3 things to watch for as WWE Raw moves to Netflix

The new era of Monday Night Raw from WWE on Netflix starts on January 6. To mark this occasion, WWE has prepared an impressive lineup featuring some of its most prominent stars. As you delve into the initial schedule and consider what’s to come, here are three intriguing aspects that await when WWE moves to a new platform for the first time in thirty years:

1. A revamped viewing experience: With Netflix as its partner, WWE aims to offer an enhanced, seamless streaming experience that makes watching your favorite wrestlers even more enjoyable.

2. Cross-platform integration: Expect the WWE universe to come alive across multiple Netflix platforms and devices, allowing fans to engage with their favorite content anytime, anywhere.

3. Exclusive content: In this new era, WWE promises to deliver never-before-seen content and insights that will provide an unprecedented level of access into the world of professional wrestling.

How Long Will WWE Raw Episodes Last?

For years now, Monday Night Raw has been a three-hour show, and opinions among fans vary as to whether this format was beneficial or detrimental for the program. In late 2024, the show underwent a change, shortening to two hours. With its upcoming move to Netflix, it’s unclear if Monday Night Raw will continue with the two-hour length or revert back to three hours. Meanwhile, SmackDown is planning to extend to a three-hour broadcast starting January 3. It will be intriguing to observe whether WWE experiments with different programming lengths on Netflix, potentially giving certain shows a more expansive feel compared to others.

Advertising Opportunities

Will Netflix’s advertising strategy differ for customers who pay for an “ad-free” subscription and those who don’t? In other words, will some viewers have access to extra content while others see commercials embedded within their shows? Given WWE’s success in generating significant revenue through advertising, it’s reasonable to anticipate that Netflix will innovate and adapt its approach to this question, not just initially, but also by making modifications as needed.

The Cost of Netflix

The trend in entertainment has consistently been an upward movement in streaming costs, which was initially seen as the solution to cable’s problems but has since turned into a dilemma as numerous platforms continue to boost their fees. This has made cable seem like a more attractive option once again. Netflix securing WWE content is a significant addition for them, and it’s anticipated that a large number of viewers will subscribe to the service as a result. If this happens, fans should prepare for a price hike due to market economics, as increasing profits is always the objective. If WWE indeed attracts as many viewers as some predict, Netflix executives may be persuaded to raise their subscription fees based on these numbers.

2025-01-03 19:16