S Poddar
Change for the big in wrestling fans in UK and Ireland. WWE announced it was removing its dedicated streaming service, the WWE Network, from UK and Irish viewers on December 31, 2024. WWE would be integrating its content into Netflix, which will serve as an exclusive home for WWE programming in UK and Ireland.
This transition means that super shows like SmackDown and RAW, along with other premium live events, will now stream on Netflix, which is an evolution of how fans within these regions access WWE content. To ease the transition, WWE has offered its subscribers a parting gift: free access to the WWE Network for the entire month of December.
Official Communication to Subscribers
In an email to UK and Irish subscribers, WWE confirmed all subscriptions have been canceled in advance of the platform’s close. Here is an excerpt from the official message:
On January 1, 2025, WWE Network will no longer be available in your area, and Netflix will be the new exclusive home of WWE. As a result, subscription to WWE Network has been disabled in the app store and will not renew on your next billing date.
As a thank you for being a fan and valued subscriber, we welcome you to continue enjoying WWE Network with complimentary access until December 31, 2024, after which you will need to subscribe to Netflix to continue enjoying WWE content, including all Premium Live Events as well as Raw, SmackDown, and NXT—streaming live, in one place, for the first time ever. If you already have a Netflix subscription, you’re all set.
The email promises fans that Netflix will have all their favourite WWE content, from premium live events to weekly programming that can now be accessed all in one place for the very first time.
This integration with Netflix isn’t just a regional shift; it represents a broader strategy by WWE to expand its reach and make its programming more accessible through mainstream platforms. While the WWE Network has been the go-to destination for hardcore wrestling fans, the move to Netflix could attract an even larger audience by placing WWE alongside a diverse array of content available on the streaming giant.
Here is what the fans will look forward to:
Convenience: The entire WWE content, including premium events and shows, will be on one place called Netflix, making separate subscriptions no longer required. Accessibility: Being one of the biggest services out there, WWE could potentially get seen by casual users who may have not otherwise looked at subscribing to a dedicated wrestling platform.
- Cost-Efficiency: For those already subscribed to Netflix, this move means additional content at no extra cost.
Saying Goodbye to WWE Network
The WWE Network was more for many fans than just a form of streaming service. It really was a treasure trove of wrestling history, comprising everything from iconic matches through to exclusive documentaries. Ending the service in the UK and Ireland marks the last nail in the coffin for what has become the go-to provider for fans who have accessed it over the years to deeply explore WWE’s vast and impressive library.
However, this shift to Netflix might mark the start of a new era for WWE’s content approach. With Netflix’s international reach, WWE is setting itself up to appeal to loyalists as well as new audiences.
Key Dates to Remember
- December 31, 2024: This will be the last day that WWE Network will be available in the UK and Ireland. Till then, users can view the service for free.
- January 1, 2025: Netflix will become the exclusive home of WWE in those regions. Viewers will need to subscribe to Netflix to continue viewing WWE programming.
As the countdown begins, WWE’s decision to offer complimentary access during December shows a level of appreciation for its dedicated subscribers. It’s a final opportunity for fans to revisit their favorite moments and relive the magic that the WWE Network has delivered over the years.
This move to Netflix is surely a game-changer. Whether it will be a slam dunk for WWE and its fans is yet to be seen, but one thing is sure: wrestling entertainment in the UK and Ireland will never be the same again.
