After years of controversy, drama and ratings, WWE begins its Netflix era
As a long-time fan of WWE and a tech enthusiast, I must say that this partnership between WWE’s “Raw” and Netflix is nothing short of exhilarating! Having grown up watching Hulk Hogan and The Rock on TV, it’s fascinating to see how the wrestling world has evolved into a global phenomenon.
The idea of having “Raw” on Netflix, with its massive international reach, opens up a whole new world for wrestling fans like me. I remember waiting eagerly every week for the latest episode to air, and now, with this partnership, we can binge-watch our favorite superstars whenever we want!
What’s more exciting is that Netflix’s entry into live events has been quite impressive so far. From Chris Rock comedy specials to NFL games, they’ve managed to capture the attention of millions. The Paul vs. Tyson boxing match was just another feather in their cap, drawing 65 million concurrent streams!
However, I must admit that there were some technical issues during the event. But let’s face it, even if the stream blinked a couple of times, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! After all, it’s not every day you get to see Jake Paul and Mike Tyson go toe-to-toe in the ring!
Lastly, I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of Drew McIntyre saying that his personal life might be over due to this partnership. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if he turns up on other Netflix shows! After all, who knows what surprises await us in this ever-changing digital landscape?
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation as the iconic World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) prepares to step into a fresh ring – Netflix, starting next week. Over the years, WWE has weathered numerous scandals and industry-shaking changes, but its resilience and enduring appeal have never wavered. Now, it’s about to take on a new challenge, and I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds!
Beginning next week at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, the well-known WWE weekly wrestling show “Raw” will only be available to stream on a major streaming platform within the U.S., signifying the first instance in over three decades that it won’t air on traditional television channels.
In a strategic expansion for Netflix, they are making strides to boost their live TV service, aiming to attract more viewers, subscribers, and ad revenue. Meanwhile, the opportunity presents itself for WWE to tap into a vast international viewership.
Speaking about the move, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque (a veteran wrestler himself), stated that transitioning to Netflix – boasting an impressive 283 million worldwide subscribers – represents a significant shift, even calling it a “game-changer,” for the WWE franchise.
At a recent gathering in Hollywood, Levesque stated, “The potential and ability to broaden our audience, as you can see from their shows and the creative liberty they enjoy, is revolutionary for us. This transformation we’re witnessing will eventually be known as the ‘Netflix Era’, marking the significant shift that’s taking place.
Introduced in 1993, “Raw” was among the pioneering wrestling shows on television and cable networks, according to David Meltzer, a renowned wrestling historian and the editor-in-chief of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who has extensively documented the WWE for many years. This groundbreaking program played a significant role in the surge of popularity for the genre.
Raw,” is famed for creating oversized personalities akin to Hulk Hogan, and dramatic narratives reminiscent of soap operas. Notable wrestlers like The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Triple H, and Stone Cold Steve Austin saw their careers take off during the ‘Attitude Era,’ which spanned from the late 90s to early 2000s. Some of the most illustrious figures, such as Johnson and John Cena, found stardom beyond wrestling in films and television.
Meltzer referred to the WWE’s agreement with Netflix as a significant “advancement” in their development, acknowledging that this move is crucial since many younger viewers are shifting from conventional TV networks towards streaming platforms.
He suggested that, given the decrease in television viewing, it might be advantageous to invest in both cable and streaming services. This way, you can cater to various audiences; some may not have a subscription to Netflix but could still access the USA Network, thereby ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Hollywood Inc.
Starting from January 2025, the popular WWE ‘Raw’ professional wrestling series will no longer air on traditional TV broadcasts. Instead, it will become an exclusive streaming event only available on Netflix in both North America and the United Kingdom.
In a regulatory filing, it’s stated that Netflix’s 10-year contract is estimated to be worth over $5 billion. After five years, Netflix can choose to either end the agreement or renew it for another decade, as per the contract’s conditions. Under this deal, Netflix holds exclusive rights to the show “Raw” in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, and they will also have global streaming privileges for the show.
2023 saw WWE announcing a five-year broadcast agreement for their primary weekly show “SmackDown.” This deal will see the program air on USA Network once its current contract with Fox ends. Additionally, under this Netflix arrangement, the streaming service will host various other WWE shows and specials globally, including “SmackDown,” “NXT,” “WrestleMania,” “SummerSlam,” and “Royal Rumble,” outside the United States.
In simpler terms, Brandon Ross, an analyst from LightShed Partners in New York, stated that there will be significantly more people watching WWE worldwide than there ever was before.
In simpler terms, Ross mentioned that placing “Raw” on Netflix brings about a sense of stability during the streaming age. This move might stimulate further fan interest, enabling WWE to generate additional income through live events and sponsorship deals.
Netflix officials mentioned that the devoted, multi-generational fanbase of WWE was appealing to them. Additionally, “Raw” complements Netflix’s existing live content, such as NFL football games, boxing bouts, and stand-up comedy performances, all of which have a strong viewership potential and attract numerous advertisers.
The move to Netflix is the latest in a string of changes for WWE in recent years.
By September 2023, the proprietor of the talent agency, Endeavor, had taken over the WWE and combined it with the mixed martial arts league, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This merger formed a massive conglomerate worth $21.4 billion in the field of fighting sports and entertainment, known as TKO Group Holdings.
