.
As fans eagerly await the arrival of Monday Night RAW on Netflix in 2025, this groundbreaking deal sets the stage for a new era in WWE’s programming. With the potential for innovative storytelling and increased accessibility, the partnership between WWE and Netflix promises to deliver an exciting viewing experience for wrestling enthusiasts worldwide.