Clear your calendars, WWE fans—the marathon is here. Starting in January 2025, both WWE SmackDown and WWE Raw will officially expand to three-hour broadcasts, promising even more wrestling action, drama, and yes, commercial breaks. The change comes as SmackDown stays with NBCUniversal and Raw transitions to Netflix, marking a bold new era for the flagship shows.
According to Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE sources have confirmed that Raw will return to its three-hour runtime for the Netflix era. International TV networks carrying the show have also been notified, ensuring they’re ready to handle the extended programming. Since most of these channels operate as sports networks, they’re accustomed to a bit of flexibility in runtime, giving WWE some leeway in structuring each episode.
While the extra time allows more of WWE’s deep roster to shine, Meltzer pointed out a downside: three-hour broadcasts don’t come without risks. Raw’s ratings famously dipped when it first expanded in 2012, and SmackDown’s new runtime might face similar challenges. Compounding the issue, it’s unclear if NBCUniversal is paying WWE more for the additional hour of SmackDown. Without an increase in rights fees, the deal could pale compared to WWE’s previous, more lucrative agreement with Fox.
Still, the added hour comes with some perks. WWE can showcase more talent and storylines each week without significantly increasing production costs. And for die-hard fans who can’t get enough, the extended format promises to deliver even more twists, turns, and surprises.
The shift begins with SmackDown on January 3, 2025, followed by Raw’s Netflix debut on January 6. Whether this gamble pays off or feels like a drawn-out iron-man match remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: WWE is going all in on longer runtimes.