As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: “In the world of entertainment, I’m part of a dynamic company called TKO, where I serve alongside Ari Emanuel, who leads Endeavor. Dana White, UFC’s esteemed president, holds the position of CEO. Notably, Vince McMahon, the legendary wrestling impresario and former WWE CEO, has been appointed as our Executive Chairman.
In January 2024, McMahon, who is often recognized as a key figure behind WWE’s achievements, relinquished his position the following day after Janel Grant, a former employee of the company, filed a lawsuit against it, McMahon, and John Laurinaitis, the ex-head of talent relations. The allegations included sexual assault, trafficking, and emotional abuse. According to Grant, McMahon had promised her a $3 million payment in return for her silence.
During the filing of Grant’s case, a representative from McMahon stated to The Times that Grant’s lawsuit was “full of falsehoods, fictitious events that didn’t happen, and a malicious twisting of reality.
TKO has said that McMahon is no longer involved in the company.
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Investigations into secret payments. A new sports colossus. Inside Vince McMahon’s last stand
Over the course of a contentious professional journey, McMahon has consistently overcome obstacles and navigated multiple scandals in order to establish the biggest professional wrestling empire on a global scale.
Earlier this year, McMahon resigned from his position as WWE’s CEO in June 2022, after it became public that he had paid millions to various women from 2006 to 2022 in order to keep quiet claims of sexual misconduct against him.
According to regulatory filings and a WWE board investigation, Linda McMahon’s estranged husband, Vince, was found to have made at least $14.6 million in payments related to alleged misconduct charges. However, Vince has denied any claims of sexual misconduct. In early 2023, he resumed his position on the company’s board as they considered various strategic options. Notably, Linda McMahon is now President-elect Trump’s selection for the Education Secretary role.
Regardless of any debates surrounding it, WWE has managed to persist and generate income. In fact, last year, their revenue soared to an impressive $1.3 billion, marking a 3% increase, as stated in their 2023 annual report. Moreover, since its initial public offering, TKO’s stock value has skyrocketed by 43%. The executives are optimistic that the Netflix deal will maintain this positive trajectory.
According to WWE’s President, Nick Khan, several crucial events transpired that led to the Netflix partnership, with Bela Bajaria, who was appointed as Netflix’s Chief Content Officer in 2023, playing a significant role in this process.
Sports
58-year-old former boxing legend Mike Tyson was defeated by YouTube personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul during a heavyweight match held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on a Friday evening.
For Bajaria, this instance felt like coming full circle. Back when her family relocated from London to L.A., she was a child and would often watch wrestling matches with her grandpa, particularly admiring “Andre the Giant” – a favorite of his within the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, as it was known then).
So when TKO executives approached her about a year and half ago about WWE, she was interested.
Initially, reminiscing like a devoted fan, an onslaught of nostalgic recollections surfaced, Bajaria shared during a recent press gathering. As I delved deeper into the world of professional wrestling, my conviction that this idea might indeed be successful grew stronger.
The show ‘Raw’ could potentially bring a large viewership to Netflix. On average, it attracts over 1.7 million viewers per week in the U.S., as reported by LightShed Partners. The series boasts over 1,600 episodes and has managed to pull in stars like Bad Bunny to take part in its matches.
At a recent gathering, Netflix’s Vice President of Nonfiction Series and Sports, Brandon Riegg, remarked that WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has one of the longest-lasting and robust programs in the industry. He believes this aligns well with many of our current programming, and it also opens up a new audience segment that we currently don’t cater to as extensively.
When it debuts on Netflix, WWE “Raw” will remain a family-friendly, multi-generational show, according to Khan. He emphasized that Netflix’s global reach was particularly appealing. “We can’t simply be an American company, broadcasting American content, and expecting people to watch,” Khan said. “We need to be actively present.
WWE star Drew McIntyre said “Raw” going to Netflix could boost the careers of top pro wrestlers.
McIntyre stated during an interview that our product is enormous, and he’s intrigued to discover how it will gain traction, particularly in the United States, and where we might first notice WWE stars appearing, possibly on other Netflix productions.
He mentioned that he feels there might be an end to his life beyond home, but he remains hopeful. As for wrestling, he wants it to grow as much as possible, and whatever happens, that’s alright.
Hollywood Inc.
During Netflix’s Paul vs. Tyson boxing event, there were significant tech problems. They are making efforts to enhance the live streaming experience for their audience prior to the upcoming highly anticipated NFL games.
Last year, Netflix ventured into hosting live events on its streaming platform, starting with a Chris Rock comedy special. Since then, they have broadcast sports tournaments, a hot dog eating competition, Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Tom Brady roast, NFL football games, and even live-streamed NFL matches on Christmas Day, attracting over 30 million viewers worldwide on average.
Last month, Netflix faced criticism due to buffering problems during the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson boxing match. However, Netflix swiftly addressed these issues and managed to provide a stable viewing experience for most of its subscribers during the event. The match, featuring Tyson and Paul, attracted an impressive 65 million simultaneous streams. Since then, Netflix has been making improvements to its systems in order to more effectively handle live events in the future.
During a media gathering held last month, Netflix executives brought up the matter, to which Levesque expressed that he was unfazed by it.
Levesque jokingly remarked, ‘If it flashes a few times and we’re dealing with 60 million, I’ll be satisfied.’
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2025-01-03 14:33