Netflix Doubles WWE Raw’s Audience in First Week, Says Ted Sarandos
WWE’s Monday Night Raw has seen a highly successful launch on Netflix, with viewership numbers significantly surpassing its previous performance on linear television. During Netflix’s recent earnings call, Co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that the show garnered approximately 5 million views in its first week—double the average audience it had been drawing on traditional TV platforms. Sarandos noted this outcome was aligned with Netflix’s projections, calling it “a great start.”
The streaming platform has also driven considerable growth in international and non-live viewership. Sarandos reported a 25% increase in day-after viewing, with notable engagement outside U.S. time zones. “This is new viewing in the UK, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Brazil—key markets where we’re seeing strong traction,” he added, signaling Raw’s expanding global appeal.
Domestically, the show’s performance on Netflix has been equally impressive. According to Sarandos, “In the U.S., our viewing of Monday Night Raw was as big as it has been in five years.”
This resurgence highlights the platform’s ability to revitalize WWE’s core U.S. audience while attracting a younger, broader demographic.
Sarandos also discussed the importance of maintaining financial viability in Netflix’s sports content strategy. He emphasized the need for deals that are economically sustainable for both the platform and the sports leagues, stating, “We want to bring value to the sport like we have with WWE and the NFL, reaching a bigger, younger, and more global audience than linear television. But these dynamics must also reflect in the economics of the deal.”
Netflix’s success with Monday Night Raw and its broader push into sports content highlights its capability to grow audiences while staying financially pragmatic—a promising development for both WWE and the streaming platform.
