PDA

View Full Version : RAW to Stay with NBC/USA Network; Smackdown to get new Home


Emperor Smeat
05-16-2018, 09:56 PM
According to the Hollywood Reporter via the Observer, NBC is currently reported to want to keep RAW but have no desire to also keep Smackdown as part of a package deal.

According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday, NBCUniversal is looking to bring back WWE Raw at a hefty increase while declining to re-up WWE SmackDown, allowing the company to shop the Tuesday night staple around to other media outlets.

The report said that the Raw deal "is expected to close at as much as three times its current value" and would remain on USA Network. They added that Fox is a potential suitor for SmackDown, a network that had been rumored for months for Raw as well.

Link to the report: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/wwe-smackdown-up-grabs-as-nbcuniversal-moves-lock-down-raw-1112671

slik
05-16-2018, 10:00 PM
WWE about to get dat $$$

slik
05-16-2018, 10:20 PM
Investigation Discovery for SD plz, already watch that channel all the time

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 02:47 AM
Three times the current deal? I'll believe that when it happens. It'll be interesting to see where SmackDown ends up, but for god's sake, this is the perfect time to end it. The possibility of getting onto a network is probably too good to pass up though.

Emperor Smeat
05-17-2018, 03:01 AM
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Have no idea of that report has any validity, but let's assume it does.<br><br>Imagine the rights fees WWE could garner if they were any good at making stars, the ratings were good, and the company was hot.</p>&mdash; Voices of Wrestling (@voiceswrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling/status/996892031858470912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Could probably get legit NASCAR-like money ($800+ million I think) if that was the situation. WWE tried to BS their way into getting something close to it last time and got denied hard in the end.

UFC getting over $300 million really helped out the WWE since it seemed FOX and NBC were leaning towards the $200+ million range for RAW & Smackdown combined.

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 04:25 AM
Them taking SmackDown to FOX would at least be interesting, because then the dynamics of the product change. You'll have a wider range of people watching, due to the network access, which means that the show could have a different demographic appeal. I don't mean this in a racist way, but it opens up SmackDown to a lot more homes on the lower end of the socio-economic scale, which might appreciated acts with different ethnic backgrounds. It could, ironically, make SmackDown a higher priority.

Ha, like that would ever change. But I think everything being under one roof is kind of detrimental to the company right now.

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 04:32 AM
I wonder if this will affect the brand split? I don't expect the WWE to abandon ship (although they have moved through the motions with this version a lot quicker than the last one), but if they get SmackDown on a network seen by more people, I can see them wanting to put their best foot forward with it. The brand split was all about making SmackDown seem valuable, but if it is left out of the deal, then maybe they will want to throw Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Triple H, Kurt Angle, etc. into the promotion?

ClockShot
05-17-2018, 06:02 AM
Yikes.

Smackdown is the better show these days but it's going to be tricky finding a new home.

I was thinking Spike/Paramount, but that was one messy divorce and I doubt they'd go back.

You sure as hell don't want to follow TNA and hop from network to network every few months.

Fox would work. But I don't want to see it buried in FoxSports 1. The main channel or FX will do just fine. You gotta get it front and center.

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 06:05 AM
Maybe they will take it to Facebook? :shifty:

screech
05-17-2018, 06:09 AM
Maybe they will take it to Facebook? :shifty:

They already have tweets scrolling across the screen all night, so why not? Totally best for business! :shifty:

Would be hilarious if they did this and got a bunch of porn bots commenting live like MLB did during their first few Facebook broadcasts.

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 07:32 AM
That would be delightful. Either that or girls Tom Phillips has messaged post them in the comments.

Big Vic
05-17-2018, 08:06 AM
Hope they move it to NRA-TV

AJ: "Nakamura! you're not going to hit my nuts anymore"

*cocks gun*

Corey: "Wow Byron that's the popular M&P M2.0 compact pistol which now comes complete with tactical Crimson Trace Green Laserguard with Instinctive Activation!"

Byron: "Neat!"

