MUMBAI: WWE and Turkish digital platform D-Smart have announced a two-year television distribution deal that brings WWE?s weekly flagship television programmes, WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown, to D-Smart.

Under this new agreement, the one-hour international versions of WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown will be available every Saturday night at 11 pm (SmackDown) and 12 am (Raw) on D-Smart channel 77, Smart Spor.

WWE International senior VP, MD Ed Wells said, ?We?re thrilled to announce this new partnership with D-Smart which is representative of WWE?s plans in the region to expand the brand."

D-Smart CEO Ali G?ven said, ?It?s show time in Turkey for WWE fans. The vivid action of WWE has huge appeal with fans in Turkey and will add more value to D-Smart?s rich array of content."

MUMBAI: WWE is expanding its ?Raw? franchise from two hours to a three-hour event 52 weeks a year. Ten Sports airs WWE action in India.

The extended telecast will kick-off on 23 July on US cable network USA Network and marks the 1000th episode of the WWE Raw franchise and a television record - no other series has ever reached this milestone.

USA Network co-presidents Chris McCumber, Jeff Wachtel said, "The WWE Universe is one of the most socially active and passionate fan bases in all of television. The powerful three-hour block of live TV truly makes USA the year-round destination for young male viewers on Monday nights."

The expanded WWE Monday Night Raw will aim to transform television to an unprecedented level of viewer interaction. Fans will have new ways to get involved in the show through WWE.com and social media by deciding matches, stipulations and new character development. WWE will brand this unprecedented fan interaction as "RAWactive."

WWE chairman, CEO Vince McMahon said, "Our new three-hour Raw represents the next generation in interactive television where our fans won?t just watch the show, they will help create it."