It's official, bitches

[Innovator]

NEW YORK & STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)----World Wrestling Entertainment(R) and NBC Universal have inked a new, three-year agreement that will return WWE cable programming, including ratings titan Monday Night RAW(R), to USA Network beginning in October 2005, it was announced today by Linda McMahon, WWE CEO, and Bonnie Hammer, president, USA Network and SCI FI Channel. RAW, a cable mainstay for more than 12 years, continues to be the most watched regularly scheduled year-round program on ad-supported cable television.

The agreement is a homecoming of sorts for WWE, which introduced Monday Night RAW on USA on January 11, 1993. The prime time cable series flourished for seven years, establishing cable ratings records, before moving to Spike TV on September 25, 2000.

"I'm thrilled to be back in business again with Vince and Linda McMahon," said Hammer. "I led the USA team that helped grow RAW into a true pop phenomenon, and it's great to welcome it home."

In addition to Monday Night Raw, USA will air a one-hour weekend RAW-branded program, and NBCU's Telemundo will air Spanish-language versions of RAW. NBC will also air at least two yearly, 90-minute Saturday late night RAW specials.

"This broad and diverse distribution will provide WWE excellent platforms from which to reach our existing fans as well as broaden our audience," said McMahon. "We're very happy to be returning to USA Network, where we experienced some of our greatest successes, and to NBC, where we had tremendous success with our series of late-night specials, Saturday Night Main Event, in the 1980's."

"The WWE's return to USA Network and our arrangement with the other NBC Universal properties, is indicative of how we as a company can offer unique cross-networking opportunities," added Jeff Gaspin, president NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Cross-Network Strategy. "RAW will put USA and NBC Universal Cable into an incredibly competitive position and I couldn't be happier about this relationship."

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Additional information relating to the agreement can be found in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC today by WWE.

USA Network is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. USA Network is seen in over 88 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreement, including television distribution agreement; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

Media Contacts: WWE Gary Davis, 203-353-5066 or USA Network John Kelley, 212-664-4774 or Investor Contact: WWE Michele Goldstein, 203-352-8642


Credit: PWInsider.com
-----------------

WWE BACK TO USA

[PureHatred]

In addition to Monday Night Raw, USA will air a one-hour weekend RAW-branded program,

Since Spike airs both Velocity and Heat, I guess this means either one or the other (most likely Velocity) are going to be broadcast through syndication? It doesn't say in the story but I wonder how much $ the WWE got on the deal.

And :y: to the possible return of Saturday Night's Main Event.

[Shadow]

But what about Smackdown!?

[Splaya]

Fuck yes, I mean we knew it was going to happen but still.


Watch Raw's rating absolutely sky rocket when they go back to USA

[SuperSlim]

yeah I was wondering what is going to happen to SmackDown!

but :y: :y: on raw comin back to USA

[PullMyFinger]

Fuck yes, I mean we knew it was going to happen but still.


Watch Raw's rating absolutely sky rocket when they go back to USA
I have a feeling the ratings will spike a little too (no pun intended to Spike TV).

Who knows what will happen to Smackdown!

I guess...does this bring the Spike and TNA deal even closer???

[Loose Cannon]

well Smackdown might go to NBC now. Probably wouldn't be Thursdays though.

[Shadow]

Awww...that would abso........no. Maybe it wouldn't.

[PullMyFinger]

well Smackdown might go to NBC now. Probably wouldn't be Thursdays though.
NBC? I doubt it...no way a major network of the big 4 would slap wrestling on a late night program...I don't think it would sit well with most people.

[Loose Cannon]

YEA, It's a long shot.

You also got FOX (including FX) and the WB. I've heard talks about FOX in the past.

[PureHatred]

Here, I posted this in another thread:

"I spoke with Susan Young, the author of The Oakland Tribune piece that Mike Johnson reported on yesterday, concerning Viacom's Leslie Moonves' comments about Smackdown's future on UPN. She told me that the quote in the paper was 100 percent accurate but that she incorrectly wrote that Smackdown's contract would not be renewed when she should have written that it may not be renewed. The quote took place when Moonves was talking about Smackdown's future on UPN last week. Moonves said that he didn't know how much time was left on the contract and asked UPN President Dawn Ostroff, who was also at the interview with him. She told him it expired in September of 2006. He then said he wasn't sure of the future of WWE on UPN and said it may not be renewed, with Young saying the tone of his voice and demeanor implying that it would not be.

He then issued this quote, about Smackdown. "It still makes us a decent amount of money," said Moonves. "When you think about the powerhouses of CBS and NBC on Thursday night, it's great counter-programming. (But) it doesn't fit into the overall (programming) strategy." "

Basically, they have more than a year left to renegotiate.

[Psycho C]

The only bad thing about this deal is that the Westminster Dog Show will ALWAYS preempt Raw.

[PullMyFinger]

The only bad thing about this deal is that the Westminster Dog Show will ALWAYS preempt Raw.
See, that's why I never understood USA. They would preempt Raw for some of the stupidest shit ever that would only bring in a mere fraction of the ratings.

Does USA still have that 2 week tennis shit that also preempts Raw?

I hope USA Network knows what to do this time around...

[PureHatred]

Does USA still have that 2 week tennis shit that also preempts Raw?



You mean the US Open? Yes, they still have it.

