Some interesting news for WWE programming as TKO Group CEO Ari Emanuel announced that the company’s coveted RAW program had interested parties for the media rights. As we all know, RAW has had two U.S broadcasters in it’s lengthy run with USA Network being the primary partner.
TKO Group and Endeavor CEO Says Six Networks Are Fighting for the Rights to ‘WWE RAW’
The statement came about while Emanuel was talking with Bloomberg Live about how business was doing. He said that there are a couple of networks that really want those television rights as with them comes ad money and seasons don’t necessarily exist in WWE. They product is on multiple times a week and handles a lot of its own production.
Hands down: wrestling is most convenient show to have on a network. There’s always fresh content for viewers. Ari Emanuel went to describe the deal situation and how WWE is performing value-wise:
“We got a 40 per cent increase for SmackDown. We have Raw, which is the number one package available. There’s three rights coming available to market, three big rights: WWE Raw, UFC, NBA. We are involved in two of them. There’s six buyers. Plus, I would say, WWE Network, which is up in 2026.” (h/t: Wrestling Observer)
At the moment, WWE is gearing up to move SmackDown to USA Network in 2024. RAW and NXT contracts are coming up at the end of the year. In total, the SmackDown move is costing $1.4 billion. All in all, good news for WWE and TKO as it gives them the wiggle room to negotiate.
TKO Group has the goods—content that requires little on the network’s end—and it’s in-demand content. That aside, the notion that six networks want RAW and that the iconic wrestling program could be moved to another day besides Monday is incredibly interesting right now.
However, with SmackDown heading to USA Network, it’s hard to believe that WWE and USA wouldn’t try to hold on to RAW and NXT. What do you think of the six interested parties? Do you see RAW leaving USA Network again or will the WWE-NBCUniveral combination continue?
Let us know in the comments!
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