Netflix and WWE continue testing time slot changes ahead of the 2026 season
Summary
– WWE and Netflix are discussing another possible 7 PM ET start for RAW
– Select December and January episodes may serve as test runs
– Time slot experiments are part of WWE’s effort to boost ratings and global engagement
Fans should double-check their Monday night schedules. According to Fightful Select, WWE is again considering shifting RAW’s start time to 7 PM ET for a handful of episodes in December and January. The move would continue the company’s ongoing time slot testing alongside Netflix as they prepare for a full streaming transition next year.
“We’re told there are conversations about possibly doing a 7 PM start time for Raw again for a couple of December and January episodes, but nothing is for sure,” the report stated.
The latest update follows weeks of experimentation that saw RAW begin at varying times to measure audience reactions and scheduling logistics. Earlier this fall, WWE aired one episode at 7 PM ET before reverting to its standard 8 PM slot on subsequent Mondays. While the earlier start helped with East Coast viewership, it created challenges for fans in Western time zones, where a 7 PM ET start translates to 4 PM local time.
WWE even tested the opposite extreme, airing RAW at 8 AM ET on October 15 to accommodate international audiences following Crown Jewel: Australia. The experiment highlighted how flexible WWE is willing to be as part of its evolving partnership with Netflix.
Executives are reportedly evaluating how alternate start times could affect attendance and streaming engagement in key markets such as Boston and New York City. If results show positive trends, more time slot adjustments could follow heading into 2026.
