Big changes are coming to WWE’s flagship shows as both WWE SmackDown and WWE Raw prepare to expand to three-hour runtimes starting in early 2025. It was officially announced last week that SmackDown will extend its weekly runtime beginning January 3, 2025. Meanwhile, Raw, which is set to debut on Netflix on January 6, will also return to its three-hour format.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that WWE sources confirmed the change for Raw. International networks that carry the show have also been informed about the shift. Since these networks often broadcast sports content, they are accustomed to flexible runtimes, allowing WWE some wiggle room in the length of individual episodes.
Meltzer also addressed the potential financial impact of SmackDown’s move to three hours. It remains unclear whether WWE will receive an increase in rights fees to account for the added hour. If not, Meltzer suggests this could reflect poorly on WWE’s recent deal with NBCUniversal compared to its previous arrangement with Fox, noting that the new deal may provide less money per hour and reach fewer households.
Despite these concerns, there are advantages to the extended runtimes. The extra hour will give WWE more opportunities to showcase its expansive roster and create engaging storylines. Additionally, since production infrastructure is already in place, the added time is unlikely to significantly increase costs. However, Meltzer cautioned that when Raw initially expanded to three hours, the show experienced a decline in ratings, a challenge WWE may need to address again.
The changes are set to roll out imminently. SmackDown will officially expand to three hours on January 3, 2025, followed closely by Raw’s Netflix debut at three hours on January 6. This marks a significant adjustment in WWE’s programming as the company explores new formats and platforms.