As a seasoned industry insider with years of experience under my belt, I find it fascinating to witness such monumental deals being struck between titans like WWE and Netflix. The fact that this collaboration is not just a one-off but a long-term partnership, speaks volumes about the faith these giants have in each other’s ability to deliver top-notch content to millions of fans worldwide.
You won’t find a more unfiltered version of “Raw” when the flagship WWE series shifts to Netflix next month, as indicated by WWE president/chief revenue officer Nick Khan and chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque during a press briefing. They clarified that “WWE Monday Night Raw” will retain its “TV-PG” content rating in its new streaming home.
Levesque stated that it’s a secure environment suitable for all, including families and children, to watch the content. This won’t alter in the future.
Khan mentioned rumors suggesting that joining a streamer could enable “Raw” to test the limits of content more, but emphasized that there’s no basis for such assumptions: “There’s been talk online about it becoming an ‘R’ or ‘X’ rating. That’s not in the cards,” he said. “It will remain family-friendly, appealing to a wide range of ages and advertisers. That won’t change.
Khan noted that any changes would primarily focus on making “Raw” accessible globally through Netflix, thereby potentially enhancing a more diverse, international feel. He explained, “Countries outside the United States hold just as much importance to us as those within. We have specific countries we prioritize with Netflix. You’ll notice more of that global focus in the future.
Khan, Levesque, Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria, Netflix non-fiction series and sports VP Brandon Riegg and WWE commentator Michael Cole met with the press to lay out their plans for the sports entertainment franchise on Netflix — which kicks off on Monday, Jan. 6, with the live launch of “WWE Raw” from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Pat McAfee will return as commentator (having been off the show since August) alongside Cole.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share the thrilling news: Khan has announced that the upcoming Jan. 6 premiere at the Intuit Dome, streamed by Netflix, has smashed our US arena ticket record with over six weeks to go! And let me tell you, it’s not even coming close to selling out. So, what’s behind this incredible demand? It’s all about Netflix – the excitement for this show is palpable!
At the same time, in addition to discussing if the content might vary at a streamer, WWE and Netflix officials were also inquired about the potential for technical issues similar to those encountered during the latest match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.
During every live event we organize, our aim is always to ensure everything runs flawlessly for each and every one of our participants. This is crucial, I believe, as it’s also worth noting that this particular event had a staggering 65 million simultaneous streamers. The scope was immense, which is fantastic, as it shows the high level of interest in the event. However, you can’t truly grasp these challenges until you actually attempt to deliver content to such a massive audience simultaneously.
In essence, you made a large attempt, and our teams and engineers swiftly reacted, managing to steady it, with several members quickly restoring operations,” she continued, mentioning that Netflix’s Christmas NFL doubleheader will serve as the next challenge. “We’ve gained valuable insights from these experiences, and we’ve all been diligently preparing for the NFL and Beyoncé. We are fully prepared and eager for the WWE.
Regarding WWE’s perspective, Levesque commented, “I can simply put it this way: If it flashes a few times and we manage to make 60 million dollars, I’m satisfied with that.
Regarding anticipated audience numbers, Bajaria noted that over the years, the WWE has changed networks multiple times with shows like “Raw” and “Smackdown,” yet these transitions haven’t seemed to affect the viewership negatively.
For years, the WWE has consistently managed to retain their viewers, with them returning week after week and year after year. Even when they shifted from Syfy to Fox and then to USA Network, the audience remained loyal. The ratings of the WWE are remarkably consistent. In 2020, they drew close to 2 million total viewers on USA, and four years later, the numbers have barely changed. Can you believe how unusual that is?
For the first time since its initial broadcast over 30 years ago, ‘Raw’ is departing from linear television. However, judging by past trends, WWE enthusiasts are likely to follow, and for the very first time, millions of fans worldwide will have the opportunity to enjoy it all on a single platform. We also anticipate attracting new fans with this setup.
Khan pointed out the sequence of various WWE agreements over the last twenty years, specifically the shift in 2000 when “Raw” was transferred from USA Network to TNN (later returning to USA in 2005).
Originally, WWE aired on The Nashville Network. This then transformed into The National Network, then TNN, and later Spike. Currently, it’s known as Paramount. He jokingly pointed out that it doesn’t matter much anymore.
Simultaneously, “WWE Smackdown” shifting to USA Network this fall and “WWE NXT” airing on The CW, the wrestling entertainment company is still generating content for various platforms. Their premium live events (previously known as pay-per-view) along with their library content can be found on Peacock. However, the agreement with Peacock ends in 2026, and it’s anticipated that this package will transition to Netflix following that period.
Khan stated that Peacock, our current collaborator, has consistently respected the rights of incumbents in their partnership. Therefore, we plan to discuss this further with them in 2025, and we’ll see what changes might occur.
Moving ahead, Netflix holds global permits for the remaining WWE content, even the high-value live broadcasts.
Bajaria stated that beyond the U.S., we’ll host events like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and many more. It’s hard for us to fathom, but WWE fans who have had to search in various places will find the convenience exhilarating.
Speaking as an avid fan, let me clarify something: The impact of this event isn’t fully grasped by many. You see, globally, outside the U.S., we’ll be receiving everything simultaneously on that date. This means I can watch whatever I want, whenever I want. It’s a total game-changer!
Besides Bajaria and Riegg expressing their intentions to create documentaries and series related to WWE, they’re also gearing up to produce the upcoming film “Little Brother,” starring WWE celebrity John Cena and Eric André. Notably, this movie aligns with Cena’s WWE farewell tour, which plays a significant role in the 2025 WWE strategy.
Bajaria stated that they would’ve produced a John Cena film regardless of their WWE connection. He also mentioned there’s potential for similar projects, but only if they are high-quality and have the potential to become someone’s favorite show or movie. In other words, it has to be good.
However, Riegg humorously suggested, “Maybe we could create a WWE-style show titled ‘Is It Real or Is It Cake?’ That seems fitting.
Khan acknowledged Riegg for initiating the WWE agreement well ahead of time, when Netflix wasn’t involved in live TV yet. Approximately around 2018 or 2019, Riegg recommended that Khan secure the international rights from WWE, with the expectation that Netflix might enter the market someday. “Then, all of a sudden, last year, we met up and within a month, we sealed the deal. It happened quite quickly,” Khan stated.
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2024-12-04 17:18