Today, Netflix declared itself the new official home of WWE Monday Night Raw, marking a shift from its pursuit of prestige.
This move, coupled with the departure of Scott Stuber, suggests a departure from Netflix’s previous focus on acclaimed films.
The streaming giant’s strategy now resembles networks like Spike TV in 2005 or USA Network in 2011, emphasizing entertaining old films, TV shows, WWE, and game shows.
However, this shift raises concerns about Netflix’s programming strategy, relying on established successes rather than creating compelling originals.
The $5 billion investment in WWE rights might lead to a price hike for subscribers if the growing ad business doesn’t cover the cost.
As Netflix faces rising competition and prices, its reliance on cheaper licensed content may pose challenges in retaining subscribers compared to platforms with more exclusive and targeted offerings.