Evil Vito
05-17-2018, 09:21 AM
Move SmackDown to Food Network

slik
05-17-2018, 09:40 AM
Interesting Note -- in the Observer this week Meltz notes that if RAW really is getting a 300% pay increase it makes more sense financially to put the biggest matches on RAW (during sweeps I presume) as opposed to the Network because RAW will be more profitable than the Network.

Innovator
05-17-2018, 09:46 AM
Someone on reddit brought it up, I want to see Smackdown to go History and have Rick Harrison be the GM

slik
05-17-2018, 10:00 AM
Here's what the Meltz said


https://i.imgur.com/Sw6mqiC.png

Dukelorange
05-17-2018, 10:08 AM
Put in on Cartoon Network on Adult Swim.

erickman
05-17-2018, 10:53 AM
Here's what the Meltz said


https://i.imgur.com/Sw6mqiC.png

so they will go to the wcw nitro model have the ppv set up for raw instead of raw set up for ppv, good going vince killing the ppv with the network.

slik
05-17-2018, 10:59 AM
That's just what Meltz is suggesting, not guaranteeing it will happen

However, he is right tbh, as much as I love PPVs. Could easily make RAW once a month a 'tv special' called insert ppv name here minus the big shows.

erickman
05-17-2018, 10:59 AM
with fox entertainment about to be bought by ether Disney or Comcast, if fox goes for it, it would have to go to fs1. this is a bad time to shop smackdown

slik
05-17-2018, 11:00 AM
If they did that (RAW hosting a 'ppv' once a month on Mondays), and SD didn't get a good offer, they could offset having so many ppvs on the Network by making SD a Network exclusive.

erickman
05-17-2018, 11:24 AM
yeah if they can't sale smackdown ether get rid of it or make it a network show, but think it will end up on fs1, the ch that tna started on.

#1-norm-fan
05-17-2018, 11:26 AM
Maybe Smackdown can just be aired via a series of Touts. Let that tree finally bear fruit.

Destor
05-17-2018, 12:10 PM
so they will go to the wcw nitro model have the ppv set up for raw instead of raw set up for ppv, good going vince killing the ppv with the network.

The point is to make money not sell ppvs. o.O

SlickyTrickyDamon
05-17-2018, 12:22 PM
so they will go to the wcw nitro model have the ppv set up for raw instead of raw set up for ppv, good going vince killing the ppv with the network.

Nitro didn't get rights fees. They were owned by Turner.

erickman
05-17-2018, 12:37 PM
Nitro didn't get rights fees. They were owned by Turner.

point I was making was they gave a lot of good matchs for free to bump raw ratings and used the ppvs to do the same.

Destor
05-17-2018, 12:41 PM
"free"

Destor
05-17-2018, 12:41 PM
I dont think that means what you think that means

Innovator
05-17-2018, 12:45 PM
Stock hit $51.20 today, all time high for the company.

Big Vic
05-17-2018, 12:55 PM
Fuck I should have invested in WWE instead of bitcoin!

slik
05-17-2018, 01:42 PM
bring back pyro w/ all this new $$$ plz

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 02:01 PM
There's something very frustrating about the WWE getting worse and worse, their audience getting smaller and smaller, and them getting more and more money. Not even in a preoccupying way, but in an OCD, something about it is aesthetically unpleasant sort of way.

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 02:04 PM
Like, I can feel myself ticking over to the point where I want to detach myself so much that when I'm reading television news in a few years, I can be surprised WWE even still exists when I found out they are either folding or getting renewed for another 8 years and own a country in the Middle-East.

So is this deal real? I don't understand why NBC Universal would agree to this. It feels like they could have renewed for much of the same.

BigCrippyZ
05-17-2018, 02:52 PM
Like, I can feel myself ticking over to the point where I want to detach myself so much that when I'm reading television news in a few years, I can be surprised WWE even still exists when I found out they are either folding or getting renewed for another 8 years and own a country in the Middle-East.

So is this deal real? I don't understand why NBC Universal would agree to this. It feels like they could have renewed for much of the same.

If it is real, there are two primary reasons for the increase.

