WWE RAW Ratings After the Move to Netflix: What We Know So Far

In January 2025, WWE’s flagship program, Monday Night RAW, made a historic transition from traditional cable television to streaming exclusively on Netflix. This move has significantly altered how viewership metrics are reported and analyzed. This article delves into the available data on RAW’s performance since the switch and explores how ratings are now measured in the streaming era.

Initial Surge in Viewership

The debut episode of Monday Night RAW on Netflix, which aired on January 6, 2025, garnered impressive numbers:

• Global Views: 4.9 million
• U.S. Households: 2.6 million

These figures represent a substantial increase from the average 1.2 million U.S. viewers RAW attracted on the USA Network in 2024. The premiere’s success can be attributed to extensive promotion and a star-studded lineup, including appearances by The Rock, John Cena, and Roman Reigns.

Subsequent Decline in Viewership

Following the premiere, RAW experienced a notable decline in viewership:

• January 13, 2025: 3.7 million global views
• January 20, 2025: 3.0 million global views

This downward trend indicates a loss of nearly half the initial audience within three weeks. Analysts suggest that while the premiere attracted a broad audience due to its novelty and heavy promotion, subsequent episodes have seen viewership stabilize closer to traditional levels.

Comparing Streaming Metrics to Traditional Ratings

The shift from cable to streaming has transformed how viewership is measured:

• Traditional Nielsen Ratings: Focused on live U.S. viewership during the broadcast.
• Netflix Metrics: Encompass global viewership over a week, including both live and on-demand streams.

This change means that while RAW’s total viewership numbers have increased due to international access, direct comparisons to previous Nielsen ratings are complex. Additionally, Netflix’s methodology of reporting total hours viewed can sometimes present inflated numbers, as it divides total hours by the content’s runtime, potentially counting partial views.

Current Viewership Status

As of mid-February 2025, RAW’s viewership on Netflix appears to have stabilized:

• February 17, 2025: 2.8 million views, totaling 5.5 million hours watched.

While these numbers are lower than the premiere, they still surpass the average cable viewership from the previous year. This suggests that RAW has retained a solid portion of its audience post-transition.

Implications for Advertisers and WWE’s Strategy

The move to Netflix offers WWE several advantages:

• Global Reach: Access to Netflix’s extensive international subscriber base.
• On-Demand Viewing: Catering to audiences who prefer flexible viewing schedules.

However, the change also presents challenges, particularly in advertising. Traditional commercial slots are less prevalent on streaming platforms, prompting WWE to explore integrated sponsorships and product placements within the content.

For more detailed insights into WWE RAW’s performance on Netflix, consider watching the following analysis: