Starting Oct. 5, wrestler fans in Mexico will be able to follow the action of WWERaw on Galavision channel 9, following an agreement between Stamford, Conn.-based World Wrestling Entertainment and Mexico’s largest media company, Grupo Televisa.
The move, which is part of WWE’s efforts to bolster its brand among Latin Americans, and increase viewership among Latinos in the region, was announced earlier this month at a crowded press conference in Mexico City’s swanky Polanco neighborhood.
With dozens of wrestling fans gathered outside The Hard Rock Café, trying to take a peek at their favorite wrestlers, WWE and Televisa executives finally made the announcement. WWERaw will air on the broadcast network Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. beginning Oct. 5.
Prior to this month’s announcement, WWERaw has been carried in Mexico on cable channel 52, which was only available to fewer than 1 million homes. Galavision, on the other hand, is available in more than 21 million households throughout the country.
Several other WWE shows are also available on cable channel 52, including the weekly Smackdown series, while ECW airs on satellite network FX Latin America WWE.
“WWE delivers ratings to our network partners around the world and we intend to continue to build the same level of success with Televisa,” said Shane McMahon, WWE executive vice president of global media, who is said to have been contemplating a deal in Mexico for several months. “WWE is very excited to be bringing Raw to Mexican viewers who have a rich lucha libre heritage,” he added.