1. Selling their content to Disney, Fox and FS1 & 2 now have the $ and also the need for new original content, and so Fox was offering a similar figure for WWE programming, and probably in particular RAW, and

2. For both Fox and NBC, they've determined that over the length of whatever agreement(s) they've offered or may offer, at least currently, its less risk and more cost effective for them to pay WWE for it's content that has an already established audience, (despite the declining audience), then it is to attempt to develop new original content and build new audiences with no guarantee of return.

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 03:13 PM
If it is real, there are two primary reasons for the increase.

1. Selling their content to Disney, Fox and FS1 & 2 now have the $ and also the need for new original content, and so Fox was offering a similar figure for WWE programming, and probably in particular RAW, and

2. For both Fox and NBC, they've determined it's less risk and more cost effective over the length of whatever agreement(s) they've offered or may offer, that at least currently, its less risk and more cost effective for them to pay WWE for it's content that has an already established audience, (despite the declining audience), then it is to attempt to develop new original content and build new audiences with no guarantee of return.

Both of those make perfect sense. A FOX offer edging up the price is a safe bed. I suppose keeping that audience is worth something, but in lieu of that other offer, I don't know if an increase goes to follow, you know? This is your field though. I suppose it is common in television for fees to increase as things go on, but does triple the amount sound right without the FOX offer?

Emperor Smeat
05-17-2018, 04:04 PM
That's just what Meltz is suggesting, not guaranteeing it will happen

However, he is right tbh, as much as I love PPVs. Could easily make RAW once a month a 'tv special' called insert ppv name here minus the big shows.
WWE tried that with Smackdwn a couple of times during the current brand split era and mainly whenever Smackdown had to wait 2 months for a PPV.

Although that was more of Smackdown Creative not wanting to stretch things over 2 months instead of actually booking things towards a special Smackdown show.

BigCrippyZ
05-17-2018, 05:20 PM
Both of those make perfect sense. A FOX offer edging up the price is a safe bed. I suppose keeping that audience is worth something, but in lieu of that other offer, I don't know if an increase goes to follow, you know? This is your field though. I suppose it is common in television for fees to increase as things go on, but does triple the amount sound right without the FOX offer?

Triple the amount? No, that's not likely to occur without a similar competing offer or some other rare unknown outside factor being a big impact and consideration.

It is true that the longer they've been on the air and on a particular network, a majority of television properties and broadcast rights, generally increase in fees (and also usually costs) over time.

However, to increase 3x, given the WWE's decline in ratings and viewership, is pretty remarkable without some outside factor (Fox's competing interest and very likely similar offer, it appears in this case) playing a big role.

Mr. Nerfect
05-17-2018, 10:34 PM
Thanks. :y:

That’s the aim of the game, I guess. It’s frustrating that it’s one thing Vince still licks into. I’m at the stage where I am rooting against the WWE a little bit, because I don’t think they’ll better until they have to.

Emperor Smeat
05-17-2018, 10:37 PM
According to Variety, the current favorites to get Smackdown are FOX, Facebook, and Amazon.

Variety said that the leading candidates for landing Smackdown are Fox, Facebook and Amazon. WWE stock had a giant day off yesterday's news of how high bidding for Raw had gotten, closing at $50.31 per share, its all-time record.

#1-norm-fan
05-17-2018, 10:45 PM
I feel like, while ratings are in a steady decline, Raw is still a "safe" show. There's a built-in audience that means it's never in danger of suddenly dropping off the face of the earth suddenly ratings-wise. That's also why there's no urgent incentive to produce compelling television. I'd like to think that's not sustainable long term but no telling how long it's gonna be before they're actually FORCED to try to improve their product.

BigCrippyZ
05-17-2018, 11:17 PM
I feel like, while ratings are in a steady decline, Raw is still a "safe" show. There's a built-in audience that means it's never in danger of suddenly dropping off the face of the earth suddenly ratings-wise. That's also why there's no urgent incentive to produce compelling television. I'd like to think that's not sustainable long term but no telling how long it's gonna be before they're actually FORCED to try to improve their product.

Exactly. Unfortunately there's no real reason or incentive for them to take any risks by attempting to improve the product when the current product (no matter how poor or mediocre it is) is still keeping them the only and most successful "sports entertainment" company in the world.

screech
05-17-2018, 11:32 PM
According to Variety, the current favorites to get Smackdown are FOX, Facebook, and Amazon.

