<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2hwc5X_0wDgfEt300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2hwc5X_0wDgfEt300" width="700" height="357" >WWE is set to implement significant changes to its programming in 2025, with both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown evolving in runtime. Starting January, SmackDown will expand to three hours until May, while Raw will also revert to a three-hour format when it transitions to Netflix. The changes come after a period of adjustments in WWE's broadcasting strategy, including Raw being temporarily shortened to two hours. The WWE’s intent is to balance the programming and maintain viewer engagement. Audience reactions to these changes have been mixed, especially regarding the return to longer runtimes.<ul><li>Monday Night Raw has been three hours long for over 12 years.</li><li>SmackDown will expand to three hours from January to May 2025.</li></ul>State of Play<ul><li>Current broadcasts are adapting, with WWE shows undergoing platform transitions.</li><li>Raw has enjoyed a two-hour format recently, providing a brief reprieve before returning to three hours.</li></ul>As WWE prepares for these changes, the full impact on viewer ratings and engagement will be watched closely. The potential viewer response may influence whether SmackDown continues the three-hour format after May 2025, and how WWE presents new content on the Netflix platform.Bottom LineThe upcoming shifts in WWE programming may mark a pivotal point in audience engagement and content strategy, balancing fan expectations with network partnerships. Emphasizing adaptability will be key for WWE as it navigates viewer preferences in the evolving television landscape.</div></body>

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WWE’s Major Changes Coming to Monday Night Raw and SmackDown in 2025

WWE is set to implement significant changes to its programming in 2025, with both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown evolving in runtime. Starting January, SmackDown will expand to three hours until May, while Raw will also revert to a three-hour format when it transitions to Netflix. The changes come after a period of adjustments in WWE's broadcasting strategy, including Raw being temporarily shortened to two hours. The WWE’s intent is to balance the programming and maintain viewer engagement. Audience reactions to these changes have been mixed, especially regarding the return to longer runtimes.