WWE's 'Raw' debut scores Neflix huge ratings

WWE proved a winner in its Netflix debut on Monday.

The first episode of "WWE Raw" to run on the streaming giant attracted an average of 2.6 million U.S. viewers, according to Netflix. The show averaged 1.64 million viewers in its weekly slot on USA Network in 2024.

In the equivalent episode during the same week at the start of 2024, USA Network drew 1.75 million viewers. The highest-rated episode last year, in early April, brought in 2.36 million viewers.

Netflix and WWE are at the start of a 10-year, $5 billion media pact that takes the promotion global. Front Office Sports reported that 4.9 million tuned in worldwide on Netflix for the Monday episode.

WWE legend John Cena said during a promo for the Monday telecast, per Front Office Sports, "This is the first time in history that Raw is broadcast simultaneously around the world."

Netflix continues to expand its sports holdings. The streamer attracted huge ratings for a November boxing match in which Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson, and Netflix aired two NFL games on Christmas Day, which became the top-rated streaming NFL games ever.

--Field Level Media