Interesting. Could the show being on Amazon lead to it being commercial-free (assuming it goes to Prime, that is)?

SlickyTrickyDamon
05-17-2018, 11:44 PM
Heard Fox Sports or national fox.

Emperor Smeat
05-18-2018, 12:12 AM
Interesting. Could the show being on Amazon lead to it being commercial-free (assuming it goes to Prime, that is)?

Not unless WWE got compensated generously for the lost ad revenue. They current get paid by NBC and USA for RAW & Smackdown and also get a percentage of ad revenue on top of it.

WWE would probably just air more of their own ads like they do with the Network than gut the ad time out of their shows.

Emperor Smeat
05-18-2018, 12:29 AM
I feel like, while ratings are in a steady decline, Raw is still a "safe" show. There's a built-in audience that means it's never in danger of suddenly dropping off the face of the earth suddenly ratings-wise. That's also why there's no urgent incentive to produce compelling television. I'd like to think that's not sustainable long term but no telling how long it's gonna be before they're actually FORCED to try to improve their product.

Assuming the Observer's theory of Smackdown being WWE's actual hardcore viewerbase, RAW would need to drop by another 500-700k before WWE starts to really worry about RAW. USA Network pretty much would no longer be able to compete in the Top 5 for networks for Mondays by that point.

Worst case for WWE is this happens within the next 2-3 years and best case is RAW plateaus at some point and takes way longer to happen. Also worst case is USA Network finally gets their big 1-2 shows and are hurt more by not putting it on RAW's time spot.

Mr. Nerfect
05-18-2018, 03:54 AM
I feel like, while ratings are in a steady decline, Raw is still a "safe" show. There's a built-in audience that means it's never in danger of suddenly dropping off the face of the earth suddenly ratings-wise. That's also why there's no urgent incentive to produce compelling television. I'd like to think that's not sustainable long term but no telling how long it's gonna be before they're actually FORCED to try to improve their product.

That's right. Their ratings and share are consistently going down, but they are still near the top in terms of demographics, often bested by stuff like Love & Hip Hop, which doesn't have the same pedigree and guarantee for prolonged success. That third hour, sucky as it is, often beats everything else in the slot too. It performs much lower than hour one or two, but comparatively, it's WWE's most successful.

Mr. Nerfect
05-18-2018, 03:56 AM
There's no way they would ever, ever do this, but I'd mark out if they put SmackDown on Fox on Mondays and started a legit war with themselves. :shifty:

screech
05-18-2018, 06:01 AM
That'd be a true brand split, at least.

slik
05-18-2018, 09:21 AM
I thought Facebook Watch was a success, from a production standpoint. I never had any lag when I watched the Mixed Match Challenge show. If it goes to FB and anyone can watch essentially anywhere I think that's a big plus.

I'm also intrigued by the possibility of Amazon for similar reasons -- a Prime exclusive, like screech said, could be very cool and live tv would be something new for Amazon I believe. FOX I think the downside of FS1 is not as many eyeballs have it in their cable package as the USA Network so ratings drop...but as has been pointed out multiple times in this thread, lower ratings don't seem to matter in the current tv landscape as much (which I don't get...but oh well).

Simple Fan
05-18-2018, 09:30 AM
I think FS1 or ESPN would be great for Smackdown. Preferably FS1 as I can't stand ESPN anymore but being on a sports channel could give it a reason to have a different feel from Raw. I'd stop watching if they put it on Facebook or Amazon.

#1-norm-fan
05-18-2018, 09:49 AM
lol Apparently Smackdown on Facebook potentially is a rumor that's picking up steam.

Big Vic
05-18-2018, 10:23 AM
If they're going to do it anywhere online they should do it on twitch...... Still don't think they should do it online tho.

erickman
05-18-2018, 10:37 AM
amazon would probly offer the most money, that would help sale firesticks if they got smackdown. I still think fox sports is in the lead to get smackdown unless they try to low ball there offer.

