WWE Raw Boosts Viewership by Double Figures in First Streaming Episode on Netflix

Netflix and the Future of Television: A New Era in Live, Weekly, Episodic Content

In a historic move, Netflix has officially entered the world of live, weekly, episodic television, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of streaming. The launch of WWE’s Monday Night Raw on Netflix signalizes a new era in television, where viewers cancatch up with their favorite shows on their own schedule, rather than being bound to a specific broadcast schedule.

The Power of Access

The debut episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix attracted a massive audience, with an average of 2.6 million households in the United States and 4.6 million globally watching the event. This is a significant increase from the 1.2 million average viewership on the linear cable channel USA Network in 2024, where Raw had aired for nearly three decades.

But why was this possible? The answer lies in the accessibility offered by Netflix. With 84.8 million subscribers in North America, and content available on a wide range of devices, it’s likely that people stumbled upon the show and decided to give it a try.

The End of Appointment Viewing?

The rise of Netflix may signal the end of appointment viewing, where viewers would tune in to a specific channel at a specific time to watch their favorite show. With Netflix, viewers can watch content anywhere, anytime, using devices such as phones, tablets, web browsers, and even gaming consoles.

A New Era for Live Television?

While it’s too early to say whether this trend will continue, the success of Monday Night Raw on Netflix is a promising sign for the future of live television. WWE’s success may encourage streaming services to invest further in live content, beyond the occasional live sports event or comedy special.

For now, it seems that Netflix has successfully entered the world of live, weekly, episodic television, and the future of television is likely to be shaped by the convenience and accessibility offered by streaming services like this.