WWE has a successful on demand channel that people seem to enjoy. They have MORE than enough material to run a network. Sure, it wouldn't run
24/7. It would be a lot like the sort of networks sports teams run. Regular reruns on the recent RAWs, SDs, and ECWs. You wouldn't want to
give too much away because that's stuff you can sell on DVD or 24/7. I think its just a Vince McMahon pipe dream he's been saying for
years. Its feasible but they'd have to deal with their contracts with SciFi, USA, and MyNetwork about replays of their programs. They'd
have to give up some DVD sales and 24/7 subscribers. There are ways to do it and if WWE wanted to run some old footage and even give air time to
small feds or foreign ones they could. A WRESTLING channel could work. A WWE channel has lots of roadblocks. And you should probably take this
about as seriously as the idea that WWE was going to set up satellite companies in foreign countries to try and build larger markets and develop a
true "WWE Universe." I'm sure they're thinking about it, but its a bold and complicated endeavor that probably won't even happen.
|
Never would have heard about this without twitter:
------------------------------------------------
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Cable_20/McMahon_Let_s_imagine_a_WWE_network.asp
McMahon: Let's imagine
a WWE network
New channel would be based on classic content
By Toni Fitzgerald
Aug 25, 2009
Talk about burying the lead.
Yesterday the Los Angeles Times ran a long feature on the evolution of the WWE, focusing on how Vince McMahon�s sports entertainment company has
become more family friendly.
Near the end, the story noted that the WWE�s next move will be to launch a network.
The surprising revelation has sparked lots of follow-up stories in other publications today, as people try to parse what an all-WWE channel would mean
for cable and for the organization�s current partners, scattered across broadcast and cable.
Of course as always the question with McMahon is how much is just his usual self-promotional blather. Still, a WWE network, however far off in the
future, is an intriguing prospect.
The organization is immensely popular, drawing thousands of fans to exhibitions and making millions off of pay-per-view events.
McMahon indicated that a new channel would not impact the WWE�s multi-million-dollar deal with USA Network, which carries �Monday Night Raw.�
The WWE is entering its second year of an agreement with MyNetworkTV, which succeeded the CW as the broadcast home of wrestling. And WWE programming
also runs on WGN America, Telemundo, mun2 and Syfy.
Instead of cannibalizing that programming, McMahon suggested that a new channel would act as a complement. The network would rely partly on library
material of older episodes, featuring now-retired grapplers like Hulk Hogan and The Rock.
�Raw� has seen its clout increase over recent years, with viewership hovering around 5.5 million total viewers this season and publicists eager to get
their clients on the program in an era of declining ratings for more traditional late-night and early-morning venues.
In recent months, �Raw� has attracted stars including LeBron James, Jeremy Piven and Donald Trump for guest bits.
Meanwhile, �Friday Night Smackdown� has helped MNTV�s ratings increase compared to the previous year for every single week this season.
------------------------------------------------
Not sure how this would be different from WWE 24/7, other than being free and not on demand, but sounds awesome.
|
