The WWE Network?

[D Mac]

Wrestleview.com:

During a WWE conference call late last year, Vince McMahon discussed the possibility of creating a "WWE Network" and there might be signs right now of the company beginning that process. PWInsider is reporting that WWE was seeking a "Temporary Part Time Logger" for their video library digitalization project. According to reports, the digitalization of footage would make things very easy for WWE to use their huge video library for the proposed network. Were told that once the logging process is finished and the archives are digitalized, WWE could run a network with just a small staff.

[Nicky Fives]

If I lived in Connecticut (or even was American), I would so apply for that job......

[taker707]

During this morning’s investor conference call, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon says he is planning to launch WWE’s upcoming television network by next summer. He said WWE is already working on the project:

“Right now, we’re continuing along the lines of a formula in which we will soon be presenting and taking the next steps. We think there is tremendous opportunity,” he said. “If things happen as we hope, it will be a really big game-changer. There is huge opportunity as it relates to domestically and internationally. We are pursuing that and taking the next steps.”

McMahon does not think WWE’s current television partners will mind WWE promoting their own network during current WWE programming and compared their strategy to how the NFL promotes their own NFL network during NFL games on CBS, ESPN, etc. He also said WWE plans to keep RAW on the USA Network for many years to come, while SmackDown’s future is less certain.

“The strategy will be maintaining the broadcasts, therefore, keeping Raw on USA Net for many years to come and find a really strong home, whether it be MyNet or someone else, for Smackdown,” he said. “We don’t see any interruption for Raw or Smackdown. The new network could tie-in to Raw and Smackdown and enhance the two brands.”

[D Mac]

Just have Raw and SD replays on the Network, like NFL network does.

[kareru]

they could show XFL

[redoneja]

Hmm. Sounds like a potentially good idea. They could replay Raw and Smackdown, air old WWF/E PPV and TV shows, as well as programming blocks of WCW, ECW, AWA, WCCW, etc. And then they could fill the gaps with original programming like they have on WWE 24/7 or WWE OnDemand or whatever they call it now.

Of course, I dunno what the market would be for a 24/7 pro wrestling network. Sure it sounds great for people like us, but I don't know if it would go over to a wider audience. But they do have a Golf Channel, so I guess anything is possible.

[Droford]

Its supposed to be replacing Universal HD.

[Xero]

they could show XFL

WBF!

Er, WBE.

:shifty:

[Gerard]

I pity the poor bastards that have to digitize it all, imagine the amount of blurring of the attitude logo that would have to be done! :eek:

[Xero]

I have to assume the vast majority of blurring is done, since they do air RAWs from that era on 24/7, and I'm sure the PPVs have been done.

I'd hate to be the blur guys and Vince announces that he struck a deal with the WWF to use the footage unblurred (which, for a network like this, would be in his favor).

I'd be all "FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-".

[Gerard]

I have to assume the vast majority of blurring is done, since they do air RAWs from that era on 24/7, and I'm sure the PPVs have been done.

Yeah they air raws from that time frame but they probably have a huge backlog of content that has to be done. You'd think they would try to work a deal with the wwf where usage of the logo is ok for archived footage.

Though i don't see vince going through with something like that, the panda has already fucked him once in court.

[Xero]

I mean, the problem with that was promoting it as the WWF. They could still call it "WWE RAW" in listings and on DVDs, just use the footage uncensored.

How the lawsuit even relates to archived footage is beyond me.

[Gerard]

I mean, the problem with that was promoting it as the WWF. They could still call it "WWE RAW" in listings and on DVDs, just use the footage uncensored.

How the lawsuit even relates to archived footage is beyond me.


It was all down to the logo really, it just seems to affect everything and anything that incorperated the wwf scratch logo.

[Xero]

Not true since they have to bleep/silence audio when they say "WWF".

I think the block logo was unaffected because it wasn't WWF's current logo. Maybe they didn't even have a trademark on it anymore at that point.

[Gerard]

The last i remember about it was shortly after the name change to wwe mcmahon said they still had an appeal in progress, that was years ago now and there doesn't seem to be any movement on it.

[Loose Cannon]

I've been waiting for this since I was 4

[Vastardikai]

Seriously, WWE has enough archived footage to make this work.

Raw and SD! replays, some older WWE shows, a new Tuesday Night Titans (some of the under-card guys could seriously benefit from character development), Old episodes of ECW, SMW, AWA, JCP, GCW, & WCCW. Also, some Best ofs. And the awful WWE films.

[Xero]

I'd love to know exactly how many hours WWE owns in their library.

I mean, with RAW alone from 96-2010 they have about 1,352 hours. Which equates to 56 days of non-repeating content.

[Xero]

I think the biggest question here is what they'd put up against RAW and PPVs, since they wouldn't want to lose those buys/views to old content.

[Loose Cannon]

they easily got enough to cover 360 days. All the Raw's, Smackdown's, Nitor's, Thunders, WWF Superstars, Wrestling Challenge, WCW Saturday Night, and then all the programing from World Class, AWA, Georgia, Florida etc etc etc...

[Fignuts]

I don't think anyone is doubting whether they have enough material. The question is whether this is a good move, financially.

[The Franchise]

I like this idea. Would be nice to watch older stuff on TV rather than downloading it and watching it on a 15" laptop screen. :/

[Jeritron]

Would this mean the elimination of WWE on demand?

I'd imagine the people who subscribe to that would no longer have much reason to if this channel existed.
If I subscribed to that, and this came out, I'd want it cancelled.

It could also hurt their dvd sales too. They'd have to show old television shows and PPVs other than Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble. They'd also probably want to avoid showing PPVs that featured classic matches, so as to keep the demand high for compilation DVD sets.

I guess the pros would be that they could reach their audience for far more hours a week and shill more of their shit on them. Lots of glowstick advertisements.

[Innovator]

Just show the Roundtables 24/7, I'll be happy

[Xero]

I have a feeling a lot of their airing will be non-WWE related stuff. Like shitty movies that have nothing to do with them.

Though imagine a "Best of Hulk Hogan" day featuring Mr. Nanny, Suburban Commando and Thunder in Paradise!

[parkmania]

It could also hurt their dvd sales too.

Since they'd probably be a premium channel, I'd bet the offsetting revenue would more than make up for this.