WWE produces seven hours of live television each week and daily content across multiple platforms. That number does not include if it’s a premium live event week, because that ups the number significantly. Fans can consume content at their own pace but will rarely run out of things to watch.
Triple H said on The Pat McAfee Show that WWE’s fan base loves content. However, scripting so much programming every week is challenging. Great stories take time to write, plan, and execute. Using real-life drama behind the scenes, which fans are aware of, provides a valuable source of content.
Our fanbase is so ravenous for (content). There is nothing else that episodically airs. I say this a lot; we’re not a sport. We’re a movie about a sport or a TV show about a sport. The interest of all the other things happening are just as great as what happens in the ring. People are so interested, in not only those storyline, but who are the real people behind those storylines? The drama behind it. If you’re younger or want to buy into it that much, the drama of the storylines. If you’re in a different mindset, the drama of what is happening behind the scenes. ‘Is that guy leaving? Has he signed a contract? Is he going to stay? I heard he has problems with management, they’re trying to restrict his style.’ Whatever your mindset is, you can go there and follow up with it on a regular basis. The content is easy to watch and easy to understand. You can sit on a bus or train and watch clips.”
WWE airs three hours of RAW, which will move to Netflix in 2025. Starting next January, RAW will be uncensored, so it will be interesting to see what boundaries they cross. While still a family-friendly company, Endeavor might introduce more mature storylines. Currently, there’s an angle involving Liv Morgan sexting Dominik Mysterio.
Adding in SmackDown, which is two hours, and NXT, another two-hour program, WWE offers a substantial amount of weekly content. With SmackDown moving to USA Network in October and RAW heading to Netflix, the future of their programming remains uncertain. Only time will tell if SmackDown becomes a three-hour weekly show as well.
What’s your take on WWE programming? Do you think it’s heading in the right direction creatively? Sound off in the comments section!
