Netflix fans could face a massive £1,000 fine after watching a huge new show.
Earlier this month, WWE Monday Night Raw debuted on the streaming device, with hundreds of wrestling shows now available to stream on the platform.
The premiere episode on January 6 attracted 4.9 million live viewers globally, including 2.6 million in the United States, and days later reached No. 4 in Netflix’s weekly global TV rankings.
However, Britons could face a penalty for watching the live show – which is broadcast at 1am every Monday night – if they don’t already have a TV licence.
Although you don’t need one to watch Netflix on-demand content, streaming is another issue.
On Gov.uk, the site warns: “You could be fined up to £1,000 if you watch or record live TV without a TV licence.”
“Under UK law, any live TV broadcast requires a valid TV licence, regardless of the streaming platform,” Daniel McAfee, head of legal operations at Lawhive, told MailOnline.
First broadcast in January 1993, Monday Night Raw is one of the longest running weekly shows in history, with fans worldwide.
Its move to Netflix marked the end of an era after more than three decades on traditional television – but now WWE fans can access it all via the streaming device.
In addition to the weekly Raw, NXT and SmackDown live shows on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, fans can also tune in to each featured monthly live event, with the Royal Rumble coming up on February 1st.
There are some gems to dig into too, with almost all of WWE’s historic pay-per-view/live highlights – including every WrestleMania – available to watch on-demand.
All of NXT TakeOver is there too, along with select episodes of Raw and SmackDown (including everything from the past two years), with plenty more on the way in the coming months.
Netflix’s first Raw was star-studded, with everyone from Seth Green and Macaulay Culkin to Ashton Kutcher and Vanessa Hudgens appearing in the front row.
As well as the return of legends such as The Undertaker, John Cena, The Rock and Hulk Hogan – who had a night to remember with fans booing him outside the building – the event also gave new fans a taste of what’s on offer.
CM Punk, Roman Reigns and Rhea Ripley were among the big winners of the night, with the latter defeating old rival Liv Morgan to become the Women’s World Champion.
WWE continued that momentum earlier this week on Raw, where former AEW wrestler Penta made his long-awaited debut.
SmackDown star Chelsea Green Metro said: ‘It’s incredible, such a talented human being. So I would be – Oh my God! I would be very excited to work with him.
Netflix is the official home of WWE in the United Kingdom.
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