Becky Lynch is coming to Channel 5 (Credit; WWE)

WWE Raw and SmackDown are coming to free-to-air television for the first time ever.

The sports entertainment giant may have just started its huge new deal with BT Sport but there is much more for UK fans to get excited about in 2020 as weekly highlights will be shown on Channel 5.

Starting on 2 February, Channel 5 will air a one-hour version or Raw every Sunday at 10:30am, while a one-hour edition of SmackDown will be available every Saturday in the same timeslot.

Meanwhile, NXT UK will be screened on Paramount Network each Wednesday from 12am, and the agreement will also see content available through Channel 5’s on streaming service My5.




As if that wasn’t enough, viewers on the online platform will also be able to get full seasons of Total Divas and Miz & Mrs, as well as via Pluto TV in the UK.

Raw and SmackDown will be on free-to-air TV

Andy Warkman – Vice President and General Manager for WWE UK & Ireland – has described the move as a “significant step” for the company as they continue to surprise UK fans.

He said: ‘Bringing highlights of our flagship programming to free-to-air television for the first time in the UK with Channel 5 is a significant step for the WWE brand, and more great news for our passionate fanbase in the UK.’

And James Tatam – VP Commercial, Digital and Operations at Channel 5 – said the network was delighted to be bringing WWE’s ‘high-quality entertainment’ to a huge audience.

He added: ‘WWE has strong appeal throughout the UK and across generations so we’re very excited to be bringing their high-quality entertainment to an even bigger free-to-air audience in the UK.’

The exciting development comes just weeks after WWE launched on BT Sport, with live weekly broadcasts and prime time repeats of Raw, SmackDown and NXT, as well as weekly broadcasts of NXT UK and monthly pay-per-views via BT Sport Box Office.

Got a showbiz story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: WWE Raw results and recap: Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy become champions leading into Royal Rumble

MORE: How to watch WWE Royal Rumble: Start time, match card and more