Netflix to Add Commercials After WWE RAW Moves to the Streaming Platform

The announcement that Monday Night RAW will move to Netflix in January 2025 has created a significant buzz among wrestling fans and industry insiders. The deal, reportedly worth over $5 billion for a 10-year period, marks a major shift for WWE, transitioning from traditional television to the popular streaming platform.

The President of TKO/Endeavor, Mark Shapiro, who was involved in the negotiations, acknowledged the complexity of securing this landmark deal, which will surely prove to be a game changer for the professional wrestling giant.

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one of the key reasons Netflix pursued RAW is its ongoing efforts to incorporate commercials into its programming. WWE’s audience is already accustomed to seeing ads during broadcasts, making the transition a natural fit for the platform.

However, Netflix will offer more flexibility, allowing them to adjust the timing and duration of commercials without the constraints of traditional TV schedules.

“One reason Netflix picked up RAW is that they are working to incorporate commercials into their programming, and the pro wrestling audience is already accustomed to seeing ads during shows. However, Netflix will have more flexibility compared to traditional television. They can adjust the timing and duration of commercial breaks without the need for the show to adhere strictly to the second.”

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H expressed confidence that fans will easily make the switch to Netflix, thanks to the streaming service’s widespread availability and appeal. The move could potentially open up new opportunities for WWE to experiment with how they present RAW, possibly enhancing the viewing experience for both long-time fans and new audiences alike.

As for Netflix, the addition of Monday Night RAW has also opened the avenue for ad-breaks on their platform, which could be highly beneficial for the streaming giant in the years to come.

Do you think this transition to Netflix will improve WWE programming and help the streaming giant in its efforts to incorporate ad breaks? Sound off in the comments!