WWE’s annual revenues reached $1.398 billion, slightly less than UFC’s $1.406 billion. Q4 revenue was $298.3 million, down from the previous year due to media rights fee changes. Viewership for WWE Raw increased by 13% on Netflix, while NXT’s audience on the CW grew by 12%. TKO plans three PLEs in Saudi Arabia by 2026 and aims to expand events in Australia. Cost savings of $100 million have also been achieved through integration.
In the aftermath of TKO Group Holdings’ release of their Q4 and full-year earnings report for 2024, WWE President Nick Khan provided insights during a media conference call. WWE achieved annual revenues totaling $1.398 billion, slightly trailing UFC, which reported $1.406 billion. Despite generating $298.3 million in Q4, WWE’s revenue marked a $32.9 million decline compared to the previous year, largely attributable to reduced media rights fees during a transitional contract phase with NBCUniversal and the forthcoming Netflix deal.
During the call, TKO Group executive Mark Shapiro remarked on the viewing trends, noting a 13% increase in WWE Raw’s audience on Netflix compared to prior year figures on USA Network. He also highlighted a 12% uplift in viewership for NXT since its transition to the CW Network. Nick Khan underscored Netflix’s interest in expanding its WWE content offerings, indicating additional programming is forthcoming.
Additionally, TKO Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schleimer announced plans for three WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) in Saudi Arabia in 2026, following only one scheduled event in 2025, with one of these events confirmed to be the 2026 Royal Rumble. The company is also exploring opportunities to host more events in Australia in the near future. Moreover, through the integration of various operational departments between WWE and UFC, TKO has successfully achieved its goal of $100 million in cost savings.
In summary, WWE has reported impressive annual revenues while facing challenges in Q4 due to contract transitions impacting media rights fees. The organization is strategically expanding its event footprint in both Saudi Arabia and Australia and is experiencing positive growth in viewership on Netflix and CW. Continued collaboration between WWE and UFC is yielding significant operational efficiencies, leading to substantial financial savings.
Original Source: ewrestling.com