Simple Fan
05-18-2018, 10:46 AM
I'd be OK with the Twitch route but I don't think they can offer the money Facebook or Amazon could. Still hope they end up on FS1.

erickman
05-18-2018, 10:54 AM
I'd be OK with the Twitch route but I don't think they can offer the money Facebook or Amazon could. Still hope they end up on FS1.

yeah I don't know if twitch has the money yet, an after watching impact stuff on twitch there tech is not ready for the wwe.

Simple Fan
05-18-2018, 10:57 AM
yeah I don't know if twitch has the money yet, an after watching impact stuff on twitch there tech is not ready for the wwe.

I'd assume thats all on Impact and not Twitch. WWE would being their production crews and probably not miss a step. Wouldn't even compare to Impact airing a live event with little preparation.

erickman
05-18-2018, 11:08 AM
well they would see what not to do, hey lets just put a camera on josh and see what he does.

Simple Fan
05-18-2018, 11:12 AM
Josh has been the best part of Impact on Twitch. Really good behind the scenes look at what goes into a show.

Simple Fan
05-18-2018, 11:14 AM
This could also make Smackdown a 3 hour show which I'd be all for. Drop 205 Live and just merge it with Smackdown.

Big Vic
05-18-2018, 11:47 AM
With twitch you can sell subscriptions, and get bits etc.

slik
05-18-2018, 12:24 PM
This could also make Smackdown a 3 hour show which I'd be all for. Drop 205 Live and just merge it with Smackdown.


NO



WWE does not need another 3 hr show. I was rooting for FOX to get RAW since it was rumored they wanted it back at 2 hrs.

XL
05-18-2018, 01:41 PM
They should trial a SmackDown on Facebook to see what the viewership ends up like.

SlickyTrickyDamon
05-18-2018, 01:56 PM
If they're going to do it anywhere online they should do it on twitch...... Still don't think they should do it online tho.

Fuck that shit. All the smaller feds are on Twitch. You don't hop onto that unless they kick everybody else off of it as part of the deal. :naughty:

Facebook Watch worked well enough for the Challenge but that was only like 15 minutes. Don't want to be on a screen watching a Facebook stream for 2 hours.

SlickyTrickyDamon
05-18-2018, 01:57 PM
With twitch you can sell subscriptions, and get bits etc.

Which is nothing a major company like WWE needs. Shove your bits.

Big Vic
05-18-2018, 02:01 PM
Right but I am assuming Twitch would also be paying for the rights as well.

Big Vic
05-18-2018, 02:03 PM
Fuck that shit. All the smaller feds are on Twitch. You don't hop onto that unless they kick everybody else off of it as part of the deal. :naughty:
Maybe they can compete with Juan on Justin.tv

erickman
05-18-2018, 02:16 PM
does amazon own twitch, I know amazon and twitch will work togather on thur night football.

Big Vic
05-18-2018, 02:19 PM
That is correct.

Simple Fan
05-18-2018, 02:37 PM
Fuck that shit. All the smaller feds are on Twitch. You don't hop onto that unless they kick everybody else off of it as part of the deal.

How does that make any sense for Twitch or WWE? Thats like saying cable should drop all wrestling except WWE because WWE is on cable. WWE shouldn't be concerned about smaller promotions and have even advertised the GWN. It's not like there would be a Twitch War or anything like that, no one would pull the numbers WWE would. WWE doesn't need to be like that anymore.

HOH and Wrestle Circus both benefit greatly from the exposure Twitch gives them because they don't have TV deals. WWE coming onto Twitch would probably up Twitch's membership and be more beneficial to them in that aspect.

SlickyTrickyDamon
05-18-2018, 02:48 PM
It wouldn't do shit for the WWE except make them look foolish.

Simple Fan
05-18-2018, 04:36 PM
Yeah asking Twitch to drop all other wrestling would be foolish.

LibSuperstar
05-18-2018, 05:12 PM
Yeah asking Twitch to drop all other wrestling would be foolish.

Very foolish! This isn't the '80s.

screech
05-18-2018, 05:36 PM
Is it possible that Hulu could pick it up? They already show the abbreviated replays on demand (which is great), and they do have a live TV plan available already.

