Meltzer reports ESPN + likely the new home for WWE PPVs (Update Pg. 2)
 

The Gist:


At the Q4 Vince said Network subscriptions are down 10% and Attendance is down 20% from this time last year. A big reason George Barrios/Michele Wilson were let go seems to be them advocating for the WWE Network to retain ppvs.


Vince is actively seeking a buyer, ideally another streaming service such as Hulu, Amazon, etc - to sell ppv rights to. This would mean WWE's live PPVs would no longer air on the WWE Network and fans would need to purchase them or get a subscription to another streaming service.


He is hopeful to make this happen ASAP. The idea of returning to traditional PPVs at the 50-60 dollars a ppv is also a possibility if he sees fit.



Can read more here and at all the various news sites who cover it even in further depth:

https://www.thewrap.com/wwe-stock-pl...-40-per-share/

If that's the case, RIP WWE Network

The $50 ppv got killed by the network when it launched. You can still get them for from Directv but...why?

If PPVs go away then the network is dead, no one's gonna pay $10 for back catalog PPVs. It could stay free with ads but they won't put the money into it if it's free.

The advantage to selling to Hulu/Netflix etc is they get potentially more eyes on the product and more money upfront.

It's obviously going to be either Hulu or Netflix.

That's a pretty terrible idea and just going to do even more damage to the Network.

Also they probably are going to do the same mistake like when the Network launched where they completely over-estimate the interest and value of their PPVs to both providers and customers.

Only reason AEW can get away with charging a premium for their PPVs is because they only hold a few per year and didn't purposely kill the value of their PPVs. WWE doesn't have that luxury in either case.

Wonder if NXT TakeOvers will also be sold as PPVs since that would just be another nail to the Network.

Ooooof

I bet his logic is that they will have more penetration on a larger streaming service and will increase ratings. I get that. But still ooooooof. Network will be doomed for sure.

On Meltzer's board he speculates the most likely buyer might be DAZN. He said they've been wanting to get into wrestling ppvs for a while.

I'm not familiar with them at all - does anyone have experience with their site or app?


https://www.dazn.com/en-US/l/sports/

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I feel a boom in the age of piracy be comin mateys

Vince and WWE legit used that same line of thinking when it came to them constantly bragging about their social media and Youtube exposure metrics and that resulted in basically nothing in terms of ratings boosts.

They have rights to soccer and other niche sports in other countries but the only rights they have in the US are for Bellator and some minor boxing

It's $20/month or $100/year obviously a deal if they keep the $100 rate, but I wouldn't pay $20 a month for it

I'd rather pay a little more for the network and keep all the features the way they are then having to potentially pay more for Netflix/Hulu/Dazn and lose the back catalog of shows too.

If Amazon buys it, I'd be happy cause I already pay for prime. I just can't see it being Amazon.

This is literally the only reason I ever got the network.
I bet a lot of people would still pay for it if they keep making documentaries and uploading classic territory footage.

Nah, I’d be out. I go halves with a friend but it’s already lost value due to NXT now not being available to me the day after air. This would be me saying bye to the network as you can get the most decent stuff “elsewhere”.

lolololool!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">VKM: When you're playing with some of the majors [OTT players] it depends on negotiation. if we could keep it [WWE Network], absolutely.<br><br>Lightshed: Is WWE Network a must have for you?<br><br>VKM: Nothing is a must have. We'll deal with what's available.</p>&mdash; Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1225457978813317121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pretty much a vote of no confidence on the Network's future if the top guy in charge doesn't see it as a "must have" value.

This seems like a bad idea.

But I usually watch the PPVs on Monday anyway so if they're still posted to the network the day after they air, I'm good.

Is this going to screw up me finding a free stream online?

I doubt Amazon would pick up ppvs. So that leaves Hulu and Netflix.

Disney got a majority stake in Hulu. Which makes me wonder if they want the PPVs, they'll want more.

Netflix would be cool. But would I have to pay extra to my membership to get them. If so, how much extra? And would they even want sports.

Bigger question, how's the stock doing?

Dropped by almost 10% today.

Currently around the value it was before the new tv deals were announced.

They really should try to just air WrestleMania on FOX to make it a big event like the Super Bowl (obviously not nearly as big)

are they going to try to get us to pay 50 bucks for there ppv's again good luck with that maybe mania but the others

I'd pay for the Rumble, SummerSlam, and WrestleMania.

For any of the others, I'd have to be really blown away by the card (assuming they're all not available on demand anymore).

The clue is in the term "Pay Per View".

WWE viewers have had it too good for too long!

This. Not only have the devalued their own product by making every PPV worth less than $9.99, they've actually made their own PPV worth even less than $9.99 due to the awful quality of their product. This just shows how much of a fucking idiot Vince is and has been over the last 5+ years.

WHO'S EXCITED FOR THE XFL THIS WEEKEND?!?!?!!!!?!! WHOOOOOO

I mean..fuck Vince but hope it lasts for the players, coaches, etc.

Bout time.

I actually am

Go defenders

Tickets arent bad for NY/NJ. 30 dollars.

If I ever go back to Metlife it will be too soon though. So, not going to happen.

like jim cornett said wwe killed the pay per view now they won't be able to put the horse in the barn again. what they should have done from the start of the network is keep the big 4 pay per views off the network till a month after shown live.

Pirate Paul Burchill approves, me hearty.
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...20151117071949

Auto-correct strikes again...:nono:

But would FOX really air a WrestleMania if it's theoretically like 8 or 9 hours long? Plus, if WWE wanted to add in commercial breaks and FOX was actually insane enough to air it, I doubt fans are sticking around for longer than an hour, *maybe* 2. Hell, it seems barely any stick around for 2 hours of NXT or SmackDown!.

They should cut it down to like 4 hours

If FOX aired WM the commercial breaks mid match, for that event in particular, would be weird. Same for the Royal Rumble.

I wonder if FB or YT is a possibility, WWE seems to have a great relationship with both. Could also be something 'out of nowhere' like CBS Sports. Will be very interesting to see what happens.

Very interesting move. WWE PPVs have been underpriced for some time. The Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series should have always had an additional tag to them. This will probably make Vince McMahon a lot of money.

Calling my shot: This is where Vince is fully able to get in bed with ESPN and the PPVs end up on ESPN +

Lol, commercials during the fucking Royal Rumble match would be a disaster.

They should sponsor individual entrance spots in the Rumble.

Cole: And coming in at entrant number 15 it’s Roman Reigns brought to you by Hungry Man Frozen Dinners. You know Corey, Roman once eliminated 13 other superstars in a single Royal Rumble match, and folks if you want to eliminate your hunger in a single sitting check out the all new Hungry Man XXL Extreme dinners. Hungry Man: Eat Like a Man.

more people will buy that hulu Disney plus espn + package that would be worth 12.50 if you ad wwe

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: