WWE announced this morning that they’ve entered into a multi-year partnership with online streaming platform Twitch. As part of that partnership, WWE will re-introduce its official channel, set to feature “live and exclusive content” with WWE stars. Additionally, the channel will stream a “companion sidecast” to “WWE Raw,” set to debut alongside tonight’s episode. The stream will alternate between different hosts and will include appearances from WWE stars, providing a behind-the-scenes look at “Raw” on a weekly basis.
The company announced that its Twitch channel will also stream all premium live event press conferences and “other live productions.” The company’s press conferences will continue to stream on other platforms as well, namely YouTube.
In the past, Twitch has been a source of controversy for WWE. Back in 2020, the company instructed talent to deactivate their Twitch accounts before then offering a deal that allowed performers to continue streaming — as long as they shared a cut of the revenue with WWE. This past April, an agreement between WWE and Twitch allowed talent to get back on the platform with few restrictions, and it seems this new partnership is a continuation of that relationship.
Even prior to the April announcement, a number of WWE stars have gradually returned to the Amazon-owned platform, including Drew Gulak, Dakota Kai, Zelina Vega, and Xavier Woods. It remains to be seen if other WWE stars who stopped streaming, such as AJ Styles, could return, or if the new partnership will introduce new talent to the streaming landscape.
WWE issued the following:
WWE® Announces Multi-Year Partnership With Twitch
Official Monday Night RAW Sidecast on Twitch Launches Today
–(BUSINESS WIRE)– WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced a multi-year partnership with Twitch that will see the return of the official WWE channel and popular WWE Superstar channels, featuring live and exclusive content.
In addition to the launch of the channel, WWE will debut today a companion sidecast to Monday Night RAW, bringing the WWE Universe behind the scenes and closer to the in-ring action. The weekly viewing experience will be led by a rotating cast of hosts and will regularly feature appearances by WWE Superstars, unique and exclusive content such as backstage interviews, and more. Viewers can stream the sidecast live every Monday beginning at 8 p.m. ET via https://www.twitch.tv/wwe or the Twitch App.
Additionally, the official WWE channel will be home to other live productions and will serve as an alternate live streaming feed for all of WWE’s premium live event press conferences.
