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The last domino in the WWE media rights chain has fallen. With the announcement this week that Raw is headed to Netflix in 2025, each of the weekly shows has a home once next January arrives — and some even sooner than that.
They’re all new homes as well, as Raw, SmackDown and NXT will all be carried by a different channel or service than the ones that currently carry them. WWE’s broadcast partners for the foreseeable future also encompass network TV, cable and streaming, though not matched up in the ways one might have expected prior to the deals being made.
Confused? We’re here to help sort it all out.
Raw
Where to watch it now: USA
Where you’ll watch it in the future: Netflix
When it’s moving: January 2025
How long it will be on Netflix: 5, 10 or 20 years (see below)
The biggest move WWE made in its next round of media rights deals was packaging Raw along with the international rights to all of its programming (weekly TV and premium live events) to Netflix. Even though it was rumored the company might partner with a streaming service, it’s still a seismic move for the pro wrestling landscape, and early rumors got the potential partner wrong, thinking it might be Amazon.
While the initial deal is for 10 years, which would take it through the end of 2034, Netflix has both an opt-out clause after five years if it wishes and the ability to extend the deal for another decade. That means it’s possible WWE could be looking for a new partner for Raw again in 2029, or might not have to worry about it until Triple H is at retirement age.
SmackDown
Where to watch it now: FOX
Where you’ll watch it in the future: USA
When it’s moving: October 2024
How long it will be on USA: 5 years
Though it’s losing Raw, USA remains very much in the WWE game by acquiring the rights to SmackDown. The five-year deal also includes four prime time specials a year that will be shown on NBC, keeping things comfy with NBCUniversal and potentially increasing the likelihood that premium live events will remain on Peacock in the U.S.
The SmackDown deal was signed before the one for Raw, but WWE has to feel pretty pleased that it worked out this way as fans who are resistant to ponying up for a Netflix subscription will still be able to watch one of its big shows each week on cable — and on a channel where they’ve grown accustomed to watching for years.
NXT
Where to watch it now: USA
Where you’ll watch it in the future: The CW
When it’s moving: October 2024
How long it will be on The CW: 5 years
As part of The CW’s increasing investment in live sports and related content, it grabbed the rights to NXT in a deal announced last November. The move coincides with the arrival of SmackDown, so USA won’t go without WWE programming at all during these transitions (curiously, the temporary home of Raw between October 2024 and January 2025 is still up in the air).
The CW is still considered network TV for whatever that’s worth in this era, so it will be the first time WWE has had NXT (or any series, really) on a broadcast network.
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