The Open gets better ratings than Raw. And in the case of the Open and the dog show, sponsors are more willing to pay to have their product advertised during those programs than on wrestling. It's still seen by the mainstream media as a little "white trash-esque."

[Psycho C]

Kinda sad that companies would rather pay to see dogs prance around instead of big, sweaty guys tangled up in....

Never mind.
Point taken.

[PullMyFinger]

You mean the US Open? Yes, they still have it.

The Open gets better ratings than Raw. And in the case of the Open and the dog show, sponsors are more willing to pay to have their product advertised during those programs than on wrestling. It's still seen by the mainstream media as a little "white trash-esque."
Fuck, this is going to be super gay. If TNA is on Spike though, they'll capitalize on it.

[Kane Knight]

See, that's why I never understood USA. They would preempt Raw for some of the stupidest shit ever that would only bring in a mere fraction of the ratings.

Does USA still have that 2 week tennis shit that also preempts Raw?

I hope USA Network knows what to do this time around...
Tennis outdoes RAW.

But Hell, why would they want big money from yuppy sponsors advertising for puppies?

[Kane Knight]

Fuck, this is going to be super gay. If TNA is on Spike though, they'll capitalize on it.
These days, I'm not quite sure missing a couple eps of Raw matters too much.

[adamwwe]

If WWE were smart (some days thats asking a lot, I know) they would time the occassional NBC RAW specials (Saturday Night's Main Event?? *marking out*) around the weeks that RAW is preempted. That wouldn't be so bad.

Man, the NBC part of the deal is wicked news.

[Cool King]

It's gonna look weird,seeing the USA logo where the Spike Logo was.:-\(Next to the Titantron)

[RGWhat316]

Yeah, as long as they don't preempt RAW again, I'm alright with them going back to USA.

[PullMyFinger]

It was weird seeing the TNN/Spike logo after they left the USA network. Same shit haha.

It's amazing how NBC is so acceptive of McMahon this time around...considering last time's horrific XFL deal...where they wanted to pull the plug haha in the middle of the season.

[Kane Knight]

It was weird seeing the TNN/Spike logo after they left the USA network. Same shit haha.

It's amazing how NBC is so acceptive of McMahon this time around...considering last time's horrific XFL deal...where they wanted to pull the plug haha in the middle of the season.
Yeah, but Raw's a little different than the XFL. One's an untried idea that's essentially a risk, the other's an established show.

[PullMyFinger]

Yeah, but Raw's a little different than the XFL. One's an untried idea that's essentially a risk, the other's an established show.
Yeah, I know. LOL They still rip on the XFL on sports radio in the morning.

[Kane Knight]

Rightly so.

[Kane Knight]

I liked the idea of the XFL, but MAN was it shit.

[PullMyFinger]

hahahahahhahahahahahaa I know, it was downright terrible!

The funniest part was, Vince McMahon's enthusiasm..."this is....THE X F L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and "THIS ISNT YOUR DADDYS LEAGUE!"

Then the SuperBowl game was supposed to be called "The Big Game At The End" which they changed to "The Million Dollar Game." :nono:

Though, NOTHING...and I mean NOTHING, comes to my head more when I think of the XFL than "He Hate Me." :shifty:

[Corkscrewed]

Did the WWE leave USA under bad terms? I thought they did, which is why the rhetoric in that statement struck me as funny. Ah well. I get USA I think, so it's still cool. :)

[RemyRed]

I hope they air it right after Walker, Texas Ranger again.

[Gone Mad]

But what about SMACKDOWN?! WHAT ABOUT ME?! WHAT ABOUT... um, Innovator?!

I personally like the idea of WWE back on USA. It's the dog shows that piss me off. You know that TNA would get the ratings that week, but still, that sucks!

And no, Raw won't be after Walker. It's Murder She Wrote or whatever else they play now. LOL at me remembering those times I had to watch that show to get to Raw.

[Kane Knight]

hahahahahhahahahahahaa I know, it was downright terrible!

The funniest part was, Vince McMahon's enthusiasm..."this is....THE X F L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and "THIS ISNT YOUR DADDYS LEAGUE!"

Then the SuperBowl game was supposed to be called "The Big Game At The End" which they changed to "The Million Dollar Game." :nono:

Though, NOTHING...and I mean NOTHING, comes to my head more when I think of the XFL than "He Hate Me." :shifty:
I still say he should feud with LEsnar.

"THIS ISNT YOUR DADDYS LEAGUE" Cracked me up because he really was very excited, and then it got dropped like acid at the HArdy Houze.

[Kane Knight]

I hope they air it right after Walker, Texas Ranger again.
This ins't Smakcdown. :p

[Kane Knight]

But what about SMACKDOWN?! WHAT ABOUT ME?! WHAT ABOUT... um, Innovator?!

I personally like the idea of WWE back on USA. It's the dog shows that piss me off. You know that TNA would get the ratings that week, but still, that sucks!

And no, Raw won't be after Walker. It's Murder She Wrote or whatever else they play now. LOL at me remembering those times I had to watch that show to get to Raw.
Smackdown will continue to be the B show. Since Raw is getting demoted, so will Smackdown...To dark matches.

On the upside, Stevie richards will finally seem credible, as he'll be better off than the Smackdown champ. He'll show up on TV once in a while.