WWE Netflix Deal Killing Popular Fan Events?

WWE

On January 23, 2024, WWE announced that Raw would be heading to Netflix from 2025, leaving “linear television” as part of a multi-year deal.

The initial press release stated that the arrangement between WWE and Netflix would mean that from January 2025:

Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time.

“Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble.

“WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.

The long term impact of the deal is currently being explored, with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos recently discussing the acquisition.

An aspect of the wrestling business that could be pretty much killed off by the deal is the unofficial live screening fan events.

The events see fans gather together to watch the PLE, typically with guests, competitions and other such entertainment on offer.

WrestleTalk runs these watch parties with the next one taking place in London, England for the WWE Royal Rumble on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Hooked On Wrestling also run watch parties and have reflected on the impact the Netflix deal will have on the popular events, tweeting:

“Whilst the news about @NetflixUK being the new home for all #WWE content in the UK is exciting and groundbreaking for fans, it is something of a hammer blow to us

“It’s not legal to air Netflix on commercial premises so unless there’s a deal done somewhere, 2024 would be the last year of HOW Watch Parties 😢”

Netflix doesn’t provide a license to stream content on commercial premises, with the WWE Network also not allowing its programming to be seen in such a way.

With PLEs being available as pay-per-view events through other channels, this was typically what the watch parties used with licensing available under the third party platform route.

Recent WWE PLEs have been available for PPV on TNT Sports Box Office in the United Kingdom with the Royal Rumble cost £19.99.

Dave Meltzer has recently discussed the “ultimate goal” for the WWE with Netflix, suggesting that the streaming platform could eventually be the home for WWE content in the United States.

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