WWE rumored to be selling off their tape library to Warner Bros

[Emperor Smeat]

Hasn't been confirmed nor deny yet by the Observer or other more reliable dirtsheet sources but the WWE is rumored right now to be considering selling off their tape library.

The original story from TheWrap.com: http://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-in-talks-to-acquire-entire-wwe-library-exclusive/
Warner Bros. is in talks to acquire the WWE library, two individuals with knowledge of the negotiations told TheWrap.

Warners Bros. and the WWE decline to comment.

While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the library is estimated to have nearly 150,000 hours of content, consisting of television shows, pay-per-view events and house shows dating back to the 1950s. It also contains a large selection of the visual history of modern professional wrestling, and is currently held by Cinedigm.

An insider with knowledge of Cinedigm's WWE contract told TheWrap there is no end date as yet, but the company is transitioning away from the library.

The WWE Network, which launched in February, has made use of the library but hasn't received enough monthly subscribers to make up for its lost pay-per-view orders. At $9.99 per month, it needed 1.3 to 1.4 million subscribers, but the company closed its first quarter with just under 670,000 subscribers and declining PPV revenue. The WWE Network believed it would reach one million subscribers this year.

The WWE Network is a 24/7-streaming network that features 12 WWE live pay-per-view events, original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches and more than 1,500 hours of video on demand at launch.


F4W story on hearing about the news and possible comparisons to UFC:
The Wrap.com has an article that WWE is in talks of selling its entire pro wrestling library to Warner Brothers. The story said that neither side would comment on the story and that WWE is transitioning away from using its library. It indicated it was due to disappointing network subscriptions.

The news comes at the same time that UFC is paying significant money to acquire a number of MMA libraries. A source with knowledge of two content libraries that UFC doesn't own said that negotiations for purchasing them has reached significant amounts of money.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

What the fuck?

[DAMN iNATOR]

I'm calling bullshit.

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah, this would never happen. License it out, sure, it's a possibility. But not selling it off.

[Rammsteinmad]

If that were to happen, what would happen to the WWE Network?

[The MAC]

If that were to happen, what would happen to the WWE Network?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K0DCKQ4FL.jpg

[whiteyford]

If anything you'd think they'd be acquiring more not selling it off, they were reported to be trying for Memphis and the WWC libraries just weeks ago.

[BigCrippyZ]

This sounds more like someone who either didn't get accurate information or didn't understand the information they were given.

It's more likely that WWE is in talks with Warner Bros. to switch their distribution from Cinedigm. In other words, Cinedigm currently handles DVD releases to retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc., and digital aggregation of WWE content to services like Netflix, etc. It's more likely they're discussing with Warner Bros. to handle this distribution in the hopes of Warner Bros. taking a smaller cut of the revenues in acting as their distributor.

I could be wrong but this seems much more likely. I don't see a reason for WWE to sell one of their most valuable and long-term growth assets by selling their intellectual property.

[slik]

I know thewrap.com looks like a legit site, and it does occasionally post things that are accurate, but I can tell you from a standpoint of having worked in the entertainment biz it is very unreliable and the owner of the site doesn't have the best rep.

Here's a perfect example of the owner saying something completely stupid (and incorrect) about the Fast & Furious films after Paul Walker's death:

defamer.gawker.com/hollywood-expert-sharon-waxman-shares-no-actual-exper-1480512500 (http://defamer.gawker.com/hollywood-expert-sharon-waxman-shares-no-actual-exper-1480512500)

I would proceed with caution with this story. If it pops up on the Hollywood Reporter, Variety or Deadline then it is more likely to be true.

[BigCrippyZ]

:lol: Ryan Clark trying to make this story seem more legit and the story and himself as more important.

Basically, we’ve been trying to tell some of you guys this for MONTHS now … the WWE Network #’s are WELL BELOW what they wanted/thought they could get. Hopefully this is proof that you see now. It’s sad as most of us wanted the Network to succeed but it’s simply not happening. WWE would need to go back to traditional PPVs … and take a HUGE LOSS as they basically said “FU” to PPV companies hoping the Network would work. Now … the PPV companies would set the profit split as WWE comes “begging back” …. something like a 60/40 (maybe more) split in favor of the cable providers. A HUGE loss for WWE if this happens. As noted, the network is failing #’s wise … and WWE knows it. Not good. It’s possible WWE may try to “merge” with UFC’s network as sources say they are paying significant money to acquire a number of MMA libraries. A source with knowledge of two content libraries that UFC doesn’t own said that negotiations for purchasing them has reached significant amounts of money. WWE would surely negotiate with them before they go back to traditional PPV events. The issue is …. would UFC be willing to combine networks with WWE?

[Ruien]

If people refuse to get the network then maybe they need to fix their product. I would have been happy to give $10.00 of my allowance a month to watch the ppvs monthly when I was a teenager.

[Bad News Gertner]

It's for license and distribution

[Kingofdaswing]

This is bullshit.

But seriously, they don't even have 1M in subscribers. 1 M people watch TNA every week. For 10 bucks a month, it's pretty obvious, the product is shit.

[whiteyford]

How many watch WWE each week? More than a million I'm sure, but you're not paying 10 bucks a month for either for weekly tv.

[Droford]

What the hell would WB want with the WWEs tape library..that's what doesn't make any sense to me

[Bad News Gertner]

It's for distribution. What part of that don't some of you get?

[ron the dial]

the "reading" part.

[Mercenary]

Regarding the story from TheWrap.com that said WWE is in talks with Warner Bros. to sell their tape library, those reports are not true. A reliable WWE source has confirmed the story to be incorrect and other WWE sources told Mike Johnson of PWInsider that there was nothing to the story either.

On a related note, TheWrap.com story claimed that Cinedigm currently owns the WWE library. PWInsider points out that is not true as WWE owns their own library. This has been touted by WWE CFO George Barrios during several financial calls. Cinedigm is, however, the current distributor of all WWE DVD releases.



So can we call this newz now?

[Droford]

It's for distribution. What part of that don't some of you get?

WB wouldn't need to own the tape library in order to distribute it though. So it still doesn't make any sense.

[#1-norm-fan]

...

[BigCrippyZ]

WB wouldn't need to own the tape library in order to distribute it though. So it still doesn't make any sense.

That's because someone either didn't understand the difference between a agreement to purchase vs an agreement to distribute or they intentionally made a incorrect statement.

[XL]

WB wouldn't need to own the tape library in order to distribute it though. So it still doesn't make any sense.

It doesn't make sense because the story is bogus/incorrect. Use that context and it makes total sense.

[DAMN iNATOR]

That's because someone either didn't understand the difference between a agreement to purchase vs an agreement to distribute or they intentionally made a incorrect statement.

http://allthingsd.com/files/2012/11/dewey-defeats-truman.jpg

[The Rogerer]

Ryan Clark is Triple A

[Destor]

Regarding the story from TheWrap.com that said WWE is in talks with Warner Bros. to sell their tape library, those reports are not true. A reliable WWE source has confirmed the story to be incorrect and other WWE sources told Mike Johnson of PWInsider that there was nothing to the story either.

On a related note, TheWrap.com story claimed that Cinedigm currently owns the WWE library. PWInsider points out that is not true as WWE owns their own library. This has been touted by WWE CFO George Barrios during several financial calls. Cinedigm is, however, the current distributor of all WWE DVD releases.



So can we call this newz now?
they may however be going to Warner for distribution

[Tazz Dan]

That's just crazy talk right there!