Emperor Smeat
05-18-2018, 05:42 PM
How does that make any sense for Twitch or WWE? Thats like saying cable should drop all wrestling except WWE because WWE is on cable. WWE shouldn't be concerned about smaller promotions and have even advertised the GWN. It's not like there would be a Twitch War or anything like that, no one would pull the numbers WWE would. WWE doesn't need to be like that anymore.


Wouldn't be surprised if WWE would try to put in some restrictions for a potential deal but Twitch probably wants more and not less wrestling variety their service.

WWE has done similar antics in the past in terms of pettiness with the most recent of them going after ITV and Rev Pro in the UK since WWE wants the UK market to themselves even if it ends up hurting the revival going on there.

Mr. Nerfect
05-18-2018, 09:40 PM
Television isn't dead yet. It's transforming, but it isn't dead. I think a big reason they are getting these big money offers is because these networks need that content in order to justify their existence a little bit. Streaming services and online mediums are an avenue for the future, and they might one day be hungry for that built-in audience, but they can probably wring something out of someone and make it easy to find them.

But more and more I am seeing older demographics being shifted to these new forms of content delivery. Gambling companies and lotteries are trying to hook younger people over here with apps. If you want to go after a younger generation, moving away from traditional TV does make sense. I'm not sure if you do that with SmackDown, however. Maybe getting NXT on Facebook is a better option?

xrodmuc316
05-20-2018, 09:09 PM
I think NBC still wants Smackdown, but they are already paying 3 times more for Raw, so they probably just decided not to go for Smackdown on top of that. If WWE doesn't get any legit offers for Smackdown, I could see NBC coming in with a lower offer to move it back to SyFy.

I gotta think though Fox Sports is the likely landing spot since that is going to be Fox's business going forward.

As for PPV revenue, that hasn't been their main money maker since probably when TNN gave them a big contract to move Raw there in 2000

Ezra
05-20-2018, 09:41 PM
Yeah, NBC doesnt want to pay the money for both due to the cost and wwe knows they can get a lot more by seperating the two. I dont know much about just how good it would be for smackdown to go to Amazon or Facebook. I would think that overall it would lower the eye count in the long run to damage the blue brand and its roster. Smaller or lesser house shows equals a lot less pay. Now if you ended the brand split and went back to a bigger roster who knows. If it ends up on fox where they could feasibly gather a larger audience smackdown could go up to 3 hours and become a lot bigger deal and we may see a small brand reshuffle as fox would want bigger stars. Could definitely see fox pay for part of Lesnars paycheck to get him more dates much like spike did for sting.

Mr. Nerfect
05-21-2018, 02:22 AM
I can see Brock and Ronda being leveraging tools for SmackDown, which would mean that the brand split would have to end or they would have to be floaters like Cena and Taker.

Tom Guycott
05-22-2018, 05:14 AM
Move SmackDown to Food Network

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Iron Chef Morimoto at Summer Slam!

Emperor Smeat
05-25-2018, 09:35 PM
WWE currently rumored to be considering the idea of splitting up their streaming rights for RAW and Smackdown in order to squeeze more money out of their new contracts.

There is a discussion that the WWE could have another card to play regarding their distribution rights. BTIG analyst Brandon Ross recently wrote that he believes the company might be able to split their rights and strike a separate deal for the streaming rights to Raw and SmackDown. This follows the reports that NBC Universal is expected to renew Raw with a significant upgrade in price with The Hollywood Reporter citing up to three times the current value. In addition, Fox has agreed to spend $205 million per year for the rights to SmackDown when the NBC Universal agreement expires at the end of September 2019.

In the current deal with NBC Universal, the streaming rights for Raw and SmackDown went to Hulu, which NBC Universal has a stake in and after 30-days the shows are added to the WWE Network ...

The BTIG report estimates that Raw itself could fetch $25 million per year in streaming rights and bring the WWE’s overall domestic rights total to $500 million per year. To put that figure into perspective, the entire WWE generated $800 million in revenue in 2017.

Idea would be to copy what UFC was able to do for the deal they signed with ESPN.

erickman
05-26-2018, 10:03 AM
fox is part owner of hulu too so both fox and universal to keep hulu and keep amazon Netflix out.