WWE’s ‘Monday Night Raw’ Debuts on Netflix January 6

WWE’s ‘Monday Night Raw’ Debuts on Netflix January 6 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announced its partnership with Netflix, debuting “Monday Night Raw” on the platform on January 6, 2024. Netflix will stream WWE shows globally, including premium events like WrestleMania. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealed the news during Travis Scott’s concert at ComplexCon. Netflix, facing backlash over recent streaming issues during a boxing event, aims to solidify its position in live sports with the WWE deal and two NFL games on Christmas.

WWE and Netflix Partnership: Quick Looks

• Premiere Date: “Monday Night Raw” will debut on Netflix on January 6, streaming live from the Intuit Dome.
• Global Rollout: Netflix will host WWE content in the U.S., Canada, UK, and Latin America initially, with more countries to follow.
• Premium Events Included: The partnership extends to major WWE events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.
• Cultural Integration: Travis Scott’s new song will serve as the official theme for “Monday Night Raw.”
• Netflix Challenges: The announcement follows streaming issues during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, prompting criticism.
• Expanded Sports Offering: Netflix will also air two NFL games on Christmas Day as part of its live sports strategy.

Deep Look

WWE’s Bold New Chapter with Netflix

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is kicking off 2024 with a groundbreaking move: its flagship show, “Monday Night Raw,” will premiere on Netflix on January 6, 2024. This historic debut will take place live from the Intuit Dome, showcasing the wrestling giant’s entry into a new era of global streaming.

The announcement came from WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who surprised fans by taking the stage during Travis Scott’s concert at ComplexCon in Las Vegas. Levesque’s reveal was met with excitement from the live audience and fans worldwide, as the deal promises to expand WWE’s reach to millions of new viewers.

This partnership marks WWE’s first venture onto Netflix, a move designed to amplify its global presence. Initially, “Monday Night Raw” will stream live in key regions, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America. As existing broadcasting contracts expire in other territories, Netflix will gradually expand WWE programming to additional countries.

Beyond Raw: WWE’s Full Slate on Netflix

The partnership doesn’t stop with weekly programming. Netflix will also host WWE’s premium live events, including some of its most iconic annual showcases: WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and the Royal Rumble. This move consolidates WWE’s presence on a single, globally accessible platform, ensuring fans around the world can enjoy marquee events without the need for pay-per-view services or region-specific networks.

To add a cultural flair to the announcement, it was revealed that Travis Scott’s new music would serve as the official theme song for “Monday Night Raw.” This collaboration ties WWE’s appeal to broader pop culture, aligning wrestling’s entertainment factor with Scott’s chart-topping reach.

A Challenging Moment for Netflix

While the WWE announcement is a significant win for Netflix, it comes amid a tumultuous time for the streaming platform. Over the weekend, Netflix faced widespread criticism for technical issues during a high-profile boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. Streaming interruptions and buffering plagued the event, with fans expressing frustration on social media platforms like Twitter/X and Bluesky.

Down Detector, a site that monitors online outages, recorded nearly 85,000 complaints related to the event. Fans cited issues with accessing the stream, with some unable to view the match entirely.

Despite the setbacks, Netflix highlighted the event’s massive reach. According to the company, the fight was viewed by a global audience of 60 million, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams. Additionally, the co-main event featuring Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano drew nearly 50 million households, with Taylor retaining her undisputed super lightweight championship in a closely contested bout.

Netflix acknowledged the technical problems and promised to share further viewership data in the coming days. However, the criticism underscores the challenges of live sports streaming—a space Netflix is increasingly looking to dominate.

Netflix’s Growing Sports Portfolio

The WWE deal is part of Netflix’s broader push into live sports. The platform recently announced that it will broadcast two NFL games on Christmas Day, marking another milestone in its expanding sports portfolio. These moves signal Netflix’s commitment to becoming a one-stop shop for entertainment, combining its existing library of movies, series, and documentaries with live sports programming.

For WWE, the Netflix partnership is a major step in evolving its distribution strategy. The wrestling giant has historically relied on platforms like Peacock in the U.S. and other region-specific networks for its content. By teaming up with Netflix, WWE gains access to a global audience with unmatched streaming capabilities, paving the way for unprecedented growth.

Wrestling’s Global Appeal

WWE has long been a global phenomenon, with fans spanning continents and cultures. Iconic events like WrestleMania draw millions of viewers each year, and WWE superstars enjoy massive followings on social media. This partnership with Netflix ensures that fans worldwide can access WWE content seamlessly, breaking down geographical barriers that have historically limited access in some regions.

For Netflix, the addition of WWE complements its strategy of diversifying its content to attract and retain subscribers. Live sports have become a key area of focus for the platform as it faces increasing competition from rivals like Amazon Prime Video, which already streams live NFL games, and Disney+, which hosts ESPN content.

Overcoming Challenges

While the partnership is poised for success, Netflix will need to address the technical issues that have plagued its recent live events. Wrestling fans are notoriously passionate and vocal, and any disruptions during events like WrestleMania could lead to backlash. By investing in infrastructure improvements, Netflix can ensure a smoother viewing experience and build trust with its audience.

WWE, for its part, will likely benefit from Netflix’s vast resources and innovative technology. With a platform capable of handling millions of concurrent streams, WWE can deliver its content to fans in higher quality and with fewer interruptions.

A Win for Fans

Ultimately, the WWE-Netflix partnership is a win for fans. By bringing WWE’s vast library of shows and premium events to a globally accessible platform, fans in all corners of the world can experience the excitement of professional wrestling like never before. The inclusion of NFL games further sweetens the deal, positioning Netflix as a leader in live sports streaming.

More on Sports

WWE’s ‘Monday