Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Year : 2, Issue: 19
Reuters: Netflix’s next venture into live programming starts Monday when the company streams its first episode of “Raw,” the weekly World Wrestling Entertainment spectacle that has been a staple of US television for three decades.
WWE executives are moving their flagship show from Comcast’s USA Network to the new streaming home with hopes that they can bring in more fans of all ages around the world.
“When you look at Netflix and its global reach and the power of its brand, it was time that our brand met up with theirs,” said WWE President Nick Khan.
Netflix agreed to pay more than $5 billion for rights to show “Raw” and other WWE programming including “Smackdown” and “Wrestlemania” over 10 years, part of the streaming service’s move into live events that are attractive to advertisers.
WWE rose to popularity with colourful characters such as Hulk Hogan and future movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in ongoing storylines that hooked viewers.
Monday’s “Raw” will stream live from outside Los Angeles with appearances from wrestler and actor John Cena, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and others.
