TKO executive Mark Shapiro discusses WWE Netflix deal, UFC media rights, more

[Chris]

WWE reality show & documentaries planned for first year of Netflix deal

A WWE “Drive to Survive” type docuseries is planned to be part of the first year of the WWE and Netflix partnership. Speaking at the JPMorgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference…

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A WWE “Drive to Survive” type docuseries is planned to be part of the first year of the WWE and Netflix partnership.

Speaking at the JPMorgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference Monday, TKO head Mark Shapiro talked about the relationship with his usual talking points, but added that as part of the deal that begins in January 2025, they will also do “a lot of ancillary shoulder programming” next year that includes a series akin to the popular F1-focused docuseries in addition to documentaries on other WWE stars.

The “Drive to Survive” series that launched in 2019 is credited for a massive boom in F1’s popularity worldwide. The league signed a three-year extension with ESPN in June 2022 worth up to $90 million annually — a massive increase from their previous $5 million/year deal.

Raw launches on Netflix beginning in January after wrapping up their second run on USA Network that began in 2005.
Some other interesting quotes:

• Shapiro also said they will expand their WWE deal with Saudi Arabia over the next 6-12 months. Interestingly, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Turki Alsheikh) said an “enhancement” will be announced this month which could mean a future WrestleMania or Royal Rumble heading to the country.
• He said packaging up UFC/WWE events is a big part of their strategy going forward with attendance, site fees and pricing. If they are coming to town, it doesn’t have to be all cash when it comes to site fees, but they have to heavily incentivized to bring events to a city.
• He said if next June’s UFC debut in Saudi Arabia goes well, he feels Dana White would be very open to bringing future events there past the one they already signed for — one that got twice the fee as the first one that hasn’t even happened yet.
• In talking about the UFC’s impending TV rights negotiations, Shapiro openly opined that ESPN should consider buying out the PPV rights and put them all on their impending direct-to-consumer flagship streaming channel exclusively. He said they haven’t pitched that to ESPN, but used that as an example of the “flexibility” they will bring to those conversations.

 

[Deezy]

They have people thinking the UFC could fail in Saudi Arabia?

All they gotta do is not book Bryce Mitchell......you can get alcohol in Saudi from what I heard from a buddy who travels.

 

[Dale]

What would be the incentives that they would be looking for site fees if not cash?

 

[Deezy]

What would be the incentives that they would be looking for site fees if not cash?

They be doing the old FUBU method........fuck u but us.

 

[R-Troop]

What would be the incentives that they would be looking for site fees if not cash?

Tax breaks? Paying for travel/lodging? Hell not having to pay for the venue is also incentive.