WWE expands live events on Netflix for bigger stage

WWE is making a big move to reach an even broader audience by bringing its live show “Raw” to Netflix next month. This switch means that the wrestling entertainment giant will now have the potential to connect with around 283 million subscribers globally on Netflix, compared to 688,000 viewers on the USA Network, its previous home.

For Netflix, this partnership with WWE is part of a larger strategy to include more live events after the massive success of the recent Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight, which drew in over 60 million viewers. On USA Network, “Raw” has been pulling in around 1.5 million viewers each month, so the move to Netflix opens up a whole new world of viewership for WWE and its star performers like Seth Rollins, CM Punk, and Rhea Ripley.

By transitioning to Netflix, WWE can also leave behind worries about language censorship or having to edit out certain scenes, gestures, or content. Plus, with the promotional power of Netflix and WWE combined, there’s a lot of buzz around the upcoming move. For example, at a recent Travis Scott concert, WWE’s chief content officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, announced that Scott’s song will be the new theme for “Raw,” and Scott will even make an appearance on the first Netflix episode on January 6th.

Netflix’s focus on offering live entertainment in addition to its usual content lineup shows the company’s commitment to engaging viewers across different genres. According to Netflix co-CEO Theodore Sarandos, this emphasis on live programming is expected to drive viewer engagement across all kinds of content, including scripted shows, documentaries, and now live events like WWE on Netflix.

Apart from WWE, Netflix will also stream two National Football League games globally on Christmas Day, marking a significant step into sports entertainment. Analysts predict that this move towards live sports is part of a larger strategy for Netflix moving forward, with more emphasis on unique entertainment offerings. Overall, Netflix’s growing interest in live content is set to reshape how viewers engage with sports, entertainment, and everything in between.