Tonight (January 6, 2025) sees the kick-off of a new era in ‘sports entertainment’ with the inaugural airing of WWE’s weekly show, RAW, on Netflix. The blockbuster deal – valued at more than $5 billion – will see Netflix stream the WWE’s flagship live show on its platform on Monday nights for the next five years guaranteed (with the option to extend). But will the WWE on Netflix be available in the Gulf?
In a word: yes.
Starting from January 6, Netflix will stream RAW globally, however, it will be initially rolled out in to subscribers in the US, the UK, Canada, Latin America and Middle East markets first, before being eventually rolled out worldwide.
As confirmed by Esquire Middle East – WWE programming will launch on Netflix across the Middle East from today – starting with the premiere episode of Monday Night Raw. WWE programming including SmackDown, NXT and all WWE Premium Live Events (including Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam and more) will also air on Netflix across the Middle East.
Netflix plans to expand RAW’s streaming to more regions over time, indicating this is not just a short-term move but a long-term investment. While it hasn’t been explicitly mentioned when or if Middle Eastern audiences will get direct access, there are hopeful murmurs among fans and media outlets alike.
The ambitious deal between the pro-wrestling company and the streaming giant reflects Netflix’s bid to capture the ever-growing fan base of wrestling enthusiasts. While wrestling may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it undeniably commands a devoted audience that Netflix aims to tap into.
This multimillion-dollar deal, valued at over $5 billion, is no small feat. It represents one of the more substantial agreements in content streaming, especially for sports-like entertainment. For WWE, this venture onto Netflix potentially means not just wider viewership but also engagement with a younger demographic that primarily consumes media via streaming platforms.
For fans in the Middle East, there remains the potential for WWE’s presence to grow. WWE’s recent events in Saudi Arabia have stirred considerable interest, hinting that there might be a sizable market Netflix would want to explore. However, official announcements regarding extension to regions like the Middle East remain eagerly anticipated